How Does a Broken Heel Happen?
A broken heel can happen in different ways, and all of these involve severe accidents. The calcaneus, which is the main bone of the heel, is one of the most essential parts of the body. The heel serves several vital functions, which include:
- Supporting the weight of the body.
- Providing a place for the Achilles tendon to insert.
- Articulating with the ankle to provide stability and flexibility to the joint.
- Forming the arch of the foot which provides added balance and support.
When the heel breaks, all of these functions are compromised, and the treatment process can be complicated.
A Broken Heel can Happen in an Auto Accident
The heel is one of the thickest bones in the body. Therefore, a heel fracture requires a high-energy event such as an auto accident. In a car crash, the heel can suffer a direct impact in certain types of motor vehicle collisions. When people have to stop short, they extend their feet to the front of the vehicle to slam on the brakes. If there is an impact at the front of the car during this process, the heel could bear the brunt of the force. This high-energy impact could be enough to lead to a severe heel fracture.
Falls from a Great Height
Another high-energy event that might lead to a heel fracture is a fall from a great height. This is one of the most common ways that people break one or both of their heels. A few examples include:
- A fall from a second story window (or higher)
- A tumble from a balcony
- Slip and fall accidents from the top of a roof
- Falling from a ladder
If they land flat on their feet, this direct impact could lead to a broken heel.
Crush Injuries Leading to Heel Fractures
Crush injuries are also capable of leading to serious heel injuries. There are a few ways that people might sustain a crush injury of their heel. A few of these include:
- A heavy object might be dropped on top of the heel while someone is sitting or laying on the ground.
- Crush injuries of the heel can happen if a ceiling or roof caves in.
- Heavy machinery is capable of sucking someone’s foot into the gears, leading to a heel crush injury.
Crush injuries of the heel can lead to a series of serious complications. In a crush injury, the bone is often broken in multiple spots, leading to serious complications. This can lead to a challenging recovery process.
Watch YouTube Video: Fractures of the Calcaneus. This video provides an overview of everything you need to know about a broken heel.
Relying on an Injury Lawyer
A broken heel can lead to long-term complications, including limb-length discrepancy, arthritis, and a loss in the range of motion of the foot and ankle. Surgery is almost always required to correct a broken heel. This can place families under significant stress. For assistance with this situation, it is smart to speak to a personal injury lawyer in Sacramento. A trained injury lawyer can help families assess the accident, look at the injuries, and pursue damages that can help in the recovery process.
Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer. A broken heel occurs in a high-energy accident and can lead to long-term health consequences. Should you or someone you care about sustain a severe heel injury following a traumatic accident, please reach out to me at (800) 404-5400 or (916) 921-6400 to receive free, friendly legal guidance and advice.
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