Calcaneus Surgery ORIF Success Stories?

Hi Everyone - 

I am really glad I found this forum!  On 10/16/21 I took a 20 ft fall while topping out on a boulder and fractured by right calcaneus, fractured another bone on top of the foot (cant remember the name of the bone) and avulsed the achilles.  Decided on surgery and went in on 11/2 for them to reattach the Achilles, as well as remove bone fragments from the calcaneus fracture.  Luckily my calcaneus fracture wasn't too bad so no hardware was needed outside of the anchor used on the achilles.  The fracture on top of my foot was too far in for them to do anything so that one had to heal on its own, but the doc said I will likely get arthritis because of the fragments left in there.   It has been a roller coaster of a recovery, and there are days where I feel like I may never be "normal" again.  I have been to the climbing gym once but the shoes cause too much and i don't have enough confidence in my right foot so i'm climbing scared.  Recently I have been able to get back on the Peloton and this has been a life saver for my mental health!  I go to PT twice a week and have a solid workout routine, but its still hard feeling like i'm severely limited in what I can do.  If you couldn't tell this is my first time really injuring myself.  So I have no experience not being able to do things like go for a run, or even run around in the backyard with the kids and dogs.  Recently I have struggled with pain management because I refuse to take any more medication besides over the counter, and even with those I have a hard time taking it daily.  Most of the pain centers around where they re attached the achilles, which also happens to be where they had to shave off bone fragments.  When you look at my heel from the side you can see a large lump where it should be straight due to the missing bone, and this "lump" can get extremely painful sometimes.  It's been helpful to read about other peoples experiences, and i'm also very aware that I don't have it as bad as some.  Thanks all!

I am reposting this for the masses:

https://www.veritsult.com/2020/01/shattered-calcaneus-heels-5-years-out.html

Hope this helps more people.  Celebrex, recently has helped me last all day with minimal discomfort.  The recovery is almost minimal for the next day!  Super human drug, I have had a few friends try it and they say the same thing with bad foot injuries.  It's a fountain of youth!  Keep your head up people!

I am currently climbing 5.10 and ice climbing 4s.  My feet fatigue pretty good at 4+ but who wants to climb that hard of ice anyways, silly :)

Rhett Burroughswrote:

I am reposting this for the masses:

https://www.veritsult.com/2020/01/shattered-calcaneus-heels-5-years-out.html

Hope this helps more people.  Celebrex, recently has helped me last all day with minimal discomfort.  The recovery is almost minimal for the next day!  Super human drug, I have had a few friends try it and they say the same thing with bad foot injuries.  It's a fountain of youth!  Keep your head up people!

I am currently climbing 5.10 and ice climbing 4s.  My feet fatigue pretty good at 4+ but who wants to climb that hard of ice anyways, silly :)

Hey Rhett- good to hear from another Calcaneus Vet on here!!

I enjoyed your blog post as well- I’d say we’ve had similar experiences.. although I’m about 6x further down the road than you..

I’m interested in the Celebrex.. I stay away from pain meds and NSAIS as much as possible- but when I’ve got a huge day or I’m doing a BigWall I tend to do a cycle of Aleve and Advil.. I might talk to a doc about the Celebrex.. can you use it “as needed”? Or is it one of those meds that has to build up in your system from constant use?

Thanks man! And thanks for your post!

—Q

Quinn Hatfieldwrote:

Hey Rhett- good to hear from another Calcaneus Vet on here!!

I enjoyed your blog post as well- I’d say we’ve had similar experiences.. although I’m about 6x further down the road than you..

I’m interested in the Celebrex.. I stay away from pain meds and NSAIS as much as possible- but when I’ve got a huge day or I’m doing a BigWall I tend to do a cycle of Aleve and Advil.. I might talk to a doc about the Celebrex.. can you use it “as needed”? Or is it one of those meds that has to build up in your system from constant use?

Thanks man! And thanks for your post!

—Q

Yes, I stay away from NSAID's also.  

Celebrex is not addicting and I only take it as needed.  Big day in the mountains 2 pills (1 morn 1 eve) and I'm good all day.  Next day is pretty great too (no real pain).  Hard half day in the mtn's and 1 pill works good.

It really is great.  Cheers!

