Condition Library
Rearfoot
Calcaneal Stress Injury
A stress reaction or crack in the heel bone from repetitive loading.
Symptoms
- Diffuse heel pain
- Pain with squeezing the heel
- Swelling
Risk factors
- Rapid increase in training
- Low bone density
- Low energy availability
What usually helps
- Protected weight-bearing
- Walking boot
- Bone health evaluation
When to see a podiatrist
Promptly if heel pain follows a training increase.
Warning signs
- • Inability to bear weight
Podiatrify provides educational information and risk guidance and does not provide a medical diagnosis. Symptoms involving severe pain, rapidly spreading infection, black or blue tissue, major trauma, loss of circulation, or systemic illness may require urgent medical evaluation.