Fractures of the calcaneus (heel bone) are the most common tarsal bone fracture. Most calcaneal fractures occur as the result of a fall from a height greater than 14 feet. Calcaneal fractures are common among roofers and rock climbers. The second most common contributing cause to these traumatic fractures are car accidents.
Stress fractures of the calcaneus are typically the result of a sudden abrupt injury but can occur without a history of trauma.
A stress fracture of the calcaneus is a condition that is often overlooked as a differential diagnosis of heel pain. Plantar fasciitis (also called heel spur syndrome) is so common that most health care professionals will defer to plantar fasciitis as a primary diagnosis when evaluating heel pain. A good patient history, and particularly one that notes the onset and character of the pain, is very important when differentiating between plantar fasciitis and calcaneal stress fractures.
If you have had a recent trauma to the heal of your foot and pain and swelling are noted please see a medical practitioner as soon as practicable