Foot Injuries

Heel Fractures

Breaking the heal bone is no easy feat (no pun intended), as it requires a great deal of force. Common causes of heel fractures tend to be serious accidents that lead to additional and more devastating injuries, such as automobile collisions and falls from a height.

Symptoms of heel fracture include swelling, stiffness and pain around the outer ankle, below the lower leg bone (fibula) or in the heel pad. A doctor should be seen immediately when these symptoms are detected, as an improperly healed heel can lead to severe problems in the future.

If pieces of broken bone have not been pushed out of place, surgery is not generally needed to cure a heel fracture. The foot has to be elevated above the level of the heart and wrapped to keep the bones from shifting. Ice packs should be applied to reduce swelling and pain, and a splint may be prescribed. Absolutely no weight should be put on the foot until the bone is completely healed, which generally takes a minimum of six to eight weeks.

If the bones have shifted (a displaced fracture), surgery is needed to insert a metal plate and small screws used to hold the loose bones in place. A bone graft may also be necessary to aid healing. No weight can be put on the foot for up to at least 10 weeks after surgery.