A fracture of the calcaneus, or heel bone, can be a painful and disabling injury. This type of fracture commonly occurs during a high-energy event — such as a car crash or a fall from a ladder — when the heel is crushed under the weight of the body.

Calcaneus fractures can be quite severe. Treatment often involves surgery to reconstruct the normal anatomy of the heel and restore mobility so that patients can return to normal activity

When the bone breaks and fragments stick out through the skin or if a wound penetrates down to the bone, the fracture is called an open fracture. An open fracture often causes more damage to the surrounding muscles, tendons, and ligaments and takes a longer time to heal. Open fractures have a higher risk of infection in both the wound and the bone. Immediate treatment to clean the wound is required to prevent infection

Cause :

The calcaneus is most often fractured during a fall from a height or a motor vehicle collision

  • If you land on your feet from a fall, your body’s weight is directed downward. This drives the talus bone directly into the calcaneus.

  • In a motor vehicle crash, the calcaneus is driven up against the talus if the heel is crushed against the floorboard.

Symptoms :

Patients with calcaneus fractures usually experience :

  • Pain

  • Bruising

  • Swelling

  • Heel deformity

  • Inability to put weight on the heel or walk

Diagnosis :

X-ray and CT Scan are two basic tools to diagnose calcaneus fracture

Treatment :

Nonsurgical Treatment

Immobilization. A cast, splint, or brace will hold the bones in your foot in proper position while they heal. You may have to wear a cast for 6 to 8 weeks

Surgical Treatment

If the bones have shifted out of place (displaced), it may require surgery.

Timing of surgery

If the skin around your fracture has not been broken, one should wait until swelling has gone down before having surgery. Elevating your leg and keeping it immobilized for several days will decrease swelling. It will also give injured skin a chance to recover. Waiting before the operation may improve your overall recovery from surgery and decrease your risk of infection.