A calcaneal injury affects the patient’s mobility and affects the health of not only the foot, but the entire leg. Reduced physical activity leads to muscle atrophy and negatively affects blood circulation and metabolism. Therefore, we recommend not limiting yourself to just applying a plaster cast, but be sure to consult a doctor who will draw up a program of rehabilitation measures.
Recovery after a heel fracture allows you to avoid a large number of complications, including hallux valgus, metatarsal bone deformity, degenerative changes in the joint, tendon irritation, periodic pain at the site of injury, the appearance of bone spurs, the development of flat feet, osteoporosis, arthritis, etc.
Features of recovery after a calcaneal fracture
The rehabilitation program can last up to six months, which depends on the severity of the injury, the individual characteristics of the patient (age, weight, physical activity, etc.) and the qualifications of the doctor.
The Blagopoluchiya specialist selects recovery methods individually: we do not use “template” solutions, since each case is unique, and only a personal approach allows us to solve the specific problems of each patient in the shortest possible time.
The rehabilitation program is comprehensive and consists of a number of techniques:
- Massage. It can be done even before the doctor removes the plaster cast: the massage therapist develops the areas around the plaster. The main goal of the method is to increase blood circulation. At first, the patient may experience discomfort. This is a normal reaction, but it is better to report it to a specialist.
- Physiotherapy. Particular attention is paid to the method if the fracture was displaced. The first simple exercises can be performed after the bone has healed: the patient bends and straightens the toes, rotates, flexes and straightens the foot, pulls the toe toward and away from him, walks on his toes and heels, rolls a ball with his foot, etc. Severe pain after a heel fracture there should not be: if the patient feels discomfort, then you should interrupt the training and report your condition to the doctor.
- Physiotherapy. They improve blood circulation, lymph circulation, relieve pain, inflammation, normalize metabolism, launch regeneration processes and promote faster restoration of bone and soft tissue. The doctor may prescribe electro- and phonophoresis, laser treatment, UHF, etc.
- Hydrotherapy. Usually the doctor prescribes warming baths, which restore muscle tone and normalize blood circulation.
- Proper nutrition. The diet should contain foods high in calcium, silicon and magnesium.
- Wearing orthoses and orthopedic shoes. Soft, rigid and semi-rigid orthoses reduce swelling and avoid muscle atrophy. And special insoles allow you to correctly distribute the load on the foot, making it less tired. They wear orthopedic shoes for at least six months, the doctor gives precise recommendations.
The patient is considered healthy if he can stand on the injured leg, walk and move without pain or any restrictions.
Consequences after a broken leg
The consequences of a broken leg can be different: the circulatory system and lymph flow, nerve fiber, joints, and muscles are affected. As a result of this, a person may experience lameness, a feeling of different lengths of limbs, destruction of large and small joints, development of contractures, etc.
Let's look at the most likely consequences after a broken leg - these are:
- contracture and ankylosis of joints that are immobilized during the application of a plaster cast;
- muscle fiber atrophy and tone disturbance;
- thinning of the cartilage layer inside large joints of the lower extremities (knee, hip and ankle) and the development of osteoarthritis;
- shortening of the ligamentous and tendon apparatus;
- impaired blood flow and development of varicose veins of the lower extremities;
- pinching of the nerve fiber and the occurrence of neuropathy and neuralgia;
- false joint.
Contracture and ankylosis are related conditions. They occur when a peculiar protein, fibrin, begins to be deposited inside the joint. It forms cords that impede the mobility of the joint. Gradually, the joint capsule, ligaments, tendons and muscles are involved in the process. With their secondary deformation, the joint can shamefully lose its mobility. This stage is called contracture.
Muscle atrophy is a natural process when a limb is immobilized; there is no physical impact on the muscles, they do not work and undergo dystrophy due to the lack of sufficient capillary nutrition.
Osteoarthritis of the knee or hip joint after a femur fracture is the most common complication if the rehabilitation period is carried out incorrectly. What is the cartilaginous synovial layer inside a joint? This is a shell consisting of hyaline cartilage. When the joint operates, it contracts and expands in order to properly distribute the shock-absorbing load. At this time, the cartilage tissue is nourished. If the joint is immobilized for a long time, then the cartilaginous canal is not subject to compression and expansion. Its atrophy begins.
