Heel/Calcaneal Stress Fracture: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

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[@jacksonludwig8560]

Wow what a great explanation of this. Thank you! Been struggling with this for the past few months. Finally getting an MRI soon. If I try to run I can't even walk the next day or put any weight on the foot.

[@Joseph-ny5rr]

If you are seriously no weight bearing at all then something is broken. I hope it is not your heel. Pain is unbelievable.

[@channelnoise]

I was recently diagnosed with calcaneal stress fracture. I was training hard for a backpacking in the Sierra Mts., trying to lose weight, and going through menopause. This video has provided me with more info than my podiatrist. So, big thanks!

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

Best of luck!

[@zainmuhnds6235]

How to recover? I have pain I'm calcaneus

[@AlvaSudden]

Your advice is extremely helpful. I just wish I had the patience and forbearance to really REST. Doing nothing is the most difficult thing.

[@Phyto_Chemicals]

So true!

[@grandmasterspeed]

exactly my problem!!!!!!

[@leethomas7659]

FACTS! Throw in a 5 yr old son into the equation and I’m cooked..

[@natechannn]

A brilliant teacher and I wish I had you as my Dr. Such a gift being able to explain so anyone can understand! Keep up the great work! You’re right on point with what I’m going through!

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

Wow, thank you!

[@iliketocomment8144]

Thanks doctor for your input and advice. Much appreciated!

[@nancywisniewski8519]

Excellent! This just started for me today during a run. Your video has convinced me to go see a doc asap. I am keeping my fingers crossed as the 1/2 marathon is in 9 weeks. 🤞😳

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

Good luck with your recovery!

[@allankobanawa9204]

Wow great advise! It was interesting that all points for the causes you mentioned applied to me. 1. Sudden Increase - I started more intense soccer training after 3-4 years absence, twice or three times a week. Also swimming 2km 2-3 times a week plus weight training. 2. Was not resting enough due to work (shift worker with a young child, often 4-6 hours sleep only) and training/diet hard. 3. Was doing a rather aggressive weight cut, lost 15Kg in 4 months. So not enough calories. 4. Probably vitamin D deficient due to the aggressive weight loss. Always thought was plantar fasciitis but now I can start a proper treatment. My condition worsened to a point where standing or walking slowly causes pain. I thought it was my age (32yo) for the slow recovery but i guess still not so old… 😅 Thank you so so much!

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

Thanks for sharing, and good luck with your recovery!

[@marioserafin3177]

Thanks, excellent video explains why my heel is sore. When I wake up I can hardly stand on it and have to limp around for about 5min before I can actually stand on it. Then it is relatively ok but if I am busy walking around during the day it starts getting sore again. I recently did some building work and was carrying heavy stuff up and down climbing up scaffolding and jumping off and all wearing flip flops. Doing this for a couple of weeks I felt really sore and tired. It's been about a month now that I have been taking it easy but my right heel seems to get a bit better and then relapses. I am 67yrs old and am quite healthy and fit.

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

Thanks for sharing, and good luck with your recovery!

[@kevinb7810]

Falling from 20 feet is my reason for having metal in my left foot! I have the x-ray if you wanna see it, but I really appreciate this video and I found a Facebook group that is specifically for the same injury that I have since 1999

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

I'm glad you found the video useful.

[@askavettech2057]

Thank you so very much for your advice..... I have been wearing a boot for 8 weeks... and not really healing.

[@purlsngold]

In this boat as well! Advice I would give is truly prepare for the patience of healing

[@AwakeLazarus]

I just got diagnosed with a heel fracture yesterday. I have a piece of bone like a bread clip broken off the back of my heel completely. As a security agent I walk a lot, so the doctor gave me 4 weeks off and I have to go see a specialist.

