✅ Medically reviewed by Dr. Thomas Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist · Last updated April 6, 2026

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UB7B8QGFNHA

Calcaneal Stress Fracture [Causes, Symptoms & Best Home Treatment!]

Do you have a calcaneal stress fracture? Make 100% sure you are not walking on it and making it worse! A calcaneus squeeze test can help you diagnose it!

https://youtu.be/SkWtX_2yN0A

Calcaneal Stress Fracture Overview:

• The most common cause for a calaneal or heel bone stress fracture is trauma to your heel bone.
• Such as falling from high heights or a lot of force to your heel.
• In some cases constant repetitive use or over use can also cause a stress fracture.

 

Causes:

• Stress fractures occur as a cycle or repetitive loading and unloading of the bone and are not the result of a weak bone or any other systemic illness like osteoporosis!
• Read about the calcaneal squeeze test below to find out if this is you.
• You don’t want your calcaneal stress fracture getting much worse over time.
• People who develop stress fractures can be described as weekend warriors or people who start to take on too much of an activity too quickly after not preparing themselves properly.
• This would include people who went from not walking to walking many miles per day, or someone who just started training very hard for a marathon after not really running before.
• If the patient has diabetes or decreased nerve function this raises the possibility of a neuropathic fracture which is a fracture due to a lack of feeling and sensation in that area of the heel.

 

 

Symptoms :

With calcaneal stress fractures often comes pain. Pain that comes with fractures may not be felt right away but can take days to start feeling symptoms. In most calcaneal stress fracture cases causes the inability to walk or bear weight. Bruising and swelling may also occur around your heal and ankle.

• Pain
• Bruising
• Swelling

 

 

Calcaneal stress fracture squeeze test:

• this can be an effective way to make sure you don’t have plantar fasciitis or just Achilles tendinitis.
• By squeezing the calcaneus from side to side, it is more likely to feel pain if you have calcaneal stress fracture.
• It is more likely to be plantar fasciitis if your pain is at the bottom of the foot.
• It is more likely to be Achilles tendinitis if your pain is in the back of the heel or along the Achilles tendon.

 

 

Calcaneal Stress Fracture Treatment:

With any heel pain it is recommend to seek your podiatrist to confirm the diagnosis and ensure a the fastest recovery time. Depending on the fracture podiatrist will recommend different treatment. Immobilizing your foot such as a cast or boot keeps the bone in place aiding in the healing process. It is very important to stay of your foot as much as possible to keep unwanted pressure to your calcaneal bone. This in combination of RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation helps reduce swelling and helps heal. Images such as X rays will be need to determine if surgery is required.

 

• Rest (stay off foot)
• Ice
• compression (bandage)
• Elevation
• Immobilize
• Surgery

 

 

Calcaneal Stress Fracture Recovery Time:

Normally this should take 6 weeks to get to 50%, 3 months to get to 75% and 6 months to get to around 90%

---

Related Treatment Guides

• Stress Fracture Treatment
• Plantar Fasciitis & Heel Pain Treatment
• Custom 3D Orthotics
• Sports Foot & Ankle Injury Treatment

• It is important to know with any injury there may be complications.
• After healing a calcaneal stress fracture arthritis or other deformity may occur.
• This will cause unwanted pain and can only be corrected with surgery or foot wear that helps with arch support, such as orthotics or a brace.
• Consult your podiatrist to help prevent any unwanted issues and further complications.
• Physical therapy is often needed to help build strength back after recovering from surgery.

 

 

Other Treatments That May Help:

• Consider our comprehensive plantar fasciitis heel pain guide.
• If you are having Achilles tendon pain as well, there is a good chance you might be having plantar fasciitis pain to the bottom of your foot.

Medical References & Sources

• American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society — Stress Fractures
• PubMed Research — Foot Stress Fracture Management

References

1. Pegrum J, et al. Stress fractures of the foot and ankle. Clin Sports Med. 2012;31(2):291-306.
2. Berger FH, et al. Stress fractures in the lower extremity. Eur J Radiol. 2008;67(1):11-21.
3. Boden BP, Osbahr DC. High-risk stress fractures: evaluation and treatment. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2000;8(6):344-353.

Podiatrist-Recommended Products

🏆 Doctor Hoy’s Natural Pain Relief Gel — Top recommendation for reducing foot pain and inflammation naturally.

PowerStep Pinnacle Orthotic Insoles — Physician-grade arch support in an OTC package.

CURREX Support Insoles — Dynamic arch support in multiple profiles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8opvH3qxkW4