Of course, for many people, a heel fracture may seem a far-fetched and funny phenomenon, which is quite rare in modern medicine, however, this is far from the case. According to statistics, a characteristic injury is 3 - 4% of all violations of the integrity of the bones of the skeleton.
The severity of this pathology is characterized by features of the displacement of fragments and damage to the elements of the joint, as evidenced by the obtained x-ray image. So, a mild heel fracture is not accompanied by displacement of fragments and trauma to the articular surfaces; the moderate form of severity is inherent in the displacement of fragments, but without damage to the joints; but for severe fractures, the presence of displacement and damage to the articular surfaces is characteristic. One way or another, only a knowledgeable specialist can determine the nature of the fracture based on an X-ray study.
First you need to find out what symptoms accompany a characteristic violation of the integrity of the skeleton. This clinical picture, first of all, is characterized by swelling and intense pain syndrome that spreads to the region of the Achilles tendon and the entire foot. The mobility of the foot can both be maintained or impaired, but it all depends on the nature of the visible damage. The displacement of the heel bone fragments is accompanied by the partial preservation of support ability, but the fracture of the upper part of the calcaneal tuber completely immobilizes the characteristic patient. That is why it is necessary to know what kind of heel fracture is possible : marginal, isolated and compression, as well as with and without displacement.
If, after performing an x-ray, the diagnosis of a heel fracture is diagnosed in a specialist consultation, treatment should be immediate. Again, the intensive care regimen is completely dependent on the specifics of the damage.
If a heel fracture is not accompanied by a displacement of bone fragments, then a conservative method of treatment takes place, that is, without surgical intervention. For mild forms of fracture, bed rest is necessary, as well as the application of gypsum to the knee for a period of 3 weeks to 2 months, but these periods can vary significantly depending on the nature of the disease. As an addition, physiotherapeutic procedures, medical gymnastics and massage are recommended, and in some clinical pictures and the wearing of orthopedic devices in the form of special insoles.
But a fracture of the foot may also involve bone displacement. In such cases, some difficulties arise, especially when it comes to compression fractures of the body of the calcaneus, which are characterized by the predominance of a large number of “fragments”, severe deformation and damage to adjacent articular surfaces. The main objective of productive treatment is that it is necessary not only to return the heel to its previous appearance, but also to quickly restore painless function in all joints of the foot, and this is already much more difficult. That is why such a fracture of the heel requires surgical intervention, and then a long rehabilitation period, that is, restoration of the usual work of this part of the skeleton.
If the heel fracture described above is observed, rehabilitation involves wearing orthopedic shoes, performing therapeutic exercises to develop joints, as well as systematic visits to physiotherapy procedures.
So, the principles of the recovery period consist in performing exercises with movements in the subtalar joint, limiting the axial load on the limb throughout the rehabilitation period (up to 12 weeks) and imposing a full axial load after this period.
Fracture of the heel does not pass without a trace and often reminds of itself by deforming arthrosis of the subtalar joint, deformity of the foot and post-traumatic flatfoot.