[@elishalopez8073]

Thank you this was very informative! I just got an x-ray today to see if I have a heel fracture. I hurt it back in January when I just starting to work out again and I was doing high impact exercises. It hasn't been too bad so I've kept up with my workouts. Then I started running outdoors and again it wasn't getting better or worse so I just kept at it. Til last week when I went for a run and that evening I was limping,. The next day I was limping all morning, and now a week later it's still hurting more than usual. I thought it was maybe plantar fasciitis because I am more sore first thing in the morning or after sitting for a bit, but the pain is not in the plantar fascia area. It's around my heel, and the squeeze test definitely worked and that's definitely where my pain is. But I also noticed this summer when walking in my alley with sandals that if I stepped on a rock right in the middle of the bottom of my heel it would send a strong shooting pain. That would be in my fat pad right? So I don't know if I have that as well. Also this is discouraging how long it will take to recover. I am only one run short of a long term goal I've had and would like to do it, not take off months before I can build up to it again. Plus I want to start training for my first triathlon next summer. It will make it tighter if I first have to take a few months off.

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

I would suggest that you see a doctor and get this diagnosed properly. The squeeze test etc. is just an indication but it is not 100% accurate. If you get an accurate diagnosis, you can apply the best possible treatment regime and not waste any time with your rehab. I know all of this can be frustrating but it helps if you know you're definitely doing the right things.

[@valaryabongo]

I have the same problem now..did you manage

[@paulineweir6031]

Your the best one so far I learned a lot thanks 🙏 😮

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

Happy to hear that!

[@jerryshapiro3402]

Very good video, thank you. Im pretty sure I have a stress fracture on the outside of the lower ankle bone. After 3 and a half months of taking an easy the ankle feels much better, much more flexible.

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

Best of luck!

[@jerryshapiro3402]

@@SportsInjuryPhysio ty

[@Conscious-01]

Thank you so much Doc! take care 🫶🏼

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

My pleasure!

[@kujaneck]

Thanks for this.

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

You're welcome!

[@laluswoldeselassie2668]

Very useful ❤

[@Midnight_Lantern]

I have an ankle fractures, bone bruise and bony edema from heel fracture in addition to some previous osteopenia. I am wearing an aircast and its been at lest three months. The pain is severe, cannot walk. But I cant find ANYWHERE how to heal from bony edema or bone bruise. Please help. My survival may depend on it.

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

Bone bruising and edema takes an extremely long time to heal but it does eventually heal by itself. Speak to your doctor about what supplements etc. may help your osteopenia as that will also help your general bone health. Once you get the green light from your doctor to start doing light exercise e.g. pushing against a band or gentle cycling it may also help you pain.

[@a-terrible-fate532]

I stepped on an unsupported board on a patio roof about 8 ft from the ground and it dumped me down onto the ground and most of the force went through my left heel and at first it was tender and little weak feeling but I could put some weight on it but now three or four hours later. It's harder to put weight on it though. I can stand up straight and balance my weight with just a little bit of pressure and pain around the heel. I'm not sure what I should do at this point as I work in roofing. I am thinking of giving it for 5 days with not putting much weight on my left foot and heel and seeing if it improves.

[@VishalSingh-qt5mt]

Hey mate, how's your left heel now. I also fell from 8 ft height and I am going through exactly that can you advice me from your experience what should I do? Will it heal naturally or should I go to a doctor?

[@cap404]

I jumped from a height and accidentally fall with heel of the left leg and there is pain on side of the heel and there is a liitle swelling on the outer side of the heel is this supposed to be cleneal stress fracture

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

It can be fractured or just bruised. Have it checked by a doctor.

[@ThatSingingMac]

I'm thinking I may have one, I get gout quite often but never in the heel and my gout medication hasn't helped with the pain

[@jocellinechandra8482]

hello, so I am a spin class instructor and I sprained my ankle by doing CrossFit (box jumps) went for an X-ray and I was diagnosed with a calcaneus hairline fracture. I am in a boot now, swelling and bruising has improved a lot. how long do you think I gradually go back to teaching Spin class ?

