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The calcaneus bone is the big heel bone at the back of the foot. Due to overuse a stress fracture can occur in the bone. It is common for soldiers, who have to do a lot of marching, and road runners.
Calcaneal fractures can also occur from a sudden force to the heel, such as landing on the heel from a height.
Calcaneal fracture symptoms can include a gradual onset of heel pain. The pain is made worse by weight bearing activities and activity. A therapist may help diagnose the injury by squeezing the back of the heel from both side which should reproduce the pain.
Often an X-ray of the injured bone will not show any sign of fracture until the fracture has actually started to heal (2-3 weeks later). It is also possible that a stress fracture will not appear on an X-ray at all. If a stress fracture is suspected then you should rest completely for 6-8 weeks. Crutches can be helpful.
What can the athlete do about it?
What a Sports Injury Specialist or Doctor can do?