Calcaneus Contusion

Calcaneal fat pad contusion, or fat pad syndrome, occurs when the fat pad under the heel becomes irritated. There is a fat pad that sits under the heel to protect the bone while walking and standing. When this fat pad shifts around, it exposes the heel bone (calcaneus) causing more pressure/less cushioning.

The calcaneus is at risk for injury because it is the sole bone that makes initial contact with the ground when the athlete walks, jogs, or lands from a jump. Surrounding the calcaneus is elastic adipose (fat) tissue for the purpose of cushioning and protecting the calcaneus from impact injuries.

The skin and sensation is usually normal, although occasionally this injury can cause the nerve that runs on the outside of the foot (sural nerve) to be irritated, leading to burning or numbness over the outside of the foot. A fracture of the anterior process of the calcaneus can usually be seen on a plain x-ray lateral view of the foot (Figure 3).

A bone bruise in each calcaneus was diagnosed, and the patient was immobilized for 5 days using local and systemic antiinflammatory agents until swelling was reduced. Lateral bone scans of both feet 2 days after trauma showing high tracer uptake in both hindfeet. Left = LI; right = RE.

The calcaneus is the bone in the foot that bears most of the weight during the heel strike phase of an athlete’s forward movement.

Fall or moderate impact can result in fracture of calcaneus or broken heel bone in patients suffering with osteoporosis. Calcaneus Fracture or Broken Heel Caused Due To Stress Fracture- Forceful contraction of tendo achilles, which is attached to calcaneal bone causes stress fracture of calcaneal bone. 3

Such fractures take more time to heal and the chances of complications are also quite high. Closed Fracture of the Calcaneus or Heel Bone: Such fractures of the calcaneus or the heel bone may not break through the skin, but may still severely damage the internal structures.

Plantar fasciitis or painful heel syndrome is an inflammatory reaction due to chronic irritation of the plantar aponeurosis (fascia) at its origin on the calcaneus (heel bone).

Fractures of the tarsal bones account for only about 2% of all adult fractures and only half of tarsal fractures are calcaneus fractures. A fracture may cause the heel bone to widen and shorten. In some cases, a fracture may also enter the subtalar joint in the foot.

Whether the bone is simply cracked or completely shattered, the symptoms related to calcaneus fracture are often similar between both. Symptoms of calcaneus fracture can include: Significant ankle pain: Especially when the heel is squeezed

Usually, pain of calcaneal stress occurs with activity such as walking or running. In addition, people report swelling in the heel and limping or difficulty walking. It is important to differentiate this problem from other causes of heel pain such as plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis.

Pain may be caused by plantar fasciitis, calcaneal fractures, calcaneal apophysitis, heel pad atrophy, inflammatory diseases or related with nerve involvement. Tibial, plantar and/or medial nerve entrapment are the neural causes of pain. Most of the heel soft tissue sensation is provided by medial calcaneal nerve.

Calcaneal fractures occur on the calcaneus or heel bone, a large bone that forms the foundation of the rear part of the foot. The calcaneus connects with the talus and cuboid bones. The connection between the talus and calcaneus forms the subtalar joint.

The calcaneus not only provides support as you walk, but also connects your calf muscles to your foot. This allows you to push off as you take a step forward. Figure 1: Skeleton model showing the location of the calcaneus or heel bone in relation to the ankle joint and other bones of the foot.

What is calcaneus. Calcaneus or heel bone, is one of seven tarsal bones that forms the heel of the foot. The weight of the body is carried primarily by the two largest tarsal bones, the talus, which articulates with the tibia and fibula superiorly, the strong calcaneus, which forms the heel of the foot.

The talus and the calcaneus sit in the proximal part of the foot and ankle, and are involved in transmitting forces from the body to the ground. They are the most frequently fractured of all the tarsal bones.