Calcaneal Fracture Rehabilitation
editRehabilitation for a calcaneal fractures is dependent on whether surgery was required or not. Both types of rehabilitation require three phases in which only the first phase is different.
Phases
editThe first phase of the rehabilitation after surgery includes keeping the foot elevated and iced for the first 2 days after the operation [1]. After those 2 days, using crutches or a wheelchair in which there is no weight applied to the affected foot is recommended to getting around. If no operation was performed, the foot should be submitted to frequent range of motion exercises [2]. The second phase occurs 6 weeks after and consists of keeping the foot elevated and iced while resting and performing exercises in which only slight weight is applied to the affected area for the next two weeks, others recommend six weeks of this phase [3]. In this phase range of motion exercises should be implemented if surgery was needed for the fracture. The third and final phase of rehabilitation of calcaneal fractures is to allow the full body weight to be used and use crutches or a cane if needed, between 13 weeks to a year the patient is allowed to resume normal activities [4].
Rehabilitation Exercises
editExercises that can be used for the range of motion phase can include eversion and inversion of the ankle, flexion and extension of the ankle, and a combination of the two motions to create a circular foot motion. Exercises that allow slight to full body weight to be used in the final phases include stepping forward then back, side-stepping, and leg stand.
References
edit- ^ "Calcaneus Fracture - Heel Fracture - PhysioAdvisor." PhysioAdvisor - Physiotherapy, Sports Injuries, Diagnosis, Treatment - Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Jan. 2013. <http://www.physioadvisor.com.au/13134150/calcaneus-fracture-heel-fracture-physioadvisor.htm>.
- ^ Godges, Joe, and Robert Klingman. "Calcaneal Fracture and Rehabilitation." Foot-Calcaneal Fracture. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Jan. 2013. <xnet.kp.org/socal_rehabspecialists/ptr_library/09FootRegion/31Foot-CalcanealFracture.pdf>.
- ^ Hatzokos, I, D Karataglis, P Papadopoulos, C Dimitriou, A Christodoulou, and J Pournaras. "Tips & techniques. Treatment of intra-articular comminuted os calcis fractures.." Orthopedics 29 (2006): 25-29. Print.
- ^ Nicklebur, Scott, and Jason Calhoun. "Medscape: Medscape Access." Medscape: Medscape Access. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Jan. 2013. <http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1232246-treatment>.