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

Interesting question - spin is not weightbearing so it should be OK shortly after you are allowed to start taking the boot off (your doctor is best person to ask when that is). But you should perhaps also consider why this happened - one would not normally expect your heel to fracture by doing box jumps. So, perhaps you should ask your doctor if they can assess your bone health or vitamin D levels - essentially you need to check if there is any systemic reason that might have made your bone more vulnerable to this injury - it might just be a freak accident but it is always good to check.

[@jocellinechandra8482]

@ thanks for the info :), how about running ? how long does it generally take after having calcaneus hairline fracture to be able to run again ?

[@chukis19]

I may have a stress fracture then. I'm 46 play soccer my whole life and it's been about 2 years since this is been bothering me. The funny part is that the pain is equally on both heels. I took a few months off and it helped a little bit but since I play 2 times a week. It's back to hurting to the point that I can't run at all. I'm 6 foot tall about 190 also had an xray, and structurally both feet are fine so I'm not sure anymore

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

It doesn't sound like a stress fracture - get it checked by a physio - it might just be fat pad irritation but it can also be other things depending on where on your heel the pain is.

[@chukis19]

@@SportsInjuryPhysio will do thank you

[@Bella-op7id]

Hi :) Thanks for the video, really helpful. I was just wondering, so a couple days ago during gymnastics the outer part of my right heel started to hurt pretty badly but I continued with the class. When the class was done I noticed it was very painful and I couldn’t even stand on it. My heel only hurts when I try to stand on it and if I’m just sitting down it’s ok. I’m not sure what I did to my heel and I did the squeeze test and it felt fine. I was just wondering if you knew what I might have done to my heel?

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

There isn't really any way for us to know what you've done without assessing you. The best thing to do would be to consult a physio or doctor who can assess it for you.

[@lauren3220]

I have the same thing, did you ever figure out what it was?

[@Bella-op7id]

@@lauren3220 hi there, unfortunately I never really found out what happened but I do have a few tips which helped the pain to go away faster -warm baths -heat packs -massage you ankle with a roller or hands (gently for a few mins each day) -light stretching -most importantly REST and cut back on active activities for a week or 2 I’m sorry this comment might not be much use to you as I didn’t find out what happened but my guess is I was tired and overworking it and it needed lots of rest and heat to make it feel better (Btw the pain only lasted for about 4-5 days so I hope your pain goes away pretty quickly too :)

[@krpurple2678]

My son has had a painful heel for a couple of weeks. He works out a few times a week and drives a small truck which he jumps in and out of it numerous times through the day. Having to drive with heel pain doesn't help with recovery.

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

No it doesn't. It may help if he actually consults a a physio to see what is causing his heel pain. IIf it is jumping in and out of the truck that is causing it, depending on where on the heel it hurts, it may be Achilles tendinopathy or plantar fasciitis rather than a stress fracture. The physio may be able to suggest ways in which he can stop it from getting worse and protect it so that it can recover.

[@subbysibuyas1916]

If i have grade 2 overuse soleus injury should i do run/walk program or some low intensity cycling?

[@Nknownnguyy]

Nice explanation mam ! ❤️

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

Thanks a lot 😊

[@DebraStall]

Had a fracture in my ankle Oct 2023, surgery soon after, my bones are soft, to find out through it all. 6 weeks later they have me to stand walk soon after. Kept telling them there was something that bothers me walking, standing. They never found it, through the months after. July 2024 still trying to not put all my weight on the right of my left foot, still walking with irration when walking, more so when I put weight on it. As I search it feels like it may be a sharp bone spur, not sure if it's loose in there? My calf can be very stiff, the groan area gives me problems walking. Calcium is building up in my ears for years, calcium can be a problem with consumption.? How can I dodge surgery if it's breaking off?

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

I can't really tell from your comment what is going on in your case. Speak to a physio who knows your case and who can assess you and provide advice that is truly tailored to your case.

[@WanderleiSilva29]

11:00 very vague…. Whats a “short period”?…. A week? A month? 3 months?….. in my world, a short period is a few days.

