The Injury Hub
Heel Stress Fractures: Info, Symptoms & Treatment.
Our Chartered Physiotherapists across Ireland are experts in the causes, symptoms and treatment of heel stress fracture.
The Injury Hub: Heel Stress Fracture
What is a heel stress fracture?
The calcaneus is the bone in the back of the foot, commonly referred to as the heel bone and this is where the heel stress fracture occurs.
This bone helps support the foot and is important in normal walking motions. The joint on top of the calcaneus is responsible for allowing the foot to rotate inwards and outwards. A heel stress fracture is also referred to as a calcaneus fracture.
How We Can Help.
Symptoms, Treatment & How We Can Help Your Recovery.
Learn about common heel stress fracture injury symptoms, effective treatments, and how our expert team supports your recovery journey every step of the way.
Symptoms Of A Heel Stress Fracture
Calcaneus fractures cause significant swelling and pain of the back of the foot. Symptoms of a calcaneus fracture include:
Inability to walk
Swelling of the foot
Bruising of the foot
Severe heel pain
Heel Stress Fracture Treatment
If you suspect that you have a Calcaneus fracture you will need to arrange for an immediate X-Ray. Most calcaneus fractures are closed injuries, meaning the skin is intact. When the skin around the calcaneus fracture is broken, this may represent an open, also called a compound, fracture. An open fracture of the calcaneus is a surgical emergency and you should go to A&E immediately.
All patients with a calcaneus fracture should also be examined for other high-energy injuries. Studies have shown a large number of patients who have a calcaneus fracture will also have fractures of the lumbar spine (10 to 15 %). Other injures commonly occur in patients who sustain a calcaneus fracture, including injuries to the head, neck, and other extremities.
Our Expertise
The calcaneus can sustain a stress fracture, an injury common for soldiers who do a lot of marching or often seen in athletes, such as long-distance runners. Stress fractures are caused by overuse and they are a different type of injury from a traumatic fracture.
Heel Stress fractures are almost always the result of high-energy injuries. They usually occur as a result of a fall from a height, such as falling from a ladder. Other causes of a calcaneus fracture include automobile accidents and sports injuries.
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What Are Your Clinic Hours?
Monday – Friday: 8am to 8pm
Saturday: 9am to 5pm
Sunday: Closed
*Please note, opening times can vary between clinics
Where Is This Service Available?
This service is available in any of our nationwide clinics.
Am I Covered By Health Insurance?
We work with all major insurers – Vhi, Laya and Irish Life. We recommend you check your own policy for its terms and conditions to see what cover you have.
How Do I Contact You?
Our Patient Services team is available to help you Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, and Saturdays from 8:00am to 4:00pm.
Call Us: 01 611 1740
Spectrum Physio
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