The heel bone or calcaneus, lying below the ankle joint, is the biggest tarsal bone. Along with the talus, it makes up the subtalar joint which enables the lateral movement in the hindfoot, essential for balance, particularly on bumpy terrain.
Fractures
Foot and ankle fractures, or breaks in the bone, come in many different varieties: ankle fracture, heel bone fracture, metatarsal fracture, 5th metatarsal fracture, pilon fracture, Lisfranc fracture and snowboarder’s fracture, to name just a few.
Overusing the bones can cause stress fractures and these occur frequently in runners or others pursuing sports involving repetitive strain.
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What causes ankle fractures?
An ankle fracture is characterised by a break in one or more of the three ankle bones: the tibia, fibula and talus. The two ankle joints: the ankle joint (the point at which the tibia, fibula and talus meet) and the syndesmosis joint (located between the tibia and fibula) may also be affected. Ankle fractures are a familiar injury which can result in instability, if not treated properly, leading to the probability of further problems.
The reason for the frequency of ankle fractures is that the ankle bears your entire bodyweight and endures additional strain when running, jumping or participating in sport.
Fractures
What causes an ankle fracture?
The reason for the frequency of ankle fractures is that the ankle bears your entire bodyweight and endures additional strain when running, jumping or participating in sport.
What are the symptoms of ankle fracture?
An ankle fracture can be signified by a cracking sound at the time of the injury, swelling, intense pain, bruising, tenderness, a bone protruding from the fracture (known as a compound or open injury) and an inability to place any weight on your ankle. The ankle can also look deformed and the shock of the injury may initiate a bout of nausea and dizziness.
How is an ankle fracture diagnosed?
Your consultant will invite you to discuss your symptoms when you meet and will advise you on the best treatment for you. X-rays may be organised to identify the extent of the injury and, in more involved cases, a CT or MRI scan may be required.
How is an ankle fracture treated?
The kind of fracture you have will dictate your treatment. A dislocated ankle may need to undergo a realignment procedure (reduction) to avoid issues relating to the supply of blood to the foot, and nerve damage. A badly broken ankle, or open ankle, may require ankle fusion surgery to realign and repair the bones.
In the majority of cases, the ankle is placed in a cast or splint for approximately six weeks and crutches are often used to avoid putting weight on the joint. Your consultant may also recommend a personalised rehabilitation programme of physiotherapy.
Heel bone (Calcaneum) fracture
Heel bone (Calcaneum) fracture
What causes a heel bone fracture?
A relatively uncommon injury, a heel bone fracture or calcaneal fracture, can be caused by a fall from height, landing on your feet, as experienced in a fall from a ladder or from twisting your ankle. If the heel takes the full impact of your bodyweight, it can become wider and shorter.
What are the symptoms of a heel bone fracture?
Pain, swelling, bruising, and being unable to place weight on your heel to walk are common symptoms.
How is a heel bone fracture diagnosed?
At your initial consultation, you will talk through your symptoms with your consultant, who will outline the most appropriate treatment for you. X-rays and CT scans may also be organised for further investigation of your condition.
How is a heel bone fracture treated?
The type of fracture you have will determine your treatment. A twisted ankle can, for instance, lead to a minor crack in the bone, however being in a car accident can cause the heel bone to shatter, otherwise known as a comminuted fracture. The talus bone can be forced into the heel bone when you land on your feet from a fall. The greater the impact, the greater the probability that the heel bone will be damaged.
Should no displacement of bones occur, it may be possible to take the non-surgical treatment route by wearing a cast, brace or splint and avoiding putting weight on the foot for approximately eight weeks.
It may be necessary for your consultant to perform surgery to realign displaced bones, repair your fracture to try to ensure that long-term issues such as pain and arthritis do not occur. Your consultant may also recommend a personalised rehabilitation programme of physiotherapy.