Fountain of Youth! better than Viagra :)

Just an update. I fractured my calcaneus and the head of my talus about 5.5 weeks ago and got my cast off yesterday. The doctor says the bones look good, and that I am cleared to start progressively weight-bearing. My heel actually feels pretty good, but I'm having trouble going tip-toes on the affected foot. I am about 130 pounds, and my heel can comfortably handle up to about 70 lbs, while on my tiptoes it starts to fail around 30 pounds. Did anyone else have a similar experience with the weight-bearing portion? Haven't been using the boot, but maybe I should.

Miles Daviswrote:

Just an update. I fractured my calcaneus and the head of my talus about 5.5 weeks ago and got my cast off yesterday. The doctor says the bones look good, and that I am cleared to start progressively weight-bearing. My heel actually feels pretty good, but I'm having trouble going tip-toes on the affected foot. I am about 130 pounds, and my heel can comfortably handle up to about 70 lbs, while on my tiptoes it starts to fail around 30 pounds. Did anyone else have a similar experience with the weight-bearing portion? Haven't been using the boot, but maybe I should.

Andrew sounds like you're making really fast progress. Is this with an ORIF or CRIF surgery? I'm guessing based on the timeline that you didn't have surgery. 

As to what you're describing, that sounds pretty standard. 5.5 weeks doesn't sound like much, but you'd be surprised at how much your calf muscles can atrophy during that time. I was out for about 2 months, and my calf atrophied to almost nothing. I'm 6 months out from my break (5 months from surgery) and I've still got a long ways to go in regaining that calf and toe function despite the fact that there was never any damage to the toes, joints, or muscles affecting them. it still hurts to tiptoe

Hey Peter. You are correct, I did not have surgery. I, for better or worse, had a choice due to some birth-defect-anatomical-quirks. Thanks for letting me know too, it's crazy how much atrophy damages the fine structure of the foot even though the injury is to the heel. My calf is smaller than my bicep! I know I just started this marathon recovery, and I hope that we can see each other at the finish line soon.

Miles Daviswrote:

Hey Peter. You are correct, I did not have surgery. I, for better or worse, had a choice due to some birth-defect-anatomical-quirks. Thanks for letting me know too, it's crazy how much atrophy damages the fine structure of the foot even though the injury is to the heel. My calf is smaller than my bicep! I know I just started this marathon recovery, and I hope that we can see each other at the finish line soon.

You'll likely be climbing/bouldering again sooner than later so look forward to that. Make sure to maximize your recovery with no alcohol, good diet, and any exercises your doc recommends and you'll be there before you know it

Hi all,

Posting here as I've been using this thread as a valuable resource since i fell and missed my crash pad bouldering April 18th. Fractured my calcaneus and smashed up my subtalar joint.

Following advice on this thread and other places I quickly invested in a few products to help with the NWB period:

iWalk 3.0 - amazing piece of kit if your injury and physical condition allows you to use it, not perfect and I couldn't use it when in my casts but having spent most of the time before and after surgery in a moon boot this has been valuable for cooking/cleaning/chores and in general feeling more like myself.

Limbo waterproof cover - definitely worth getting for washing yourself.

Angled cushion for leg - bought a cheap one off Amazon and my leg didn't move off once in the night.

Post surgery photo: 

Today marks 4 weeks post-surgery and my next appointment in 2 weeks (if all goes to plan) should be discussing how I progress to putting weight on my foot.

Ben

(31 y/o male in UK)

Well, 7 months post surgery I am still having pain due to a bone spur that grew after the accident and is pushing on the Achilles that was repaired.   I still can’t run or even walk up a hill without pretty significant pain.    I was hoping I would be back in the climbing gym at this point or even back climbing outside some.   I went to the doc last week and after an MRI he recommended another surgery to shave down the bone spur.  I’m ok with that part of the surgery, but he also said he will likely have to detach the Achilles in certain areas to get to it.   The recovery from this will be similar to what I have been going through the last 7 months. Not looking forward to almost starting over.   Anyone have any experience with this? 

Hi guys I took a silly lead fall 3 weeks ago and caught my foot on a ledge fracturing my left calcaneal. Similar to what others have said it was described as a biscuit that had been stood on. I'm now 3 days post surgery but find the majority of my excruciating pain is in my calf and shooting up my leg. I didn't have this pain after the fall waiting for surgery so am terrified the surgery has damaged my achilles.  Maybe this is just part of the healing process but wondered if anyone had a similar experience. I can't straighten my leg without horrendous pain nor bend forward.

