Fractures of the heel bone

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Fractures occur in the heel bone (calcaneus), located at the back of the foot.

Heel fractures usually result from great force and thus are often accompanied by knee and spine injuries.
If the heel bone is fractured, the heel is tender, and the foot and ankle are usually swollen and cannot bear weight.
Usually, doctors can diagnose heel fractures based on x-rays, but sometimes computed tomography is needed.
Doctors consult an orthopedist to determine the best treatment for heel fractures.
Treatment may consist of protection (usually by a splint), rest, ice, compression, and elevation (PRICE), followed by a cast, or surgery to put the broken pieces of bone back in place and keep them in place.

(See also Overview of Fractures.)
Only about 1 to 2% of all fractures are heel bone fractures. However, such fractures can lead to long-lasting problems (such as arthritis), especially if the fractures are not diagnosed and treated promptly.
Heel fractures usually result from great force, as when people land on their feet after falling from a height (such as falling off a ladder). Other causes include car crashes and sports-related injuries. Because heel fractures require great force, the knees and/or spine are often also injured.
Some heel fractures extend into the joint, fracturing the cartilage that enables the joint to move smoothly.
Stress fractures may also occur in the heel bone, particularly in long-distance runners and other athletes. Stress fractures are incomplete breaks in the bone caused by repeated stress rather than a single injury.