Heel Pain & Stress Fractures

A typical fracture takes 6-8 weeks to heal in an average adult. This timeframe can be similar with stress fractures, or can be decreased if treated early and aggressively. If the bone is not given enough time and rest to heal itself, additional stress can cause the stress fracture to break fully through the bone. If this occurs, especially in the heel bone, it leads to detrimental arthritis that usually requires surgery somewhere in the future.

The best chance of not missing a stress fracture and having continued pain and worsening problems is to be aware of the signs of a stress fracture and to address the issue sooner rather than later. Stress fractures of the calcaneus (heel bone) causes pain in the heel. The intensity of the pain and how it impacts your activity is also important to note. In many cases, a stress fracture will cause enough pain that a person literally feels like they cannot walk or run any farther. The person will also notice some swelling in the foot and, if ignored, the pain will go from being present only with walking/running to being painful even at rest.

Be in tune with your body and listen if your heel is telling you to stop. In the best case scenario, stress fractures can calm down and heal in 3-4 weeks rather than 6-8. Make an appointment with your podiatrist if you start having heel pain!

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