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If your heel bone (calcaneus) gets fractured, either due to a traumatic injury or as a result of chronic overuse or repetitive stress, recovery can be a long and difficult process. However, you can maximize your chances for a good recovery by following your doctor’s advice and doing a rehab program with a physical therapist. If you develop any long-term issues, such as gait problems or chronic pain, discuss your options with your care team.
Steps
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See your doctor if you have symptoms of a broken heel. If you think you may have broken your heel, call your doctor right away or go to an urgent care clinic. Look for symptoms such as: [1] X Research source
- 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.
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Consent to exams and tests to determine how severe the fracture is. The right treatment will depend on the nature of your injury. Allow the doctor to examine your heel, and provide as many details as you can about how the injury happened. Let them know if you have any other medical conditions (such as diabetes) that might affect the healing process. In addition to a physical exam, they will probably order imaging tests, such as: [2] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- 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.
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Talk to your doctor about nonsurgical treatment options. If the fracture is not too severe and the bones in and around your heel are not displaced, your doctor may recommend immobilizing your foot for several weeks while it heals. They will put a splint, cast, or brace on your foot to keep the bones in place and prevent further damage. Follow your doctor’s instructions for caring for your splint or cast, and follow up as recommended to make sure your foot is healing properly. [3] X Research source
- 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
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Discuss surgery for a more severe fracture. You may need surgery if your heel has multiple fractures, the pieces of bone have moved out of place, or there is damage to the muscle and other soft tissue in your heel. If your doctor recommends surgery, ask them about the risks and benefits of the procedure and discuss what the recovery process will be like. [7] X Research 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.
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Follow your doctor’s home care instructions carefully. Whatever treatment approach you and your doctor decide on, it’s important to care for your foot properly afterwards so that you heal as well as possible. Make regular follow-up appointments with your doctor and call their office right away if you have any concerns or questions. You may need to: [8] X Research source
- 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
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Ask your doctor about your recovery timeframe. It can take a long time to heal from a heel fracture. Your recovery time will depend on a lot of factors, including your overall health, the severity of the fracture, and the treatment you received. Work with your doctor to determine when you can safely begin rehabilitation, and ask for an estimate of how long it will be before you can go back to your regular activities. [12] 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.
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Start moving your foot and ankle as soon as your doctor says it’s safe. Moving your foot and ankle early in the healing process may help you recover faster and prevent some loss of motion. Ask your doctor when you should begin doing simple foot and ankle exercises and how often to do them. [14] X Research source You may need to wait until your pain allows movement or until any surgical wounds have healed. Early exercises may include: [15] X Research source
- 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.
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Work with a physical therapist to build your strength and range of motion. Ask your doctor to recommend a physical therapist who has experience treating foot injuries. Physical therapy is essential for recovering from the injury and maintaining the health of your heel in the future. Physical therapy exercises can help restore strength and function in your foot and ankle, which is an important part of the healing process. In addition to exercises, your therapy program may include: [16] X Trustworthy Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital Go to source
- 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).
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Follow your doctor or therapist’s instructions for walking on your injured foot. Once you begin walking again, you’ll need to be very careful not to aggravate your injury or damage any surgically implanted hardware. Work closely with your doctor and physical therapist to determine how soon you can start putting weight on your foot and what kinds of weight-bearing activities are safe. [17] X Research source
- 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 Trustworthy Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital Go to source
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Care for your overall health while the injury heals. Healing is a complicated process, and it will happen faster if you take proper care of your entire body. While you’re recovering, make sure to eat well, get plenty of good-quality sleep , and get physical activity as recommended by your doctor and physical therapist.
- 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 Trustworthy Source American Heart Association Leading nonprofit that funds medical research and public education Go to source
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Discuss wearing an orthotic device for gait problems. Even with excellent medical care and consistent physical therapy, a fractured heel can sometimes leave you with permanent loss of function in your foot. This can make it difficult for you to walk, especially on uneven surfaces or up steep slopes. Talk to your doctor or physical therapist about using devices to help improve your gait and keep your foot more comfortable. [20] 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.
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Work with your doctor to manage chronic pain. In some cases, you may experience pain or discomfort in your foot even after the fracture itself has completely healed. Let your doctor know if you continue to feel pain after treatment and rehabilitation. They can perform tests and exams to determine the cause of your pain and find ways to treat or manage it. [21] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- 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.
