Healing a broken heel bone after a crash
Advice from an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon on walking and joint health
A hard impact can crush or split the large bone in your heel. Doctors call it the calcaneus. It sits just below the ankle. The break may reach the joint beneath the ankle and change the heel’s shape. [1, 2]
Swelling and skin damage can affect when surgery is safe, or whether it is safe at all. An orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon looks at your imaging and your skin before choosing a treatment. [1, 2]
Ask about the joint and your skin
Find out whether the break goes into the joint. Ask if the heel widened or shifted and if a CT scan was needed. Check whether the skin at the back or side of the heel is under pressure. Some bone pieces that have moved out of place can threaten the skin. When they do, they need urgent care. [1, 2]
If you’re having surgery, ask what the repair is meant to restore. Find out how swelling affects when it can be done. [1, 2]
Stay off the heel when told
Ask for your exact weight bearing limit and when it will be reviewed. A cast, a boot or a surgical repair doesn’t by itself make it safe to stand on the heel right away. Have a therapist check how you manage stairs, bathing and moving safely around your home. [1, 2]
Raise the foot and care for it the way you were shown. Ask when you can start ankle and foot exercises. Find out what kind of shoes you may need later. [1, 2]
Avoid a setback you can prevent
Call your care team about new skin blisters or pressure from the splint. Also call for fluid from the wound, fever or numbness that’s getting worse. Get urgent care for a cold, pale foot or pain that is severe and climbing. [1, 2]
Pain and stiffness later on can come from the damage to the joint or the change in the heel’s shape. Bring them up at your checkups. Don’t keep walking on symptoms that are getting worse. [1, 2]
Questions for your foot and ankle surgeon
- Does the break go into the joint under the ankle?
- Is the skin on my heel safe, and do I need surgery?
- What is my plan for weight bearing and therapy?
Get one weight rule in writing
Sources and further reading
- 1American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons calcaneus fractures
- 2Orthopaedic Trauma Association calcaneus fracture patient guide
The guidance here is general and comes from orthopedic foot and ankle care. A severe heel fracture can involve a joint and the skin around it. Stick to the weight bearing plan you were given.
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