Pain in and around the heel, which may get worse when you move your foot or try to walk Bruising and swelling of the heel Difficulty walking or putting weight on your injured foot Go to the emergency room if you notice severe symptoms, such as an obvious deformity of your foot or an open wound at the injury site.
X-rays, which can confirm or rule out a broken heel and show whether the bones in your foot have been displaced by the injury. A CT scan, from which your doctor can get a better idea of the type and severity of your fracture(s). They may order a CT scan if the X-ray confirms that you have a fracture in your heel.
Your doctor will probably recommend the RICE treatment (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) to help your foot heal and reduce inflammation. This treatment involves keeping weight off the injured foot, applying ice packs, and using a bandage to gently compress the area. You’ll also need to keep your foot elevated as much as possible. [4] X Research source You will likely need to wear your splint or cast for at least 6 to 8 weeks. Don’t put any weight on your injured foot until your doctor says it is safe to do so. Your doctor may also give you additional home care instructions, such as keeping your foot elevated above your heart level and using ice packs on the injury to reduce swelling. [5] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source Some heel fractures are good candidates for a procedure called “closed reduction,” in which the doctor manipulates your foot to move displaced bone fragments into the correct position. You would be placed under anesthesia during this procedure. [6] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
If the tissues around the bone are injured and inflamed, your doctor may recommend waiting a few days for the swelling to go down before performing surgery. In other cases (e. g. , if there is an open wound at the site of the break), it’s important to operate right away. The surgery may involve putting screws or plates in your heel to keep the bone fragments in place. You will need to wear a cast for several weeks after the surgery and may have to wear a special boot for a while after the cast is removed.
Use crutches, a walker, or another assistive device to keep weight off your injured foot while it’s healing. [9] X Research source Take over-the-counter or prescribed pain medications to manage pain and inflammation, especially after surgery. Always take these medications according to your doctor’s instructions. [10] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Take antibiotics to treat or prevent an infection. [11] X Research source
Depending on your condition, you may be able to start working on physical therapy and other rehabilitation activities within the first week after treatment. [13] X Research source If your fracture was relatively minor, it will probably be around 3-4 months before you can return to your normal activities. For a more severe or complicated fracture, your recovery time may be 1 or 2 years. Unfortunately, many heel fractures never heal completely. You may experience some permanent loss of function in your foot and ankle. Talk to your doctor or a physical therapist about what to expect.
Ankle pumps. Sit or lie down with your leg extended straight out in front of you. Point your toes away from you, then pull them back toward you. Alphabets. Point the toes of your injured foot and pretend you are using them to write the alphabet. Figure 8s. Point your toes and move your foot in a figure 8 shape. Inversion and eversion. Place your foot flat on the floor and roll it from side to side so that the sole faces first inward, then outward.
Massage to promote healing and prevent stiffness in the injured area. Regular evaluation of your strength and range of motion throughout the healing process. Low-impact full-body exercises (e. g. , swimming) to keep the rest of you in shape while your foot is healing. Gait training as you begin to walk again. Help with learning to use assistive devices (such as crutches or a walker) and orthotic devices (such as braces or special shoe inserts).
Your doctor or therapist will give you instructions for how to use devices such as crutches, a walker, or a special shoe to minimize the load on your foot. Once you’re ready to start walking on your own, you’ll need to increase the amount of weight you put on your foot gradually. For example, you might increase the load by 20 pounds (9. 1 kg) every 2-3 days until you are putting your full weight on your foot again. [18] X Research source
If you have a medical condition that might affect your healing process, such as diabetes, work with your doctor to make sure it is well-managed during and after your recovery period. If you smoke, talk to your doctor about how to quit. Smoking can slow down the healing process. [19] X Research source
Simple modifications to your shoe may be helpful in some cases. For example, you might need to wear heel pads, lifts, or heel cups in your shoes. Your doctor or physical therapist may also recommend special custom shoes or a foot brace.
Common causes of chronic pain after a heel fracture include damage to the soft tissue around the bone and failure of the bone to heal properly (e. g. , if the fragments are still not aligned properly after treatment). Depending on what’s causing your pain, your doctor may recommend treatments such as an orthotic device (e. g. , a shoe insert or foot brace), physical therapy, medications, or surgery.
Steroid injections to reduce inflammation around the nerves. A nerve block, which involves injecting an anesthetic into the nerve to numb the pain. Medications to relieve nerve pain, such as amitriptyline, gabapentin, or carbamazepine. Physical therapy to promote faster healing.
In some cases, it’s necessary to fuse your heel bone to the talus (the bone that forms the lower part of your ankle joint). This surgery prevents movement between the bones that can aggravate your injuries. [24] X Research source
