Fracture of the calcaneum, late sequelae

The late consequences of a calcaneal fracture should not be underestimated and unfortunately, in comparison to other fractures, are quite common in such a complicated fracture. If a patient decides to undergo surgical therapy, he or she must expect the usual late consequences of surgery. On the one hand, after surgery for a calcaneal fracture, a blood clot can form in the veins of the leg, which is only lying still in bed, because the veins can no longer pump the blood up from the feet because the muscles of the leg can feel the work of the leg.

This blood clot, which is also called a thrombus because it consists of red blood platelets, the thrombocytes, can now enter the lung and cause a pulmonary embolism, which is fatal in the worst case. Since the leg must always be immobilized after a heel bone fracture, the patient is therefore also given anti-thrombosis injections and thrombosis stockings to avoid the late consequences of pulmonary embolism after a heel bone fracture. Another dreaded late consequence of a calcaneal fracture is wound healing disorders.

These occur particularly frequently in smokers or diabetics. It is possible that the wounds do not heal properly after the operation and, in the worst case, become infected. In this case only a high-dosage antibiotic therapy, which is administered through the vein, and in the worst case a new operation in which the wounds are cleaned in a sterile operating room, can help.

An additional late consequence of a calcaneal fracture is an inadequate fusion of the fragments of the calcaneus, which can then lead to the patient having permanent problems walking and/or developing a malposition of the foot. Such a defective healing is a rather common late consequence of a calcaneal fracture compared to other fractures and should therefore always be considered. Due to the faulty healing, premature joint wear and tear (arthrosis) in the lower ankle joint can then occur.A further late consequence of a calcaneal fracture is that, due to premature osteoarthritis in the lower ankle joint, the patient can only move the affected leg in pain within a few months or years after the operation or needs another operation to counteract the osteoarthritis. Stiffening and a very painful lower ankle joint are thus further possible late consequences of a calcaneal fracture.