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Even with excellent medical care and consistent physical therapy, a fractured heel can sometimes leave you with permanent loss of function in your foot. This can make it difficult for you to walk, especially on uneven surfaces or up steep slopes. Talk to your doctor or physical therapist about using devices to help improve your gait and keep your foot more comfortable. Simple modifications to your shoe may be helpful in some cases. For example, you might need to wear heel pads, lifts, or heel cups in your shoes. Your doctor or physical therapist may also recommend special custom shoes or a foot brace. In some cases, you may experience pain or discomfort in your foot even after the fracture itself has completely healed. Let your doctor know if you continue to feel pain after treatment and rehabilitation. They can perform tests and exams to determine the cause of your pain and find ways to treat or manage it. Common causes of chronic pain after a heel fracture include damage to the soft tissue around the bone and failure of the bone to heal properly (e.g., if the fragments are still not aligned properly after treatment). Depending on what's causing your pain, your doctor may recommend treatments such as an orthotic device (e.g., a shoe insert or foot brace), physical therapy, medications, or surgery. If you get surgery to repair your fracture, there's a risk of damage to the nerves in your foot. If you experience nerve pain after surgery or as a result of damage from the injury, talk to your doctor about possible treatments. A few common options for managing nerve pain include: Steroid injections to reduce inflammation around the nerves. A nerve block, which involves injecting an anesthetic into the nerve to numb the pain. Medications to relieve nerve pain, such as amitriptyline, gabapentin, or carbamazepine. Physical therapy to promote faster healing. You may need additional surgery if your bone heals improperly or if you develop further complications, such as arthritis of the heel. Work closely with your doctor to monitor your healing progress, and discuss whether more surgery might be helpful for you. In some cases, it's necessary to fuse your heel bone to the talus (the bone that forms the lower part of your ankle joint). This surgery prevents movement between the bones that can aggravate your injuries.
Discuss wearing an orthotic device for gait problems. Work with your doctor to manage chronic pain. Ask about treatment options if you have nerve pain after surgery. Talk to your doctor about whether you need further surgery.