Jelpke Elizabeth, Pattnaik Saphalya, Sidhu Gur Aziz
Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic, University Hospital Lewisham, London, England.
J Orthop Case Rep. 2025 Sep;15(9):185-187. doi: 10.13107/jocr.2025.v15.i09.6062.
Although uncommon, the calcaneus stress fracture is an important differential diagnosis of both traumatic and non-traumatic foot pain. The calcaneus is one of the tarsal bones that are prone to stress fractures, which usually occur as a result of overuse. The diagnosis of stress fractures is aided by plain radiographs, with the mainstay of management usually conservative.
This case report is of a 57-year-old female who presented with instant left-sided heel pain after stepping off a step at home. Investigations included plain radiographs of the left foot and ankle, with no obvious fractures visible. As a result, a magnetic resonance imaging was obtained, which confirmed a stress fracture of the left os calcis. Management remained conservative, with the patient placed in an ankle boot for 4-6 weeks with non-weight bearing instructions provided. Heel pain can be caused by a stress fracture of the calcaneus, and although these injuries are usually caused by repetitive forces, this case study provides a reminder that they can also be caused by acute trauma.
Calcaneal stress fractures, typically due to overuse, can also result from acute trauma and may require MRI for diagnosis when plain radiographs are inconclusive. The mainstay of treatment is conservative management.
跟骨应力性骨折虽不常见，但却是创伤性和非创伤性足部疼痛的重要鉴别诊断。跟骨是跗骨之一，容易发生应力性骨折，通常是过度使用所致。X线平片有助于应力性骨折的诊断，其主要治疗方法通常是保守治疗。
本病例报告的是一名57岁女性，在家中从一级台阶上下来后立即出现左侧足跟疼痛。检查包括左足和踝关节的X线平片，未见明显骨折。因此，进行了磁共振成像检查，证实左侧跟骨应力性骨折。治疗仍采用保守治疗，患者穿着踝靴4 - 6周，并给予不负重的医嘱。足跟疼痛可能由跟骨应力性骨折引起，虽然这些损伤通常由重复性外力导致，但本病例研究提醒我们，它们也可能由急性创伤引起。
跟骨应力性骨折通常因过度使用所致，也可能由急性创伤引起，当X线平片诊断不明确时可能需要磁共振成像检查。主要治疗方法是保守治疗。
