Symptoms | Heel bone fracture

Symptoms

The most important symptom of a calcaneal fracture is the pain that sets in immediately after the triggering event in the affected heel. This pain is often so severe that it makes it impossible to stand and walk with strain. The mobility of a part of the ankle joint, namely in the joint between the heel and the ankle bone, is partially or completely eliminated, at least if the fracture is accompanied by joint involvement. Often, the damaged heel is also conspicuous by a swelling or widening in the area of the fracture or a bruise (haematoma). Deformations of the foot, such as a flat foot, can also occur beyond this.

Further indications

A calcaneal fracture is a very serious fracture which is usually only caused by severe external trauma such as a fall from a great height. The first signs of a calcaneal fracture are, on the one hand, severe pain in the area of the rear foot, especially when it occurs. On the other hand, it quickly leads to larger swellings in the area of the calcaneus and to bleeding (hematomas).

These hematomas can extend over the entire area of the calcaneus up to the lower leg. The swelling can also become increasingly larger and can also include the lower leg. If there is also severe muscle swelling, the lower leg muscles may pinch nerves, which in turn leads to numbness in the foot or lower leg area. Such muscle swellings (medically called compartment syndrome) are to be taken extremely seriously and must be treated surgically immediately with the help of a relief incision, otherwise permanent nerve and vessel damage can occur, which in the worst case can lead to amputations. In some cases, a fracture of the calcaneus results in a so-called open fracture, in which parts of the calcaneus are pressed outwards through the skin and thus the bone is visible.However, the first signs of a calcaneal fracture are swelling, inability to walk, pain and haematomas.