Thanks 

Louise Cwrote:

Hi guys I took a silly lead fall 3 weeks ago and caught my foot on a ledge fracturing my left calcaneal. Similar to what others have said it was described as a biscuit that had been stood on. I'm now 3 days post surgery but find the majority of my excruciating pain is in my calf and shooting up my leg. I didn't have this pain after the fall waiting for surgery so am terrified the surgery has damaged my achilles.  Maybe this is just part of the healing process but wondered if anyone had a similar experience. I can't straighten my leg without horrendous pain nor bend forward.

Thanks 

I was told I had to have a ton of work done around my Achilles tendon as well and it definitely hurt in the calf. Check with them to be sure

Hi all, I am 42 and last year I was in an accident that left me with several broken bones including my right calcaneus. Everything has healed pretty well but still pain and difficulty walking because of the calc. I did not get the calc operated on but now I saw a surgeon who said he can operate and bring it closer to normal. It's a case of "malunion" the calcaneus fragments did not come back together in alignment. I am bummed out to not be able to play with my children like I used to and not being able to work out like before. In fact I barely workout now. I welcome ideas on how to navigate this incredibly challenging injury. I have embraced more sedentary activities like playing cards but it is not the same as pumping iron. Thank you for the positive posts too. 

N Dwrote:

Hi all, I am 42 and last year I was in an accident that left me with several broken bones including my right calcaneus. Everything has healed pretty well but still pain and difficulty walking because of the calc. I did not get the calc operated on but now I saw a surgeon who said he can operate and bring it closer to normal. It's a case of "malunion" the calcaneus fragments did not come back together in alignment. I am bummed out to not be able to play with my children like I used to and not being able to work out like before. In fact I barely workout now. I welcome ideas on how to navigate this incredibly challenging injury. I have embraced more sedentary activities like playing cards but it is not the same as pumping iron. Thank you for the positive posts too. 

Hey ND- 

Sorry to hear about your calcaneus! It’s a shit condition! Trust me- I did mine Over 30yrs ago and every week since someone has said “why are you limping?”.
i am still in Pain daily- but I still firmly believe you’ve got to push through.. 

I still climb, run, power lift and work full days on my feet.. yeah- I suck at doing Parkour with my kids- but at the end of the day I look back over 30yrs of getting shit done with a limp and I can’t really complain too much.. 

My general rule is “use it or lose it” find the limits of what you can handle and push them.. you’ve been dealt a shit hand and you’ll know it every day- but dropping the iron for a deck of cards isn’t the right move.. 

Just my $0.02

Welcome to the club my brother!
hit me up any time if you want 

-Q

Hi all. Shattered my left calcaneous in a ground fall 17 years ago. I call it joining the Calcaneous Club. Plate, screws, non-weight bearing for 12 weeks, super immobile foot for about a year afterwards and super painful particularly on approaches. . Typical stuff.  But by using it, over time it improved bit by bit. Is it back to where it was before the accident? Nope, not in my case but it’s pretty darn good. Good enough to enjoy 17 more years of great climbing experiences.  So in my humble opinion, if you don’t want it to stop you from climbing, keep climbing!

N Dwrote:

Hi all, I am 42 and last year I was in an accident that left me with several broken bones including my right calcaneus. Everything has healed pretty well but still pain and difficulty walking because of the calc. I did not get the calc operated on but now I saw a surgeon who said he can operate and bring it closer to normal. It's a case of "malunion" the calcaneus fragments did not come back together in alignment. I am bummed out to not be able to play with my children like I used to and not being able to work out like before. In fact I barely workout now. I welcome ideas on how to navigate this incredibly challenging injury. I have embraced more sedentary activities like playing cards but it is not the same as pumping iron. Thank you for the positive posts too. 

Hello ND i am very interested to hear what this doctor has said .... i broke my right heel last dec. and did not have a surgery to correct it at the time..  after healing it is a malunited heel and recently found a doc who removed a little bone from the lateral side to help with tendon impingment...... ive read that there are a few doctors who have reconstructed a malunited heel with good to excellent results.... from what ive read 6 to 8 moths gets the best results ...  im a very active person and have 4 kids ... 

wayne smithwrote:

Hello ND i am very interested to hear what this doctor has said .... i broke my right heel last dec. and did not have a surgery to correct it at the time..  after healing it is a malunited heel and recently found a doc who removed a little bone from the lateral side to help with tendon impingment...... ive read that there are a few doctors who have reconstructed a malunited heel with good to excellent results.... from what ive read 6 to 8 moths gets the best results ...  im a very active person and have 4 kids ... 

