Heel Pain Quiz: Did I Break My Heel Bone? Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Introduction

Heel pain is an extremely common foot problem that affects millions of people. When you experience sudden, severe heel pain, your first thought may be - did I break my heel? Determining if your heel is broken or merely bruised or sprained is important, as a broken heel requires prompt medical treatment.

In this comprehensive guide, we will cover the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment for broken heels. We have also included a heel pain quiz to help you identify if your heel is likely broken or if you may be dealing with another common cause of heel pain, like plantar fasciitis.

Symptoms of a Broken Heel

Some key symptoms that may indicate a broken heel bone include:

Sudden Onset of Severe Pain

You feel a very sharp, intense heel pain suddenly after trauma like falling from a height and landing hard on your feet. The pain does not ease up after a few minutes.

Swelling

Your heel starts to swell quickly after injury as blood pools around the broken bone.

Bruising

The skin over the heel turns black and blue, with dark bruising spreading over the back and side of the heel.

Inability to Bear Weight

Attempting to stand on your injured heel is extremely painful. You are unable to walk normally.

Deformity

The heel looks visibly deformed or out of place, indicating the bone is fractured.

Joint Instability

Your ankle and heel joint feel unstable and loose, suggesting a dislocation along with the fracture.

Causes of a Broken Heel

Some of the most common causes of a broken heel include:

Falls

Falling from a significant height and landing hard on your feet is a prime cause of heel fractures. The impact often shatters the calcaneus heel bone.

Car Accidents

Forced plantarflexion of the foot during a high-impact car collision can lead to calcaneal fractures.

Stress Fractures

Repeated microtrauma from high-impact activities like running may cause tiny cracks in the heel bone that eventually lead to a break.

Bone Disease

Osteoporosis and other bone disorders weaken the heel bone, increasing the risk of fractures.

Diagnosing a Broken Heel

To diagnose a broken heel, the doctor will:

Take a Medical History

Information about how the injury occurred, your symptoms, and any medical conditions provides clues about a possible broken heel.

Conduct a Physical Exam

Checking for tenderness, swelling, bruising and deformity indicates if the heel bone likely fractured.

Order Imaging Tests

X-rays, CT scans or MRI scans of the foot can pinpoint the location and severity of the heel fracture.

Heel Pain Quiz: Is My Heel Broken or Bruised?

Take this quick heel pain quiz to determine if your symptoms point to a broken heel or another common cause of heel pain like plantar fasciitis:

When did the pain begin?

A) Sudden, severe pain after trauma like falling – suggests a broken heel

B) Gradual onset of ache after increased activity – points to plantar fasciitis

Where is the pain located?

A) Concentrated on the back or side of the heel – common with a heel fracture

B) Worst with the first steps of the day or after sitting – typical of plantar fasciitis

What makes the pain worse?

A) Any weight-bearing causes sharp pain – indicates a possible fracture

B) Pain worsens after activity but eases with rest – suggests plantar fasciitis

Is there swelling or bruising?

A) Significant swelling and bruising of the heel – signals likely fracture

B) Mild or no swelling/bruising of heel – more consistent with plantar fasciitis

Does the heel appear deformed?

A) Heel looks severely out of place – high suspicion for fracture

B) Heel appears normal in shape – would fit with plantar fasciitis

Treatment for a Broken Heel

Treatment for a broken heel bone involves:

Immobilization

Wearing a cast, boot or splint for 6-8 weeks to stabilize the fracture as it heals.

Rest

Strictly limiting weight-bearing by using crutches or a wheelchair to allow the heel fracture to heal.

Ice

Icing the heel regularly helps decrease pain and inflammation.

Medication

Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or prescription pain medication may be needed.

Physical Therapy

Once the cast is removed, PT exercises can help regain flexibility and strength.

Surgery

Severely displaced or unstable fractures may need open reduction internal fixation surgery to implant rods, screws or plates to stabilize the bones.

Recovery and Return to Activity

Recovering from a broken heel can be a lengthy process. It often takes:

• 6-10 weeks for complete bone healing
• 3-6 months for return to normal daily activities
• 6-12 months for full recovery to high impact sports

Following your doctor's instructions for immobilization, limited weight-bearing, and physical therapy is key to ensuring proper healing.

Preventing Future Heel Fractures

You can lower your risk of breaking your heel bone again by:

• Wearing proper footwear with arch support and shock absorption
• Using caution on uneven surfaces
• Improving balance and proprioception with exercise
• Getting treatment for osteoporosis if present
• Starting exercise gradually to avoid stress fractures

When to See a Doctor

You should seek prompt medical evaluation for sudden, severe heel pain after injury to determine if it is fractured. Early immobilization leads to better outcomes with a broken heel.

See a podiatrist or orthopedic surgeon if heel pain does not improve with rest, icing, activity modification and over-the-counter medications within a few weeks to determine the underlying cause.

While broken heels are certainly painful, most will heal well with proper treatment and time. Talk to your doctor if you suffer a heel injury to get on the path to recovery as quickly as possible.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.