Calcaneus Fracture broken heel bone

A calcaneus fracture is a break in the heel bone — the large bone at the back of the foot that forms the heel and supports your body weight with every step. Most calcaneus fractures happen from a hard, downward impact, such as landing on the heels in a fall from a ladder or roof, a car crash, or a workplace injury. Because the heel bone takes such heavy force, these fractures range from a clean undisplaced crack to a shattered, joint-involving break.\n\nThe right treatment depends entirely on the fracture pattern and whether the subtalar joint (where the heel bone meets the ankle bone) is involved. Undisplaced fractures often heal well with protected immobilization — a cast or boot, no weight on the foot, and a staged return to walking. Displaced fractures, joint-line fractures, and breaks that change the shape of the heel often do better with surgery to restore alignment.\n\nBelow, we walk through the heel anatomy involved, the symptoms and causes we see most often, how we diagnose calcaneus fractures with X-ray and CT, and the full range of treatment options — from casting to surgical fixation.

You want answers, fast — and we’re built to give them. Most patients leave their first LAOSS visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan, not another referral chain.

Here’s what your initial visit for calcaneus fracture typically looks like:

• Detailed history — when it started, what makes it better or worse, what you’ve already tried
• Focused exam of the foot & ankle — range of motion, stability, strength, specific provocation tests
• On-site imaging at most offices: X-ray for bone, ultrasound or MRI when soft-tissue detail is needed
• A written plan with options ranging from conservative care to surgical procedures, in plain English

Schedule your evaluation with a trusted Greater Los Angeles orthopedic expert today.

At LAOSS, our foot & ankle specialists combine advanced surgical expertise with a patient-first approach. From minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to reconstruction, fracture care, and arthritis management, our physicians bring decades of experience to every case. Trusted across Los Angeles, our team is dedicated to restoring mobility, relieving pain, and helping you return to the activities you love.

A broken heel bone is a serious injury, and the early decisions matter — proper imaging, swelling control, and the right call on surgery all shape how well you walk a year later. At LAOSS, board-certified foot and ankle specialists evaluate your fracture with on-site X-ray and CT, protect the foot while swelling settles, and lay out a plan in plain English before any decision is made.\n\nWith same-day or next-week appointments at eight Los Angeles–area offices, you won't wait weeks for answers after an acute injury. Whether your fracture heals in a boot or needs surgical fixation, you'll have coordinated care — imaging, the procedure itself, and physical therapy with your in-network provider — all the way through recovery.