CALCANEAL FRACTURE RECOVERY FAQs:

Can you walk on a fractured calcaneus?

It’s not recommended unless it’s a very small hairline fracture of the calcaneus. If it is a fair-sized calcaneus fracture or if the bones have shifted then you will be on crutches for 4-6 weeks or may require surgery to align the bones.

Is a calcaneus fracture serious?

Yes, calcaneus fractures are serious. Even small calcaneus fractures can turn into a big problem if you do not give them time to heal. Something that could have healed up nicely with crutches or a boot might require surgery if not treated properly.

Can a heel fracture heal on its own?

Yes, a heel fracture can heal on its own, if you take the weight off the heel by using crutches or using a cast/airboot the bone will heal if it is aligned correctly. If the fracture caused the bones to shift then you may need surgery to make sure the bones are aligned when it heals. Otherwise, you could have serious complications with pain when walking.

How do you know if your heel is fractured?

If there’s swelling, bruising and you can’t put weight on the heel to walk 10 ft then it is most likely fractured.

Does a broken heel need a cast?

No, some broken heels will not require a cast as long as you can keep your weight off of it. Bigger heel breaks will require a cast or boot to make sure the bones don’t shift from your weight being on the broken heel. How can the bones shift? You accidentally put your weight on it or swelling sets in around the bones slowing down the healing.

Physical Therapy Protocol For Non-Surgical Recovery:

 Stage 1:

In this stage you will be in a walking boot or a cast. This stage will last 4-6 weeks until the heel bone is well on it’s way to healing. You can perform laying down leg exercises or sitting leg exercises to keep your leg muscles from wasting. You can also ride a bike or rowing machine for cardio because you will not put full weight on the cast.

Stage 2 :

You will come out of the cast. Most of your calf and lower leg muscles will have shrunk. Learning to walk again after a broken heel will be difficult for a few days. Your calf will also burn if you walk for long stretches because it is out of shape and doesn’t have enough blood supply for the muscle. As you walk, you will build muscle and blood supply to the muscle. Your weight and gravity will slowly strengthen the bone in the healed calcaneus fracture.

You can start doing body weight exercises like squats, heel raises at this point to gain the strength back. Ankle ROM exercises are also necessary to get full range of motion and mobility back in the ankle.

With walking, focus on losing the limp and putting the weight through the heel and rolling off on your toes for normal walking mechanics.

Stage 3:

Third Stage consists of regaining strength and toughness in the foot. We will start single leg exercises (see video below). We will start doing 50% speed jogging, agility drills, hopping and jumping type activities.

Return to sport training begins after 12 weeks and once approved by the surgeon after he/she reviews your x-rays to see how the bone has healed.

Physical Therapy Protocol For Surgery Recovery:

Stage 1:

This stage of PT is usually from weeks 2-6. We want to work on ROM, strength and flexibility, all in non-weight bearing. So all exercises should be sitting or lying down.

Stage 2:

Second stage of PT involves starting to put weight through the foot, we start gently and eventually work up to putting full weight through the foot by the end of this stage. Walking training also starts in this stage.

Focus on losing the limp and putting the weight through the heel and rolling off on your toes like normal walking.

Stage 3:

Third Stage consists of regaining strength and toughness in the foot. We will start single leg exercises (see video below). We will start doing 50% speed jogging, agility drills, hopping and jumping type activities.

Return to sport training begins after 12 weeks and once approved by the surgeon after he/she reviews your x-rays to see how the bone has healed.

Book a consultation today: https://vancityphysio.janeapp.com/