Calcaneal fracture

[jackmom]

I would love to talk to anyone who has broken their heel. I have no idea what is normal healing and/or residual discomfort and what is abnormal. My fracture was a year ago but had 3 surgeries in the past year, with the last one in October. Would like to hear another's story and compare notes. Doctors don't want to level with me are only concerned with protecting what they have/have not done.

[Enoch Choi]

My brother broke both of his heels, it's a miserable problem, requiring non-weight-bearing to heal, but how do you get around then?!?!

Having 3 surgeries in a year for a broken heel is not typical.  It's worth getting a second opinion in cases that are not typical

Enoch Choi, MD

[kaytee0511]

Hi- I broke my heel after falling off a skinny while mtb'ing in Jun 2005 (intra articular, from bottom medial to upper lateral).  Had surgery, open reduction & internal fixation (plate & 3 screws)with no complications.  Cast came off at @ 9 weeks (x-rays showed it completely healed), with another couple weeks on crutches when necessary.  I had a LOT of pain (just behind and under the talus) when doing the normal heel-to-toe motion of walking, so in Dec '05 had a second surgery.  This was mostly to "clean up" the subtalar joint, but since he was already in there, my OS took out the hardware at the same time.  Again this went well, no complications and x-rays looked fine. Pain level decreased significantly and was snowboarding within the month.  BUT since about Nov '06 the pain has been steadily increasing, and ROM/mobility decreasing, and a CT scan in Jan '07 showed the majority of the fracture is non-union, right up to the joint articulation, where "degenerative changes are appearing".  
Sorry- that was a really long, round about way of saying that x-ray results can be limited, a CT is much more thorough, and to make sure that is what is ordered to assess status of healing!
I'm not really sure what my options are now- if anyone has any info on the stability of fibrous unions, or subtalar fusion (which I am not to keen on the idea of) I would appreciate the advice! Thanks

[werner143]

Hi , shattered both my heels in 2003 when i sleep walked out of a building and now im 31 . surgeon said it was second worse he had repaired epscially my right heel. I am goin put down some personal tip that helped me over the past 4 years which have been hard but you can do it if i have ... am now doin my down hill again and kayaking and of course work !  My injuries were life changing but simple things helped .

Soft heel trainers are essential at all time unless swimming etc
You may put on weight if its difficult to walk alot ( or you avoid walking to avouid afterpain)  so join a gym where you can do static exercises even pilates and seated weights.
Avoid running if you can and long walks as it can disable you abit the following day ( at work try seating as much as poss so when you get home you can have a life without pain.
People might not understand (even family andfriends can be ignorant to how bad this injury can be. Dont stress just be straight and they will have to understand if they dont then be explicit about how bad it is to the and theyl hopefully help.

Eat and live well to keep your head and body together whilst your feet are getting better ( mine improved each year considerably ! just dont stand as much i use to.

Try seeing osteopath once or twice to correct posture which might be poor from the pain associated with this injury.

Get disable pass to help with closer parking if you so wish .

Try doing the thing you like again no matter how impossible they may seem . theres always variation of sports and and work life to be considered.

I always think of my mate whos in a wheel chair and hes still able to smile .. hope i helped even though its long winded ...... Luke