After the cast is removed, the patient begins to actively move. Serious physical stress begins to be placed on the thinned synovial cartilaginous membrane. As a result, it disintegrates and exposes areas of bone tissue. Cracks form on them and are filled with osteophytes. This is the stage of development of deforming osteoarthritis. The disease can be treated conservatively only in the first and second stages. In the third stage, the patient can only be helped by endoprosthetic surgery.
Deformation of ligaments and tendons occurs against the background of lack of mobility. This process is part of ankylosis and contracture. It is possible to prevent deformation and shortening of the ligamentous tendon apparatus only with the help of a well-designed rehabilitation course.
Compression of the nerve fiber is a consequence of improper fusion of bone fragments. This complication requires surgical and traumatological care. Help is provided in the same way for false joints. It develops in people who do not follow the recommendations of a traumatologist, who independently remove the cast ahead of time, who drink alcoholic beverages during treatment, etc. A false joint is the formation of a joint capsule around bone fragments. The limb acquires pathological mobility in the area of the fracture.
What are the purposes of recovery procedures?
The specialist faces many tasks:
- Return muscles, ligaments and tendons to their former elasticity and normalize their tone.
- Restore motor functions of the leg, avoid muscle atrophy.
- Activate blood supply and lymph flow in the area not only of the heel, but also of the entire leg.
- Reduce tissue swelling, avoid inflammation and other complications after a fracture.
- Accelerate healing processes.
- Relieve pain syndrome.
Complex therapy, tailored individually for a particular patient, helps to accomplish these tasks. Doctors at Blagopoluchiya pay attention not only to the procedures themselves. They help patients place their feet correctly to avoid additional stress on the heel.
Application of massage
Massage is the first and best means of restoring muscle tissue. In most cases, it is indicated when a cast is placed on the free part of the leg. Even if movement is not recommended during immobilization, you can improve blood flow by gently massaging exposed areas.
After restriction of mobility, muscle atrophy, swelling due to fluid accumulation and metabolic disorders in tissues are observed. Massage helps stimulate the movement of blood and lymph, strengthen the walls of blood vessels, develop joints, helping with hands in moving the legs.
It is better to entrust the initial stage of massage to a specialist in order to understand how to perform the movements correctly. In the future, relatives will help, and it is also possible to do it yourself.
To enhance the effect, you can use massage cream or medications for external use.
Contraindications for fracture
Some patients believe that restorative procedures are necessary primarily while wearing a cast. But rehabilitation after a heel fracture after the cast is removed is no less important. During this period, you should also follow the doctor’s recommendations, do not overload the joint, and wear special orthopedic shoes selected by a specialist. Self-medication or ignoring therapy can lead to re-injury, pain, bone displacement, etc.
You can do exercise therapy after a fracture only with the permission of a doctor: even seemingly small loads can lead to serious consequences. The doctor selects the type of exercise, monitors the technique, the patient’s condition, determines the number of repetitions and range of movements.
When drawing up a rehabilitation program, the doctor carefully examines the patient to ensure that there are no contraindications to any of the recommended treatment methods. As a rule, a number of techniques are contraindicated for oncological, psychological, infectious, skin diseases, chronic diseases in the acute stage, etc.
Types of foot fractures
Treatment of a fracture of any bone involves immobilization, that is, fixation of the position for a long time. During this time, the bone should heal.
Long-term immobility leads to impaired elasticity of muscles and ligaments, weakening of blood flow, and loss of joint mobility. The foot bears the weight of the body, and gait and balance depend on its flexibility.
Fracture of the lower limb is a common injury. It is important not just to cure a foot fracture - rehabilitation after an injury will allow you to move fully, prevent swelling and pain in the leg and avoid consequences.
The skeletal part of the foot consists of 26 bones . Fractures of this part of the body are more common in adults. They usually occur:
- when jumping from a height (the heel part most often suffers);
- with a sharp shift to the left and right;
- from heavy objects falling on your foot, especially those with sharp edges.
Falling objects usually cause injury to the metatarsal bones, which can break more than one at a time. Another common cause of fractures is fatigue and overuse. The foot is often injured in professional dancers and athletes whose overstrained muscles and ligaments are unable to protect the skeleton.
When injured, surrounding tissues and blood vessels are also damaged.
