History

Following an operation, the patient may only put minimal weight on the affected leg.This means that the leg may only be partially loaded for about six weeks with an initial maximum of 10 to 15 kg. There are also shoes specifically for such injuries, so-called “heel relief shoes”, which are recommended to patients. In order to support the healing process, decongestant medication should also be taken.

If pain continues to exist, the use of painkillers is indicated. In addition, the leg should occasionally be elevated, as this promotes wound healing. The long-term course and prognosis of a calcaneal fracture are highly dependent on the severity of the injury.

Uncomplicated fractures heal completely and without consequences in up to 90% of cases. Unfortunately, however, complicated fractures are more likely to have a long-term course. The fracture can lead to joint wear (arthrosis) between the heel bone and the ankle bone.

Such arthrosis can sometimes be quite painful and must be treated with the help of insoles or orthopedic shoes. Other possible long-term consequences are malpositioning of the foot. All these complications can occur after both conservative and surgical treatment.

Heel bone fracture, orthosis

In the case of a calcaneal fracture, therapy can be carried out by surgery or conservatively by sparing the heel bone. In both cases a so-called orthosis or in this case heel relief orthesis can increase the patient’s quality of life and help the patient not to be too immobile despite the fracture. An orthosis is an orthopedic shoe which is individually made for the patient and in this case completely relieves the heel bone after the fracture.

In contrast to a plaster cast, the patient can walk without any problems with the help of this heel relief orthosis and can therefore be mobilized again more quickly, which is particularly useful as an anti-thrombosis prophylaxis. An orthosis is used after a heel fracture regardless of whether the patient has had surgery before or whether the heel fracture was treated conservatively. An orthosis can also be used in case of bilateral heel fractures as the patient is able to move continuously and does not need a wheelchair to keep both heels immobile. A heel relief orthosis can also be used to stiffen the lower ankle joint, which is sometimes necessary if the heel fracture does not heal completely as desired.