What does a calcaneal stress fracture feel like?

Pain that is most intense in one spot on the heel (although the pain may radiate out to other areas) and is painful to the touch. Swelling or redness in the affected foot. Pain that improves somewhat with a long period of rest.

How do you diagnose a calcaneal stress fracture?

X-rays may be ordered to get an image of your heel, however if the fracture if very small or recent, it may not show up on the x-ray. Other imaging tests, such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test, may be ordered to detect a stress fracture in its early stages.

Where does a calcaneal stress fracture hurt?

First and foremost, calcaneal stress fractures cause pain in the heel. Usually, pain occurs with activity such as walking or running. In addition, people report swelling in the heel and limping or difficulty walking.

When can I walk after calcaneus surgery?

Exercises of the foot and ankle are to be encouraged at about 2 weeks after surgery, with exaggerated motions of the ankle, by writing out the alphabet. Weight-bearing is restricted for 10 12 weeks, but moving around with crutches or a walker device is encouraged to help prevent blood clots.

What causes a bone to fall off the calcaneus?

Fractures that don’t involve the joint (extra-articular fractures) include: Those caused by trauma, such as avulsion fractures (in which a piece of bone is pulled off of the calcaneus by the Achilles tendon or a ligament) or crush injuries resulting in multiple fracture fragments Stress fractures, caused by overuse or mild injury.

How are calcaneal fractures treated in the foot?

Treatment of calcaneal fractures is dictated by the type of fracture and extent of the injury. The foot and ankle surgeon will discuss with the patient the best treatment—whether surgical or nonsurgical—for the fracture. For some fractures, nonsurgical treatments may be used.

Can a calcaneus fracture be repaired without surgery?

Surgery to repair a calcaneus fracture can restore the normal shape of the bone but is sometimes associated with complications, such as wound healing problems, infection, and nerve damage. Nonsurgical treatment of some fractures, however, can also lead to long-term complications, such as pain, arthritis, and a limp.

Can a high energy fracture of the calcaneus occur?

As a rule, the greater the impact, the more the calcaneus is damaged. In a high-energy fracture, other injuries, such as fractures of the spine, hip, or other heel, can occur. (Left) In some injuries, the talus is forced downward and acts like a wedge to fracture the calcaneus.

How is a bone broken in the ankle repaired?

Incisions are made through the skin of the ankle where the bones are broken. The breaks in the bone are then repositioned and held in place with implants (screws and plates). After the ankle fracture is repaired, the patient’s leg is placed in either a protective splint, cast or boot.

What happens to your foot after a calcaneal fracture?

Subtalar arthritis. This is a chronic pain condition that commonly affects patients with healed calcaneal fractures. Following surgery, your foot and ankle specialist will likely immobilize your foot in a cast to allow the bone and joints time to heal.

What happens to your ankle after ankle surgery?

Left, a bimalleolar ankle fracture before surgery. Right, the ankle fracture after it has been fixed. Surgical treatment of ankle fractures allows patients to regain ankle function while the bones and joint heal. Immediately after surgery, your ankle will be immobilized for a few weeks.