What does a heel stress fracture feel like?

Pain that is most intense in one spot on the heel (although the pain may radiate out to other areas) and is painful to the touch. Swelling or redness in the affected foot. Pain that improves somewhat with a long period of rest.

How do I know if my heel is bruised or fractured?

The main symptom of a bruised heel is pain at the bottom of your heel bone, also called the calcaneus. It’ll likely hurt when you walk or press on the heel. If the bone is also bruised, the pain might feel sharp. You may also see a red or purple bruise on the outside of your heel.

Can a heel fracture heal on its own?

“A heel fracture will heal on its own,” admits Dr. Anderson. “However, without medical treatment, the concern is whether these fractures will heal in the best position to minimize a potentially poor outcome. At worst, a heel fracture mends improperly.

How do I know if I have Plantar Fasciitis or stress fracture?

The biggest telltale sign of Plantar Fasciitis (and one of the best ways to distinguish it from a stress fracture) is that the pain is worse with those first few steps in the morning, that improves slightly with use and movement as the fascia stretches and warms up.

What can be mistaken for Plantar Fasciitis?

Because plantar fasciitis is the most common type of heel pain, other causes of heel pain are sometimes misdiagnosed as plantar fasciitis. A doctor must rule out other problems that can cause foot pain, such as a broken heel (calcaneus fracture), nerve entrapment, and Achilles tendonitis.

Can you break your heel and not know?

A heel fracture can be a severe injury, but there is a chance you may not immediately know that one has occurred. There could be the potential for major long-term problems such as chronic pain and even arthritis.

How is a fractured heel treated?

Doctors consult an orthopedist to determine the best treatment for heel fractures. Treatment may consist of protection (usually by a splint), rest, ice, compression, and elevation (PRICE), followed by a cast, or surgery to put the broken pieces of bone back in place and keep them in place.

What happens if a hairline fracture is untreated?

Ignoring a hairline fracture can lead to a more serious fracture or break occurring, which is more difficult to treat. If not treated or ignored, the hairline may not heal, resulting in a non-union fracture.

How long do heel fractures take to heal?

If your injury is minor, such as a crack in the bone with little muscle damage, you may be able to resume normal activities from 3 to 4 months after surgery. If your fracture is severe, however, it may take from 1 to 2 years before recovery is complete.

What should I do for a possible fractured heel?

Getting Medical Treatment 1. See your doctor if you have symptoms of a broken heel. If you think you may have broken your heel, call your doctor… 2. Consent to exams and tests to determine how severe the fracture is. The right treatment will depend on the nature of… 3. Talk to your doctor about

What are the symptoms of a stress fracture in the heel?

There may be visible deformity of the heel. The symptoms of a stress fracture may include swelling of the heel area with pain that develops over a period of days to weeks. Initially the pain may merely cause you to limp slightly.

When is heel fractures require surgery?

Surgery is recommended when a broken heel bone has lost its alignment and contour. Identification of the fracture typically is made after a physical examination by obtaining standard foot and ankle X-rays.

Does a heel bone fracture require a surgery?

For the most part heel bone fractures do require surgery. In some cases if there is no displacement or separation of misalignment of the fracture fragments you can probably heal well being non-weight bearing in a cast for 6-8 weeks. However, in your case the fracture shows no signs of healing after 3 weeks so surgery should definitely be done.