How long for calcaneus bone to heal

The calcaneus connects with the talus and cuboid bones. The connection between the talus and calcaneus forms the subtalar joint. This joint is important for normal foot function. The calcaneus is often compared to a hardboiled egg because it has a thin, hard shell on the outside and softer, spongy bone on the inside. When the outer shell is broken, the bone tends to collapse and become fragmented.

For this reason, calcaneal fractures are severe injuries. Furthermore, if the fracture involves the joints, there is the potential for long-term consequences, such as arthritis and chronic pain.

Most calcaneal fractures are the result of a traumatic event—most commonly, falling from a height, such as a ladder, or being in an automobile accident where the heel is crushed against the floorboard. Calcaneal fractures can also occur with other types of injuries, such as an ankle sprain.

A smaller number of calcaneal fractures are stress fractures, caused by overuse or repetitive stress on the heel bone. Fractures involving the joints intra-articular fractures are the most severe calcaneal fractures and include damage to the cartilage the connective tissue between two bones.

The talus is a small bone that sits between the heel bone calcaneus and the two bones of the lower leg tibia and fibula. Most injuries to the talus result from motor vehicle accidents, although falls from heights also can injure the talus. A talar fracture that is left untreated or that doesn't heal properly will create problems for you later.

Your foot function will be impaired, you will develop arthritis and chronic pain, and the bone may collapse. Most fractures of the talus require surgery to minimize later complications. The orthopaedic surgeon will realign the bones and use metal screws to hold the pieces in place. If there are small fragments of bone, they may be removed and bone grafts used to restore the structural integrity of the joint. After the surgery, your foot will be put in a cast for six to eight weeks and you will not be able to put any weight on the foot for at least three months.

After surgery, your foot will be put in a cast for six to eight weeks and you will not be able to put any weight on the foot for at least three months. As the bones begin to heal, your doctor may order X-rays or a magnetic resonance image MRI to check on the healing. We are here to help! Calcaneal Stress Fracture The calcaneus is more commonly known as the heel bone.

On this page. What causes Calcaneal Stress Fracture? Symptoms With a stress fracture of the calcaneus, athletes usually experience pain in the heel that starts with activity and becomes constant over time. Non-operative treatment Most stress fractures of the calcaneus will heal with non-surgical measures. Surgical Treatment Surgery is rarely required to treat stress fractures.

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