Calcaneus Fractures
Causes, symptoms and treatment methods
Calcaneus fractures are uncommon fractures, but their occurrence may lead to serious complications. What are the causes of heel fractures? What are its symptoms and treatment methods?
Causes of heel bone fractures
Calcaneus fractures occur as a result of collision accidents, such as falling from high places or car accidents, while cortical fractures may occur as a result of excessive stress on the heel bone or a sprained ankle.
Symptoms of heel bone fractures
The most important symptoms of Calcaneus include:
Feeling sudden pain.
Inability to bear body weight on the heel.
Swollen heel.
Deformed heel shape.
Inability to walk normally.
Diagnosis of Calcaneus fractures
The doctor finds out from the patient how the heel was injured, then he examines the heel in bed, and the doctor requests an X-ray to determine the degree of the fracture and determine the best method of treatment.
Treatment of heel bone fractures
First: non-surgical treatment
Nonsurgical treatment is recommended if the broken bones are not too far apart from each other. The foot is placed in a cast or splint until complete recovery, taking into account not to put any pressure on the heel at all, and the patient can use a crutch to help him walk.
Second: surgical treatment
Doctors resort to surgery if the broken bones are too far apart in order to restore the normal shape of the heel by installing screws and plates that support the joint in place until it is completely healed. The treatment method is determined based on the type of fracture and the patient’s health condition.