Introduction
The tarsal bones include a total of seven bones. These include the talus (talus), the calcaneus (calcaneus), the scaphoid (Os naviculare, see: scaphoid fruit in the foot), the cuboid bone (Os cuboideum) and three sphenoid bones (Ossa cuneiformia). A fracture of the talus or heel bone is particularly common.
Both are important for the stability of the foot and for the rolling motion during walking and are part of the hindfoot. The remaining tarsal bones form the transition between the ankle bone, heel bone and the metatarsus. These tarsal bones are significantly smaller than the ankle bone and the heel bone and are connected to each other by many ligaments, so that ligament injuries often accompany a fracture. Since they also form the arch of the foot, like the calcaneus, they must be rebuilt correctly.
Symptoms
Signs of a fracture are an existing deformity, a malposition of the bone or abnormal mobility of the foot. Sometimes a so-called crepitus sound can be heard. A crackling sound is heard when several bones rub against each other.
Furthermore, pain is naturally associated with the fracture. Above all, the pain occurs during movements. Usually there is a swelling of the affected area and sometimes there is also a bruise. A loss of function of the foot is also common. Symptoms such as pain, swelling and loss of function are not certain signs of a fracture, however, and may also indicate a sprained foot or similar.
Causes
A fracture of a tarsal bone is usually caused by a direct application of force, for example in the course of an accident or by a blow with an object on the foot. In most cases, a fracture of the tarsal bone is caused by a fall. The development of a fracture is particularly favoured when the bone structure has already changed as a result of underlying diseases such as osteoporosis or tumours. A fracture can also be caused by a permanent inflammation of the bone. Fractures of the smaller tarsal bones usually occur when the foot is kicked or also when the foot is fallen.