[@sonjarukavina9693]

You so positive an chaming! Looking et you is heeling! Much lave from Belgrade!

[@errantx2221]

During the period of healing (8 weeks) with no weight bearing on the specific foot, is it ok to do heat pack and ice therapy to heal the foot faster?

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

Heat and/or ice don't contribute to the healing process, but it can be used for pain relief. Here's our video with more details: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5CcmJ2cm5x8ebc

[@Joseph-ny5rr]

What about heel shattered plus talus break? It has been 6 months and im still so limited??

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

Any injury involving the talus can take a super long time to heal - the orthopedic doc in charge of your care will be able to better predict how long things will take for you because they will know the extent of your injury but it sounds to me like something that will likely take 12 to 18 months to fully recover. Make sure you stick to your rehab - it is easy to lose motivation when progress is slow.

[@rajvirrana1214]

Should I ice it or dip it in hot water,my heel bone started hurting when I jumped on a tiny pointed stone its been 3 weeks now

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

Neither ice or heat will make much difference at this point - it sounds like you may have fat pad bruising. Wearing very soft shoes or even placing a gel heel insert into your shoe can help to reduce the pressure on the fat pad and allow it to recover. Here are some examples of heel pads on Amazon: 1. geni.us/y92HK 2. geni.us/Sc7h8 These are afíliate links.

[@rajvirrana1214]

How will it take to recover??, meanwhile can I play football and run

[@Taniaval12]

Just search this heel bone pain stated yesterday pain when walking .

[@vanity68]

What about swelling on the top of the foot? Putting edema but pain at the heel? Can it be a stress fx if the top of the foot is swollen but the pain in under by the heel?

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

It sounds like something you need to get checked out - it can be one of many types of injuries depending on how it started, your own training history or health history etc.

[@xxflaxxdread]

Could a severe ankle sprain cause this issue? I had a ankle sprain recently and was no weight bearing for a month. Now im starting to beare weight i have pain.

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

It is more likely to be a different type of injury if your pain is secondary to a bad ankle sprain - your physio or doctor should be able to assess it for your and diagnose what is going on.

[@vernalachance6809]

Do you have videos on vanicular arch problem

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

Hi Verna, I'm not quite sure what you are referring to, but hopefully this is what you had in mind: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJy4ZImmqcSdqac

[@vernalachance6809]

No I have vanicular bone injury what can I do for that

[@litamason9083]

Thank you!!!

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

You're welcome!

[@comewithmetoghana4969]

Hi Dr. I had lateral meniscus surgery and it’s been eight weeks but there’s still pain in my knee . I do physiotherapy as I’m told but there’s been no change. What do you think could be the problem , is the surgery still too early to expect some change or is the surgery a failed surgery?

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

It is normal to still have some pain after 8 weeks. Discuss this with your physiotherapist. They may also have to check if your exercises are right for you and if you're not perhaps doing anything else that can be causing it to remain painful.

[@comewithmetoghana4969]

@@SportsInjuryPhysio thanks

[@mihaim9538]

I have pain for a couple of months... any chance I can recover?

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

Yes, it is very normal for this to be slow to heal - have a review with your doctor if you feel that you are not progressing to make sure you are following the correct treatment.

[@SuperMathewz]

Hi, I'm Ronald, I hurt my back heel a year ago while playing a football match, a fellow player kicked my back heel while kicking the ball, it was terrible pain during that moment, later that day the pain reduced, the next day onwards I was able to play with a little bit of pain every time I play, then the weeks passes but the injury did not heal until now and the other one, I did weighted calve raises exercise to strengthen my legs while performing the exercise I felt crunch at my heel ends up having pain again it has been a year now still that injury has not healed yet, I tend to play along with the injury and I researched about this injury all the time but was still not able to figure out what is the injury to treat it accordingly. multiple similar names could not figure out what actually is (retrocalcaneal heel bursitis? heel spur? heel bone fracture?)

