Suggest Treatment For Heel Bone Fracture

Posted on Fri, 24 Apr 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 24 Apr 2015 Answered on

Mon, 11 May 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi I have broken the calleous ( sorry not sure of spelling) that ia part of the heel bone. I am just into nearly two weeks next Monday. I cannot weight bear and because of the swelling and bruising have to ice pack and elevate. People tell me I have to have my leg above my heart, but this is very difficult. I have three cushions that I use brining my leg past hip height, is this sufficient? My question really is, in the morning the swelling comes down and looks better each day, but by the end of the day it's swollen again. Why is this? My foot/leg is in a boot and I don't take it off at resting it. Should I be doing this? I have been told to keep flexing my foot up to and from side to side. I don't elevate all day, should I be doing this, as the nurse also told me I need to move around. It upsets me by the end of the day that swelling is back? I feel like I am going forward in the morning when my foot looks good but backwards by the end of the day!! Should the boot it's in be tight or comfortable? I had to have a bigger one than necessary because of the swelling and bruising, but I do feel it's getting to big, but by the end of the day it's not because my foot has swollen.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Calcaneum fracture takes 6 weeks to heal

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have studied your case. You are having heel bone fracture. This is also called calcaneum fracture. You are doing right thing by keeping it elevated. I have following information regarding this.
1.Swelling will take some time to disappear. It may be there for six weeks to three months.
2.Since you have passed two weeks now you just need one pillow for elevation. There is no need to keep it above heart.
3.If swelling reappears in evening this is not a big issue. It happens usually. Walking and ankle movements are good for you. You should not put weight on affected side. You can use walker for movements.
4. Tablet Chymorol forte is useful for decreasing swelling.
5.Boot should not be tight but comfortable.
I hope this answers your query. Let me know if there is any other followup questions.
thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (49 minutes later)

Thank you for the reply. Do I need to keep the boot on when resting? As before I said it looked really good this morning, but having been the bathroom etc. it has already started to swell. I am now resting again and it is slowly going down again. Is this normal?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
keep boot when you are resting.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
You should keep boot most of the time as it prevent movements at fracture site. Removing this may cause delayed fracture healing.
As far as swelling is concerned I can assure you that it will go with time. Some time it can recur when you walk for some time. It is normal.
thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar