Calcaneal fracture

The calcaneus is also known as the heel bone and is the largest and most frequently fractured of the tarsal bones in the foot. The main job of the calcaneus is to transmit the majority of the body’s weight from the talus bone (foot bone making up part of the ankle joint) to the ground. It therefore follows that a fracture to this bone may not only cause significant pain and discomfort but also huge disruptions in mobility and therefore everyday life.

What causes a calcaneal fracture?

This type of fracture is most often the result of a high-energy collision such as a road traffic accident or fall from a height. For this reason calcaneal fractures are often severe and may result in problems over the longer term. Calcaneal injuries often cause damage to the sub-talar joint (in the foot), causing it to become stiff and hence resulting in difficulty walking on sloped surfaces or uneven ground.

It should be noted that fractures can happen for no obvious reason at all. Therefore, it is very important that your Doctor is fully aware of your mechanism of injury so that he/she can decide whether further investigations are needed.

What are the symptoms of a calcaneal fracture?

Symptoms may include one or more of the following:

Significant pain in your heel, also spreading to your foot and ankle
Swelling of the foot and ankle
Pain and difficulty walking and weight-bearing
Bruising around the foot
Tenderness to touch, particularly around the heel

Physiotherapy treatment for a calcaneal fracture

If you have fractured your calcaneus, the extent of this will determine whether or not surgery is indicated. Either way your leg will usually be placed in a POP and you will be advised by your consult to rest (usually 6-12 weeks) and in most cases none weight-bear. Once they are happy for you to start moving the foot again and the POP is removed, physiotherapy treatment is extremely beneficial in order reduce your risk of re-injury and help you return to sport and daily activities promptly.

Physiotherapy treatment at Cleethorpes Physio Clinic may include: