The wires are then removed, and a plate and screws are placed. Your surgeon will put the bony fragments into position to restore the general alignment of the heel.Īll fragments are temporarily held in position with small removable wires. Sural nerve and the peroneal tendons are moved out of the way and the skin is held back by placing wires in key positions. For the standard open approach, a hockey stick or "L" incision is made on the outside of the heel. Surgery can be a same-day procedure or planned with a hospital stay.Ī tourniquet is used to minimize bleeding and to ensure proper visualization of critical structures that are protected during the surgery. The addition of a regional block can provide 12-24 hours of pain controlĪfter surgery. General anesthesia, used to put a patient to sleep during surgery, commonly is used along with a regional nerve block, which involves a local injection to help with pain control. The size and location of the incision and the type of screws and plates used are based on skin quality and the surgeon's judgment on how to best access and fix the broken fragments of bone. In this procedure, your surgeon makes multiple small incisions in critical areas around the heel, realigns the broken fragments with the help of X-rays, and places screws through The technique of "closed" reduction and percutaneous fixation can sometimes be utilized. The fracture fragments are restored to the best possible position and a plate and screws hold the fragments in place. The incision is likened to a hockey stick or large "L" where the overlying nerve and tendons are moved out of the way. In a classic "open" procedure, your surgeon will make an incision The most common surgical techniques foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons utilize to treat broken heel bones involve cutting through the skin to place the bone back together and using plates and screws to hold the alignment until the bones heal. Smoking is considered harmful for wound and fracture healing and smokers should quit before any planned calcaneus surgery. Medications such as immuno-suppressants or steroids may slow healing and delay or preclude surgery. Wrinkles, indicating the dangerous swelling has gone away. Surgery can safely proceed when the skin at the surgical site at the lateral heel It may be severe enough to delay surgery for weeks or preclude it altogether. Heel surgery often is delayed due to the swelling that can accompany these injuries. Elderly individuals may have difficulty with surgical rehabilitation. Patients with poor blood flow may also haveĭifficulty healing properly. Patients with diabetes may be at increased risk for infection or wound healing problems. Surgery may not be needed if the shape of the heel is generally in tact. Your surgeon may require both X-rays and a CT scan to determine if surgery is your best option. Of the fracture is best made through a CT scan. The specific type, pattern, and classification Your foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon typically identifies this type of fracture after performing a physical examination and obtaining standard foot and ankle X-rays. Surgery is recommended when a broken heel bone has lost its alignment and contour. Restoration of normal alignment and contour is considered the best way to restore function and minimize pain. The goal of heel fracture surgery is to restore the shape of the heel bone as close to normal as possible. Treatment of these fractures may require surgery. Occur after a fall from a height or car accident. Fractures or breaks of the calcaneus commonly
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