What are the Types of Calcaneal Fractures?
Fractures of the calcaneus may or may not involve the subtalar and surrounding joints. Fractures involving the joints are the most severe calcaneal fractures, and include damage to the cartilage (the connective tissue between two bones). The outlook for recovery depends on how severely the calcaneus was crushed at the time of injury. Fractures that don’t involve the joint include: • Those caused by trauma, such as avulsion fractures (in which a piece of bone is pulled off of the calcaneus by the Achilles tendon or a ligament) or crush injuries resulting in multiple fracture fragments. • Stress fractures, caused by overuse or mild injury. The severity and treatment of extra-articular fractures depend on their location and size. What are the Signs and Symptoms of Calcaneal Fractures? Calcaneal fractures produce different signs and symptoms, depending on whether they are traumatic or stress fractures. The signs and symptoms of traumatic fractures may include: • Sudden pain in the heel and
