CALCANEAL FRACTURE

Calcaneal Fracture

• Also known as a "lover's fracture," fractures of the calcaneus are usually the result of a fall from height.
• A Boehler's angle less than 20 degrees is a characteristic sign of calcaneal fracture. However, it is important to realize that compression fracture is not excluded by a normal Boehler's angle.
• In 10% of cases, calcaneal fractures occur bilaterally.
• When evaluating a calcaneal fracture, it is important to determine whether the fracture line involves the subtalar joint. CT is usually essential in performing this evaluation.
• Calcaneal fractures can often be associated with spinal compression fractures and fractures of the femoral necks and tibial plateaus. For this reason, films of the thoracic and lumbar spine, tibial plateaus and femoral necks may be required for the patient with a calcaneal fracture in order to exclude other fractures.

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In addition to the anterior and posterior calcaneal fractures shown in the images above, compression and stress fractures of the calcaneus are also common. Look at the two images below showing compression fractures of the calcaneus.