Bone injuries are divided into types:
- with displacement - treatment and rehabilitation are complicated due to increased tissue trauma and the need to return the bones to their natural position;
- no offset;
- open;
- closed.
The injury can be multiple, intra-articular. Any bones can be damaged. The metatarsal parts of the skeleton are most often broken. Other types of fractures:
- fingers;
- tarsals;
- scaphoid;
- sphenoid and cuboid bones.
If any part is injured, similar symptoms are observed; an x-ray is prescribed to identify the site of destruction. Symptoms of skeletal damage to the lower limb are:
- pain, inability to step on the foot;
- swelling and redness;
- deformation, violation of the natural appearance.
For treatment, immobilization is performed, fixing the correct position. Surgery is often necessary to return the bones to their natural place and remove debris.
Important ! even an uncomplicated fracture of small bones requires seeing a doctor, applying a plaster or tight bandage and rehabilitation measures.
Calcaneal fracture: rehabilitation in
We pay close attention to each patient: our center has created all the conditions for a comfortable stay for sedentary patients. All our premises have anti-slip, threshold-free coating, wide doorways, there are ramps and handrails, we provide crutches, wheelchairs, and select orthoses and insoles.
Only modern equipment is used, and the center’s doctors regularly improve their skills in order to return patients to health and well-being in the shortest possible time.
How to properly develop a leg after a fracture
Before developing a leg after a fracture, you need to make sure that the callus is fully formed and strengthened. To do this, you need to take a control x-ray. He needs to visit an orthopedic doctor, who will develop an individual program on how to quickly develop a leg after a fracture. It will contain a set of gymnastic exercises that the patient can subsequently perform independently at home.
However, it is better to begin rehabilitation under the supervision of a specialist. There are several ways to properly develop a leg after a fracture; among their positive results, manual therapy, osteopathy, kinesiotherapy and physiotherapy stand out. Later in the article we will talk about each of the methods separately.
In the meantime, a few words about how to develop a leg after a foot fracture and completely restore the correct position. The difficulty with fractures of the bones of the foot is that they are very difficult to heal and a rough bone callus can form. It deforms the foot, disrupts the blood supply to the muscle arches, and impedes the passage of nerve fibers. All this causes a lot of trouble for the patient.
Rehabilitation should begin as early as possible. The influence of an osteopath increases blood supply to this area and reduces the risk of the formation of rough callus. Special gymnastics accelerates the process of restoring muscle elasticity. Massage and physiotherapy restore regenerative processes in tissues.
Technical features of installing and removing fasteners
If the structure with an external location is installed correctly, removing the spokes after a fracture is not difficult - the spokes are simply removed. If the fixation is intraosseous, inside the joint, using nails and screws, then a full-fledged operation is required.
Fixation with knitting needles is used to connect the joints of the limbs and fingers. It can be performed externally, when the end of the needle rises above the surface, or internally, when the entire structure is under the skin. The technique is used as a temporary measure. In some cases, if patellar fractures, clavicular or elbow injuries are fixed, stable fixation and a longer time for fusion are required.
When a hand is broken, osteosynthesis techniques are used - metal structures, knitting needles and an Ilizarov apparatus is installed. They are removed only after complete healing.
Using plates you can fix any bone. This is a convenient and reliable method. Today, many variants of such plates are used, varying in size, shape, and functionality. The plate is used for fractures of the tibia and ankle, when there is a need to fix bone fragments. Its removal occurs as planned. The time of the operation is determined by the doctor.
Intraosseous rods (pins) are used to fix tubular bones - for example, in case of a fracture of the collarbone or leg. Such operations are performed quickly and are characterized by minimal trauma. After fixation, loading is allowed in just a few days.
Removal of the structure is carried out in half an hour if the installation was carried out correctly. If there is damage to the threads or screws, it becomes necessary to drill out the elements.
Lateral hip stretch
Stand against a wall with one arm for support.
Cross your legs, with your healthy leg in front and your working leg closer to the wall. Then stretch the thigh of the leg you are working towards the wall without lifting it off the floor. Hold the achieved position for 15-30 seconds. Return to the starting position. Repeat 3 times. Do stretching exercises until the pain subsides and your hip gets used to the load. Recommended 1 week. Next, you need to add exercises to strengthen your thigh muscles.