Calcaneal Fracture

The calcaneus bone refers to the quadrangular heel bone located at the rear part of the foot. It is the largest of the tarsal bones and supports our entire body weight when we walk. It consists of a tough outer part which encloses a soft spongy bone. A calcaneal fracture is one of the most common tarsal bone fractures which is commonly caused due to overuse injuries or a fall from a great height. Since this heel bone supports the lateral column of the foot and carries our entire body weight while walking, damage to the calcaneus gives rise to pain while walking. If left untreated, it can cause an abnormal gait. Generally, the symptoms of a fractured calcaneus vary depending on the extent of injury. Since the most common symptom of a fractured heel bone is heel pain, those suffering from persistent heel pain must get themselves medically examined. Here's some information on common causes, symptoms and treatment of a fractured calcaneus.

Causes and Symptoms of a Fractured Calcaneus

As mentioned earlier, the calcaneal bone might suffer from damage as a result of a fall from a great height or other accidents involving this bone. Calcaneal stress fractures are very common in runners. People involved in sports such as soccer, rugby, hockey, basketball and athletics are generally more vulnerable. Overuse injuries could also be responsible for causing calcaneal stress fractures. Calcaneus could also get damaged due to forceful impact to the heel bone due to activities such as repetitive marching and rock-climbing. If the outer shell of the calcaneus gets fractured due to such injuries, the sufferer could experience symptoms such as inflammation, swelling and acute heel pain. Damage to the calcaneus bone gives rise to severe pain while walking or during other weight bearing physical activities. Other symptoms include warmth, redness, and bruising in the affected heel. The intensity of the force and position of the calcaneus during the injury will determine the extent of damage and severity of the symptoms. A fall from a great height could lead to a compound fracture. In case of open injuries where the skin around the fractured bone has broken, the sufferer will experience severe pain. Surgery is a necessity under these circumstances.

Treatment Options

Since heel pain is the most common symptom of this fracture, people suffering from persistent heel pain must get themselves medically examined. The treatment options will vary depending on the extent of damage caused by the fracture. Since a fractured heel bone gives rise to heel pain, anti-inflammatory medicines are generally prescribed for treating heel pain. The symptoms of the fractures might not always be conspicuous and it is suggested that the affected individual should get an X-ray or a bone scan done to confirm or rule out the possibility of a bone fracture. Once the extent of damage has been ascertained with the help of imaging procedures, closed reduction procedure or open surgery will be performed to treat this condition. Surgery is usually needed in case of a compound fracture. If the outer shell is badly damaged and the bone has been fragmented, realignment of the bones will be required. Taking rest is extremely important for speeding up the process of healing. Under no circumstances should the patient put weight on the fractured foot. The patient will be required to wear a cast until the tarsal bone heals. This is to keep the affected foot immobilized and avoid any further complications. The patient should use crutches during the recovery period. To prevent swelling, the affected leg should be kept elevated while sleeping. Once the X-ray results reveal that the bone has completely recovered, the cast can be removed. The patient should also go for physiotherapy sessions to learn exercises that will help in strengthening the calcaneus.

The calcaneus bone carries our total body weight and affects our ability to walk which is why a fractured calcaneus should be taken seriously. If left untreated, such a fracture could give rise to a deformed gait. A delay in treatment could give rise to several complications and one must therefore seek medical help on experiencing the aforementioned symptoms.