Calcaneal injuries are one of the most common fractures orthopedic surgeons have to deal with on a regular basis, but they’re not always easy to manage. In fact, the calcaneus, commonly referred to as the heel bone, is the most frequently injured bone in a person’s foot. Just like there’s no wrong way to eat a Reese’s, there’s no one way a person injures their calcaneus.
Below, we’ll examine the signs, symptoms and prevention tips of for dealing with a calcaneal fracture.
My Heel Hurts
People injure their calcaneal in several different ways, but they all result from the heel absorbing a great deal of force or rotational stress. Oftentimes I see an uptick in the number of calcaneal fractures during the fall season for a variety of reasons. The fall weather tends to make the ground more slippery, which means runners and athletes may injure themselves more easily if they can’t keep their footing. Also, now is the time when Minnesotans climb ladders to clean their gutters, hang holiday decorations or reach their deer stand. One misstep can lead to a hard fall.
Falls from a great height are the most common way a person fractures their calcaneal. Although your heel is padded, it is not designed to take a large amount of force at once.
Symptoms of a Calcaneal Fracture
Symptoms will vary based on the severity of the fracture. Some people will be able to walk or limp after suffering the injury, while others won’t be able to place weight on the foot. Regardless of the severity, most patients with a calcaneal fracture have to deal with:
- Pain
- Bruising
- Swelling
If left untreated, patients may eventually develop a permanent deformity of their foot or a widening of their heel. Non-surgical treatment used to be the preferred method for treating calcaneal fractures, but the fracture never completely heals without surgery, so many patients were left to deal with minor discomfort for the rest of their lives. Today, nearly all non-displaced calcaneal fractures are treated surgically. We’ll dive into the specifics in our follow-up post.
Preventing Calcaneal Fractures
Preventing calcaneal fractures can be a little tricky, since nobody plans to fall out of a tree or off a ladder, but steps can be taken to minimize your risk. If you plan on climbing a ladder, be sure you have another person holding the bottom of the ladder for support. If you’re a hunter, consider investing in a lightweight hunter safety harness so you don’t fall out of the stand in the event you doze off for a second.
When out exercising in the fall, stick to well-groomed, coarse paths so you don’t slip. If you’re dead set on running through some of the picturesque nature trails Minnesota has to offer, try to do your run in the afternoon after the morning dew has evaporated. The dryer the path, the safer you’ll be.
Next week, we’ll examine the treatment and rehabilitation options for dealing with calcaneal fractures.
