Anyone ever fractured their heel?

[Foogoo]

So long story short, I landed off a fairly high jump with ALL my weight on my left heel. Needless to say it hurts. Six hours later now, i can't walk and will probably hurt for a while.

My question is: is there a way to differentiate if it's badly bruised or if it may be fractured? Is it worth a trip to the doc or should I just get crutches and let it go?

[Wilafur]

hit up moonpod.

[cypres]

Definately get it checked out. I did that same thing and I ended up having a torn ligament. It was torn about 80 percent and luckily I didnt need surgery. If its really badly bruised and swolen you might have a torn ligament.

[navajo]

I actually fractured both heels in Basic Training. Do yourself a favor and go get it checked. Get some good drugs and some crutches.

I feel for you! It's gonna hurt for a LONG time!

[rodding]

blew an ankle about 6 months ago and pain still there. Im white I do not play basketball during picnics with others.

[Foogoo]

I don't think this is a ligament issue however since the pain is only on the bottom of my heel so I'm guessing I likely bruised it or possibly fractured it. I'll see how it is tomorrow morning.

navajo: Which branch? Just went through Ft. Knox this summer.

[navajo]

Originally posted by Foogoo
I don't think this is a ligament issue however since the pain is only on the bottom of my heel so I'm guessing I likely bruised it or possibly fractured it. I'll see how it is tomorrow morning.

navajo: Which branch? Just went through Ft. Knox this summer.

US ARMY

Did Basic in Ft Dix in 87. Never got to Ft Knox though. Hope it was "fun"! Did 10 yrs then decided it was enough.

GOOD LUCK with the heels!

And THANK YOU FOR SERVING!

[inwall75]

Contusions about the foot resulting from various types of direct impacts are common occurrences in athletics. The skin over the dorsum (top) of the foot is thin and only loosely attached to the underlying structures. Further, subcutaneous placement and exposed nature of most structures near the dorsum of the foot make them susceptible to contusion injuries. Injuries in this area tend to be painful even if actual tissue damage is minor. However, all direct trauma to the dorsum of the foot should be evaluated for the presence of significant damage to underlying structures such as bones, tendons, or nerves.

Contusions to the plantar, or weight-bearing, surface of the foot can be particularly bothersome and handicapping. These injuries, common to the plantar aspect of the heel and ball of the foot, are normally caused by direct trauma such as repeated pounding on a hard surface, a faulty spike or cleat, stepping on an object, or even a wrinkle in the athlete's sock. The subcutaneous tissue between the bones of the foot and the thick plantar skin becomes bruised and inflamed. This injury, often called a stone bruise, or heel bruise, may become quite painful and disabling during weight bearing and athletic competition. Localized tenderness at the site of trauma may persist until weight bearing is relieved. Contusions of this type may develop into a chronic inflammatory process and reoccur throughout the athletic season.

http://athletics.cerrocoso.edu/sportsmedicine/foot_injuries.htm

[catdoc]

Hubby broke his ankle this summer (the very tip of the tibia, aka shin bone). He walked on it for a week before getting it stabilized. It swelled up immediately but he was too stubborn to let me take him to the ER. He hobbled to work the next day, realized that was a bad idea so then stayed home the next 3 days thinking it would get better. It didn't, so he finally went to the doc. They put him in a walking boot for 4 weeks, but he still has to take it easy on that foot b/c a mis-step really gets his attention.

Not the same as breaking the heel, but shows you that it can be hard to tell w/o the doc x-raying it.

[joeychitwood]

A calcaneus (heel) fracture occurs most often due to falls from height with the person landing on their feet. The pain and swelling can be incredible. The injury often requires surgery. navajo is quite correct. If you have fractured your heel, it will hurt intensely for a long time. Only an exam and x-ray can determine the extent of the injury.

[psulion]

As a foot specialist , I have seen many injuries involving the calcaneus. They can be anything from a contusion to a displaced fracture. An Xray will probably delineate soft tissue injury vs a fracture. However, many nondisplaced fractures will not show up on a plain film due to the cancellous nature of the heel bone itself. I have been fooled myself. A CT scan is indicated if there is any degree of suspicion. Fractures will usually be quite swollen and have a characteristic bruising on the bottom of the foot. I would ice , elevate and be non weightbearing until you can be seen by a qualified physician. These are best treated early even if it a contusion. Consider yourself lucky ( relative term...calcaneal fractures can be quite disabling and lead to long term issues such as post traumatic arthritis) if the heel is the only injury you sustained. The last patient I saw also had an L1-L2 fracture. As a side note, there was a time that the treatment of choice for calcaneal fractures was BK amputation.

[Foogoo]

Thanks for all the replies! It is 7:30 am the day after and I think it hurts even worse! So I'm probably going to have to get this checked out.

[catdoc]

Originally posted by psulion
As a side note, there was a time that the treatment of choice for calcaneal fractures was BK amputation.

:eek2: :eek2: :eek2:

[kevy_kev1]

I bruised both heels badly skateboarding when I was younger and to this day still walk tippy toed, when in bare feet, because I was conditioned to keep weight off of them. Very painful times.

[tsquad]

Playing soccer a few years ago some kid nailed me right in my heel...it bruised my growing plate in my heel. It was the worst injury ever. Since I was only 11-12, I was just starting to grow, so whenever I would grow, the pain in my heel got so much worse. And just as it would start to heal, I'd grow again. Still hurts from time to time, but nothing as bad as before. I couldn't even have shoes on without pain.