Question: Dear Dr. WANKHEDE,

I really appreciate your answer last time. However, there are just a few more things I really want to find out about. Thank you in advance.

Last time you mentioned that after the fracture -
"There onwards the bone neither shrinks nor grows. If there are signs of hypertrophic union where in even after union the bone continues to grow out, it might result in lengthening (especially the part where you have show on your image). The soft bone that develops at fracture site is called 'callus'. It later converts into hard bone XXXXXXX

I just found out that hypertrophic union is only a temporary process. So I'm kind of confused with what you said in your last reply. What do you mean the bone still grows out after the union and result in lengthening? After that process, isn't the bone ALWAYS prone to shrink and NEVER increase (0.0mm) like you have mentioned several times? I'm confused because you suddenly introduced me to a completely new concept.

Thank you so much Dr.

Dear Dr. Wankhede,

Thanks a lot for your answer.
So in the part where you said: "But the site where you mentioned, a linear fracture at the base of calcaneum can have possibility of lengthening only if there is hypertrophy"
This is also side-wise right?

Dear Dr. Wankhede,

Thanks a lot for your answer.
Question 1: So in the part where you said: "But the site where you mentioned, a linear fracture at the base of calcaneum can have possibility of lengthening only if there is hypertrophy"
This is also side-wise right?

Continued:
Question 2:
If you look at an x-ray of someone's foot bone can you tell whether there has been any abnormal phenomenon like this?

Dear Dr. Wankhede,

Thanks a lot for your answer.
Please ignore my two previous messages. I'll just put all of them in this one.

Question 1: So in the part where you said: "But the site where you mentioned, a linear fracture at the base of calcaneum can have possibility of lengthening only if there is hypertrophy"
Is this side-wise too?

Continued:
Question 2:
If you look at an x-ray of someone's foot bone can you tell whether there has been or there is any abnormal phenomenon like this?

Question 3:
During the healing process, "hypertrophic union" is it possible for your height to increase by 0.3 cm (centimeters) and reduce to its normal height when the bone heals? OR your height just NEVER increases (0.0 cm)?

Dear Dr. Wankhede,

Thanks a lot for your answer.
Please ignore my 3 previous messages. I'll just put all of them in this one.

Question 1: So in the part where you said: "But the site where you mentioned, a linear fracture at the base of calcaneum can have possibility of lengthening only if there is hypertrophy"
Is this side-wise too?

Continued:
Question 2:
If you look at an x-ray of someone's foot bone can you tell whether there has been or there is any abnormal phenomenon like this?

Question 3: (the most bottom calcaneus part I showed you)
During the healing process, "hypertrophic union" is it possible for your height to increase by 0.3 cm (centimeters) and reduce to its normal height when the bone heals? OR your height just NEVER increases (0.0 cm)?

Dear Dr. Wankhede,


Thanks a million for your help.

So I'm attaching a picture of my xray. Actually I took this x XXXXXXX NOT because I was hurt or anything but I just wanted to see if there was anything wrong with the structure of my foot. The doctors told me there's nothing wrong with the structure of my foot - no deformity, no lesion, nothing. Anyway I'm a very curious person (and a bit obsessive about my body and health), so I took one at the hospital more than four months ago. Fortunately the color of my room wall is white and i also have a desk light so I just used whatever I have in my room to make this xray as close to as it would look in the lamp board (is that what you call it?) at a doctor's office. I used my camera to take it and hope it looks clear to you.

QUESTIONS:

1. HONESTLY, I don't know if I've ever had a stress fracture or hairline fracture but I heard that sometimes people (like athletes) don't know whether or not they have a hairline fracture. How is that possible? So does it mean I could have had one of those as well without myself knowing it? Is it possible to have several hairline fractures without yourself knowing it? And does it mean stress fractures just heal on their own?

2. Does it look like my calcaneus (especially the part I've been talking about) bone has ever suffered from stress fracture, hypertrophy or do you see any signs of that? Do my feet look normal without any signs of past injuries or hypertrophic union or malformation from hairline fracture or anything like that from the past (although I'm not sure if I've ever had any stress fracture)?

3. (NOT RELATED TO THE TWO QUESTIONS ABOVE) - If we have a stress fracture at the calcaneus area I've been talking about, is it possible that during the healing process or any phase between {after fracture --- before healing} our height measures perhaps 0.2cm - 0.3cm taller? Or does our height stay the same (0.0mm change) during the entire healing process?

I know I sound pretty obsessive and thank you so much for helping me out Dr. Wankhede. Also when you give me answers, would you be able to tell me exactly by including the number unit I use for my questions? (eg. 0.0mm increase / decrease)