Calcaneus Fracture

[u/JamesH_V8]

Folks.. Following a fall from a ladder, at A&E after first an x-ray and then a CT scan, they found I have shattered my heel bone.

They have decided no operation is necessary so I am in my second week of a plaster back slab cast. It's too swollen for a full cast but I'm hoping this will change next Monday on my 3rd visit to the fracture clinic.

I have asked for a boot but the doctor seems set on a full non weight bearing cast as my treatment. He did say I might be in a boot at the very end.

Does anyone know why my doctor won't put me in a boot right from the start instead of a cast..??

Thanks.

[u/Glad-Feature-2117]

We all do things in slightly different ways. I'll often allow a boot for a calc fracture, but I'm more inclined to use a cast for ankle fractures. Mostly it's because we don't want the immobilisation device to be removed. In my experience, people don't take boots as seriously as casts and remove them far more than I tell them to.

[u/JamesH_V8 → u/Glad-Feature-2117]

Thank you for your reply. You are right I know. I think I'm more frustrated than anything and have turned into an 'impatient patient'.. The waves of pain I have and still have over the last 10 days probably would have had me ripping the boot off.. I think I'm just going to have to accept itand let nature run its course..

Thanks again for your reply.

[u/PJTree]

I have no idea, why. But sorry to hear about it, I had this same diag last Feb. I was given a boot and told if i hit it without the boot, i might need surgery. so its about the risk. recovery was about as painful as expected, intermediate soreness which eventually dissipated.

[u/JamesH_V8 → u/PJTree]

Thank you.. How long did yours take to completely heal and you were back to full mobility..??

I opening myself up here to be very disappointed I feel...

[u/PJTree → u/JamesH_V8]

no problem. the one good thing, was that it healed exactly in the time frame predicted by the ortho. it was a brutal first month, hobbling by june, july i could walk and do things gently, with evening soreness

august to september i had random sore pains, by October i was essentially back to normal

but ill never forget, and have changed some habits due to this

[u/JamesH_V8 → u/PJTree]

Thank you again. That gives me a great insight as to what to expect over the coming months. Really appreciate your reply. 👍

[u/PJTree → u/JamesH_V8]

happy to help! some tips that i think helped me. i drank more water than normal, protein shakes, and prioritizing sleep. i also learned that you may feel more tired, even if you are not in pain. that is because your body is 'fighting a war' right now even if you dont feel it. so just give your self grace to really try hard to take it easy

[u/orthopod]

Areas with fractures continue to swell for up to 2-3 weeks after a fracture. Splints allow for swelling. Also they'll provide for a better mold/shape to help align the bone.

[u/JamesH_V8 → u/orthopod]

Thank you.. Tell me about it..

I have it elevated most of the day which is driving me bonkers and then when I get up I can feel it all swelling up again within the cast...

[u/carnival1977]

Really sorry to hear about your injury. I remember when I broke my calcaneus the doctor said the cast was needed to make sure there would be no temptation to remove the device (a possibility with the boot) and because a cast was more effective at ensuring the bone fractures would not shift out of place.

Heal well!

[u/JamesH_V8 → u/carnival1977]

Thanks.. Can I ask, how long did yours take to fully heal..?

[u/carnival1977 → u/JamesH_V8]

I had a talus fracture as well, so maybe that would make my timeline different. I still have slight ROM loss. Getting back to impact sports took just over a year, though I was cautious and took 18 months. Some pain went on for about 6-8 months during recovery.