Beware of the Lover’s Fracture

When you hear “lover’s fracture,” you may think of heartbreak or something related to a break up. But it’s actually a literal fracture in the largest bone in your heel, the calcanius. Also referred to as a “Don Juan fracture,” these terms are thought to have originated from a scenario where a lover fractures his heel as a result of jumping to flee from a mistress’ husband. Lover’s fractures are as painful as they sound, and typically result from high impact trauma, such as car accidents or falling from a great height. Getting proper treatment is crucial for a successful recovery.

 

The calcaneus is often described to be similar to a hardboiled egg, with a hard outer shell and a softer core on the inside. Therefore, these fractures can be very serious, as the inner area can fragment into multiple pieces, making recovery difficult especially for people who have weakened bones from osteoporosis.

 

Types of Lover’s fractures

The calcaneus is a complex structure and is connected to joints and connective tissues, and the type of fracture can dictate the severity.

  • Intra-articular fractures involve the joints and are the most severe type that typically also involve damage to the cartilage and connective tissues between the bones.

  • Extra-articular fractures do not involve the joints but may result in stress fractures or  tendons or ligaments breaking off of the bone.

 

No matter what type of calcaneal fracture you have, it’s important to seek help from a podiatrist immediately to minimize damage and pain. Symptoms may include:

  • Extreme pain

  • Bruising

  • Swelling

  • Inability to bear weight

  • Deformity of the heel

 

Treatment

Treatment options for Lover’s fractures differ greatly according to the severity and condition. Nonsurgical treatments may include immobilizing the foot in a cast or following the RICE protocol (rest, ice, compress, elevate). For more serious cases, a podiatrist may decide that surgical repair is the best option. Lover’s fractures can lead to long-lasting consequences like arthritis, limited movement, and even shorten the heel length of the affected foot. Therefore, it’s important to seek help from a highly-skilled podiatric surgeon who can give you the best chance at success and provide physical therapy and custom orthotics to support your recovery.

 

High-quality foot and ankle care

At Precision Foot and Ankle Center, we understand the importance of having healthy, happy feet, so our foot doctors, Dr. Eric Feit, Dr. Alone Kashanian, and Dr. Roohnakhsh Maher, are dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate care. Our podiatrists utilize advanced treatment methods to treat heel injuries, diabetic foot problems, skin and toenail issues, just to name a few. Get help for your feet by scheduling an appointment today at any of our locations in Los Angeles, Torrance, and San Pedro, CA.

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