Can a comminuted heel fracture be treated conservatively?

Comminuted fracture of the heel bone can be treated conservatively if it does not involve the talar joint, or if the patient is old, has serious medical diseases, and is not suitable for surgical treatment. After the comminuted fracture of the heel bone, the soft tissue swelling is serious, therefore, immediately after the fracture, it is usually taken to elevate the affected limb and other measures to reduce swelling, which is conducive to the selection of treatment options and timing of surgery. The treatment plan for comminuted heel fracture is based on whether or not the articular surface is involved. If the subtalar joint surface is not involved, or if it is involved but not displaced, conservative treatment such as swelling reduction, pain relief, manipulation and cast immobilization can be used. Conservative treatment may also be used if the patient is too old and has a serious medical condition that precludes surgical treatment. The heel bone is mainly cancellous, which often causes comminuted collapse fracture after violent injury, mostly high-energy injuries, often due to traffic accidents or falling from heights, and the soft tissues of the foot are crushed and severely injured. If there is a comminuted fracture of the heel bone, it is recommended to complete the relevant examinations to clarify the degree of injury, and follow the doctor’s instructions to choose the appropriate treatment program to avoid delaying the condition.