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Ask about treatment options if you have nerve pain after surgery. If you get surgery to repair your fracture, there’s a risk of damage to the nerves in your foot. If you experience nerve pain after surgery or as a result of damage from the injury, talk to your doctor about possible treatments. A few common options for managing nerve pain include: [22] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- 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.
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Talk to your doctor about whether you need further surgery. You may need additional surgery if your bone heals improperly or if you develop further complications, such as arthritis of the heel. Work closely with your doctor to monitor your healing progress, and discuss whether more surgery might be helpful for you. [23] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- 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 Trustworthy Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital Go to source
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Tips
- Recovering from a serious injury like a heel fracture can be stressful and frustrating. Don't hesitate to reach out to your friends and family if you need extra practical or emotional support. Your doctor can also offer advice if you find yourself struggling emotionally.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/find-a-program-or-service/orthopaedics/foot-and-ankle-pain/foot-fracture-and-ankle-fracture-treatments
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22952-calcaneal-stress-fracture
- ↑ https://www.foothealthfacts.org/conditions/fractures-of-the-calcaneus-(heel-bone-fractures)
- ↑ https://www.foothealthfacts.org/conditions/fractures-of-the-calcaneus-(heel-bone-fractures)
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sports-injuries/treatment/
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000521.htm
- ↑ https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/calcaneus-heel-bone-fractures/
- ↑ https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/calcaneus-heel-bone-fractures/
- ↑ https://www.foothealthfacts.org/conditions/fractures-of-the-calcaneus-(heel-bone-fractures)
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22952-calcaneal-stress-fracture
- ↑ https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/infections-after-fracture/
- ↑ https://ota.org/for-patients/find-info-body-part/3727
- ↑ https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/find-a-program-or-service/orthopaedics/foot-and-ankle-pain/foot-fracture-and-ankle-fracture-treatments
- ↑ https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=zp4491
- ↑ https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/staying-healthy/exercise-and-bone-health/
- ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/sports-injuries/common-dance-injuries-and-prevention-tips
- ↑ https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/calcaneus-heel-bone-fractures/
- ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/sports-injuries/common-dance-injuries-and-prevention-tips
- ↑ https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/quit-smoking-tobacco
- ↑ https://nyulangone.org/conditions/muscular-dystrophy/treatments/mobility-aids-orthotic-devices-for-muscular-dystrophy
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4798-chronic-pain
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3748881/
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15241-bone-fractures
- ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/fractures
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To recover from a broken heal, follow the treatment advice your doctor gives you and work on rehabilitation exercises once healing begins. Wear a splint or cast for around 6 to 8 weeks, during which time you should also avoid putting any weight on your injured foot. If your doctor prescribed antibiotics or painkillers, make sure to take them to prevent infection and manage the pain. Once your doctor says it’s safe to do so, begin moving your foot and performing basic exercises, which can speed up the healing process. For example, stretch your foot out in front of you while sitting down and pull your toes back towards you, which is known as an ankle pump. As your heel improves, ask your doctor to refer you to a physical therapist, who will perform activities like swimming and massages to strengthen your heel. For tips from our Medical co-author on how to manage chronic pain in your heel, keep reading!
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Reader Success Stories
- "I broke both of my heels 2 weeks ago. It has been so difficult learning the wheelchair, my limitations, using the scoot board to get on/off commode. The article answered or helped to answer some of my concerns: length of recovery, use after recovery. It is going to be a long process. Got my head up and trying keep a good attitude. " ..." more
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"I broke both of my heels 2 weeks ago. It has been so difficult learning the wheelchair, my limitations, using the scoot board to get on/off commode. The article answered or helped to answer some of my concerns: length of recovery, use after recovery. It is going to be a long process. Got my head up and trying keep a good attitude. "
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"Great info, it really helped knowing how others treated their broken heel issue. I broke my heel last week, and only have 4 weeks to get back to work or I may lose my position! I'm praying that I can at least step on it so I can return for a few months, then I can plan a surgery date later this year. "
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"General information about what to expect while recovering from heel fracture is helpful. I felt I wasn't making enough progress, this article showed me that I was overestimating the time for recovery and trying to do too much too soon. Thank you."
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"My husband just broke his heel and we are at the doctors. No info as it is too early to tell, but this is a good guide to what we can expect. "
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"I broke both my heels, which required extensive surgery. It's helpful to know the problems I will face along the long road to recovery."
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