Calcaneus Fracture

[5iherna9]

I broke my calcaneus in a car accident in August, 07.  I did not need surgery at the time, and wore a boot cast for 8 weeks, then began physical therapy for 4 or so weeks and have been doing the exercises at home as well as walking on the tread climber at the gym.  Recently I've been having lots of pain in my heel and have been taking celebrex, mobic, etc. (not at the same time) with no results.  I've been walking with normal shoes and have been trying to walk normally, but the pain is almost unbearable.  My questions are:  Would it be ok to wear my boot cast because it does help the pain.  I just don't want this to hurt my chances of a full recovery.  Also, is there anything I can do to help with the pain?  I'm going back to my orthopaedist in March and his suggestion all along was that if after a year, I'm still in pain that I may need surgery.  I just don't understand how I was going along so well for a while, but recently have started to be in pain.  It's also affecting my back and is difficult for me to stand for very long.  Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank You.

[5iherna9]

Hi there, This is in reply to your post on Feb.23,2008 of a questions I had regarding a calcaneul fracture I received in an automobile accident in Aug, 07.  
I had imaging done last month on my calcaneus fracture and they found some arthritis in the subtalar joint. My orthopaedist still will not make recommendations for surgery or any other treatments until it's been a year.  I go back in August.  His response is that the arthritis in the joint is not that bad.  I am able to do moderate walking at this point, but the next day I can hardly move!  If I have to stand for more than 10minutes continually, my ankle starts swelling, stiffness sets in, and it's difficult to walk.  Are there any more treatments besides surgery that would be effective?  The arthritis medication does not work, even short-term.  I realize what a serious injury a calcanues fracture is and that I may indeed have chronic pain, but I want to be able to get out and do the things that I enjoy!  Any suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks So Much

[mseven]

Hi,

I had a calcaneus fracture in May '07 and wore a cast for a month (I did not undergo surgery). I was limping for a couple of weeks after that and have been walking normally since then. It has always been nagging me that I haven't done any exercises for the foot.

I jog often for a couple of kilometers every now and then (which has become very infrequent as of late). My foot hurts at times, the pain is not really acute, just as if something if poking into my ankle.

I would be really obliged if you could suggest some exercises that could make my foot  better. The pain doesn't matter much, I just want to reverse any negative effects that lack of exercise might have had, if its not too late.

Thanks so much

[JainMD]

Hi,
How are you feeling?
Yes it is indeed ok to wear boot cast if that makes you comfortable, but I would have requested to get imaging of the foot done and see an orthopedist as early as possible to re-assess your symptoms.
Oral analgesics and analgesics should help. Opoid analgesics can help upon prescription of doctors.
I would abide by what orthopedist has said earlier of getting surgery done, but we so go by what imaging shows.
You’re other symptoms of back pain, difficulty in standing and pain in foot suggests that it could be due to radicular pain or nerve injury pain which is radiating.
Keep me posted if you have nay queries.
Bye.