Hello wayne smith, it sounds like you had calcaneal wall decompression done. Good result? I take it it is not perfect if you are considering reconstructive surgery. Online there are science articles by a Remmelt and a Zwipp that say there are functional improvements, pain reduction and high subjective satisfaction to corrective osteotomy with subtalar fusion. I'm scheduled to have that done soon by doc who does it often. I worry about returning to square one with several weeks of non weight bearing but I hope it will be worth it. He said it's a tricky operation, and I have read two positive reviews of people he helped with the problem. When he saw my x ray he said 'oh boy'. So there is risk to the surgery and risk to no surgery. Consensus seems to be that subtalar fusion is safe and effective. Trickiest part is the osteotomy. 

Quinn Hatfieldwrote:

Hey ND- 

Sorry to hear about your calcaneus! It’s a shit condition! Trust me- I did mine Over 30yrs ago and every week since someone has said “why are you limping?”.
i am still in Pain daily- but I still firmly believe you’ve got to push through.. 

I still climb, run, power lift and work full days on my feet.. yeah- I suck at doing Parkour with my kids- but at the end of the day I look back over 30yrs of getting shit done with a limp and I can’t really complain too much.. 

My general rule is “use it or lose it” find the limits of what you can handle and push them.. you’ve been dealt a shit hand and you’ll know it every day- but dropping the iron for a deck of cards isn’t the right move.. 

Just my $0.02

Welcome to the club my brother!
hit me up any time if you want 

-Q

Hi Quinn, it is encouraging to hear from a calc fracture veteran. I did not expect to have pain as a daily companion but like you say we can't let that stop us. It makes me think of the movie Fight Club. How do you stay positive when you are not Tyler Durden? :)

N Dwrote:

Hello wayne smith, it sounds like you had calcaneal wall decompression done. Good result? I take it it is not perfect if you are considering reconstructive surgery. Online there are science articles by a Remmelt and a Zwipp that say there are functional improvements, pain reduction and high subjective satisfaction to corrective osteotomy with subtalar fusion. I'm scheduled to have that done soon by doc who does it often. I worry about returning to square one with several weeks of non weight bearing but I hope it will be worth it. He said it's a tricky operation, and I have read two positive reviews of people he helped with the problem. When he saw my x ray he said 'oh boy'. So there is risk to the surgery and risk to no surgery. Consensus seems to be that subtalar fusion is safe and effective. Trickiest part is the osteotomy. 

N D  ive read that a doctor in korea has done the corrective osteotomy as a subtalar sparing procedure ... meaning no fusion. the study i read just finished its midterm review and only one or two had gone on to subtalar fusion.  the doctor i had met with told me he would attempt to correct my bohlers angle  if the posterior facet looked good .... i showed him the studies and he was not aware of them ,  there is a possibility of faceotomy where they can remove a part of the facet i heard a  doc from india say about 20 percent. when i talk to the doctors that i have seen they are very dismissive and seem to just want to fuse me...  https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235787880_Reconstruction_of_Calcaneal_Fracture_Malunion_With_Osteotomy_and_Subtalar_Joint_Salvage_Technique_and_Outcomes

that is what ive read ...

im walking now for two weeks and it still seems that the peroneal tendon is not in the right place and causes pain when wearing boots n shoes .... the joint is stiff in the morning but loosens up... being my ankle bone is tipped back about 1 cm my big toe and the next one dont touch the ground.  i live on a 10 acre hobby farm... i dont have any sidewalks out here so uneven ground is all i have to walk on. i have good eversion , only about 10 to 15 % of inversion . because of the ankle bone being tilted back i have about 60 % of the downward motion of my foot and the upward is same as good foot  im just babbling i guess....   

i will deal with what ever i end up with ..... i just figure its 2022 and science can tell what humans ate 3000 years ago.... we can build robotic feet and have created nano bots... fixing a foot shouldnt be unheard of at this point.... maybe im just unrealistic.? i type that with a smile hahahahaha

I just wanted to chime in. I broke my calcaneus about 4 months ago now, with a Sanders Type 2 fracture. Opted out of surgery, and I can say that I am now getting to the point where I can start forgetting that I have the injury. It's a long road, but if you keep positive and take the small victories as they come, you will eventually find yourself victorious. I have since returned to climbing, skateboarding, and jiujitsu/muay thai and my foot feels better every day. Take pt serious, and weight lifting on machines (especially leg presses/calf curls) has been tremendously beneficial. And stretch it!