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

Hi Ronald, The most likely cause would be either heel bursitis or Achilles tendinopathy. It doesn’t sound like a stress fracture and heel spur isn’t really a condition (it’s one of the causes people sometimes blame for insertional Achilles tendinopathy). A physio will be able to help you distinguish between these conditions and diagnose what it is. This is also something that our team of physios can help you with via video call. You can read more about how the online consultations work here: www.sports-injury-physio.com/

[@subbysibuyas1916]

Can cycling help overuse soleus injury?

[@Whitemoon379]

Made my injury worse

[@arissensoobrayen7548]

Hii..I Played Football and I got pain in my hip bone and groin pain...which medecine should I take...I'm 16yrs old

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

Medicine is usually not needed for this. Best to go and see a physiotherapist who can assess it for your and give you the correct exercise advice.

[@nicolastratton]

Really helpful video! I started the Couch to 5K programme and loving it. I had some slight issues with shin splints but otherwise OK. Then after week 7 I had to take time out due to heel pain. I could not walk without limping, it was swollen either side and some pain on squeezing. Two weeks later I can walk with no limp and the pain is almost gone. I've not yet resumed running. My plan is to get more cushioned shoes and do this gradually. I wondered though, could it have been a heel stress fracture or was the recovery (for walking at least) just too quick?

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

Hi Nicola - it could have been - if you stop quickly and off-load it and look after it, it can recover quickly. It may be worth chatting to your doctor and just getting your bone density checked to make sure you don't have a general problem because it is not normal to develop a stress fracture in reaction to such a small increase in activity.

[@nicolastratton]

@@SportsInjuryPhysio thank you, I really appreciate the response.

[@sethlimuelgueta4491]

Hello maam,How can I message u privately?

[@anilsah916]

Calcaneus Hairline feature is serious???? Or I will be completely fine in months??? Please reply

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

Hi Anil, We cannot provide individual treatment advice without doing an in-depth assessment of your injury and your personal circumstances, as the advice might not be appropriate for you. You're welcome to book a video consultation with one of our physios if you would like an assessment and a personalised treatment plan: www.sports-injury-physio.com/

[@jyotinegi230]

Are u fine??? How much tym is recovery

[@michaeljofat7895]

Is this gonna be a permanent pain in my heal?

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

No, it will get better with the correct treatment

[@scottsmith7051]

So how does one lose body fat?

[@floydy22]

Ive just had surgery on mine.

[@zhaochenli7466]

Thanks for the nice video! How do you tell the difference between stress fracture and bruise? I always have the feeling that stress fracture is more serious than bruise but a doctor once told me there isn't much difference between them and you should treat a bruise like stress fracture.

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

Bone bruises are different and require different treatment. Here's our video about bone bruises: kzbin.info/www/bejne/faDbXqqrpZZ5etk

[@kannonpayne2614]

Idk if it’s bruised or fractured

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

Speak to your doctor - they will be able to get it diagnosed.

[@kannonpayne2614]

@@SportsInjuryPhysio ok thank you it’s been about 5 days and I can walk on it in a shoe. But I can’t walk barefoot at all, the pain is too bad. And when I walk on my toes I can still feel the pain a little bit in my heel.

[@subhashchawda7767]

🙏🙏🙏

[@ryelor123]

I've been just relying on limping and taking vitamin d and calcium.

[@kreal1]

Palestine 🇵🇸 sun 🌞 melanate me give me vitamins inshallah

[@30secondsbehind80]

I'm confused my doctor removed my cast plaster after 23 days asked me rest for more 2 weeks and get a xray I just didn't get it isn't cast plaster should be for atleast six weeks

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

Not in all cases - some fractures do better if you start putting a bit of weight on them. Ask your doctor - they will be able to explain.

[@zainmuhnds6235]

I want discuss my reports so please send me email address.

[@SportsInjuryPhysio]

Hi @zainmuhnds6235 you're welcome to email us at [e-mail]