Was having a great holiday in Mauritius, untill I decided that I would be fine to get back through a wave at one eye. Well bad decision, for the un initiated it is a super quick barreling wave, potentially very gnarly on it's day. This particular day was small about 6 foot. Next thing I get stuck in back footstrap and feel almighty force just prior to feeling something snapping and breaking in my foot. So my foot is now wobbling around.
First priority was to make it back to shore, which took 40 mins and finally a rescue boat from ion club. Medical care was very average to say the least, in fact the clinic doc, came to tell me the good news of no fracture on xray to my hotel. This I knew was incorrect and after a 5/7 wait rice and bed rest, ct. scan confirmed the bad news. So I have a comminuted intraarticular fracture of my Calcaneal bone. Surgery was 8/7 ago and now the long road back. So anyone else done a calc, if so how long for recovery and how's your kiting going?
I do have a good friend who landed on restaurant roof at lano, who pulverized his calc and he's been hammering along for the 10yrs since then

yep - I broke both calcaneus (left and right heel bones) a couple of years ago in a motor cycle accident. I was lucky as they were fractured but stable, and didn't require any surgery. I was in a wheelchair for a couple of weeks and towards the end of 6 weeks i was wearing 2 moon boots and crutching around. I got back into kiting as soon as the Doc gave me the all clear - basically when I could walk wearing sneakers, TT was a bit uncomfortable initially but surfboard downwind was fine. No issues since then. Best of luck with your recovery !

Thanks James, sounds like you had a good result.
My Ortho was quite optimistic post surgery but warned about uneven ground and ongoing stiffness. We will see.

For sure don't rush it as these types of foot injuries take time.
I'm out for a while with a broken medial cuneiform. Long story short I was diagnosed incorrectly after the injury and I'm back where I was 8 weeks ago.
Once you are out of your cast or moon boot wear a compression sock to help with circulation as most the bones in the foot aren't very good blood flowing joints. Found this has helped me a lot. No walking around in barefeet or thongs. Wear a well supportive shoe with a good gel sole insert and compression sock this should help you a bit with recovery.
All the best.

Hay mate I shattered my left heel bone about 5 months ago








With out a doubt the most painful injury I've done in a long line of injuries.
I'm planning and working towards a Christmas return to the water.
My progression has gone as follows.

First month doing nothing

Month 2 walking on crutches and swimming laps. Also stated walking in the pool ( start in deep end so that 90% of your weight is supported by water and slowly work your way to the shallow end so only 50% of your weight is support a by the water) also started walking in moon boot around this time.

Month 3 started walking again in shoes and return to work but still sore and limping. Started back in the gym very slow and light though.


Month 4 can walk up to 5 kilometres now pain free and can squat up to 100 kg (I'm 70kg) but still have a long way to go.

Take it easy bro this one is $hit

Yep. Shattered mine 6 years ago. 12 screws, 3 plates and a bone graft. 3 months off work. Moon boot etc.
If possible, get the metal work out within 8 months before the bone grows over the screws.
Once the surgical scares heel get in the pool and walk or swim up and down as much as possible.
I have limited mobility in the joint but can still run and walked 180 km only 2 years later.
Was back kiting after 8 months although it was painful.

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KIT33R said...
If possible, get the metal work out within 8 months before the bone grows over the screws.

Is that what you did?
Ive been told the bone will set harder with the plate and screws still there (eg scaffolding in concrete) so why remove?

Thanks guys great info and nice xrays. Will take it slowww

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Capt Loopy said..

KIT33R said...
If possible, get the metal work out within 8 months before the bone grows over the screws.

Is that what you did?
Ive been told the bone will set harder with the plate and screws still there (eg scaffolding in concrete) so why remove?

I had a plate interfering with the cuboid bone in front of the calcaneus and rubbing on tendons. It felt generally a whole lot better without the metal work. The surgeon also said I'd probably want it out after 6 months and he was right. True, it does mean a second operation but after 1 week post op I was walking without a boot.

Fractured and shattered both my calcaneous. 12 screw and a plate. 3 months of a wheel chair then progressed fast from there. had my first kite session at 7 months with lots of pain. Started kiting fairly regular at the 1 year mark. Still cant run and deal with some pain and swelling regularily but back kiting, 1 year 3 months. My fractured heal is 100 percent though. was really good at the 6 month mark.

Ouch, Den! Sorry to hear that's what you've done. Looks awful. Rest up and recover well.

I guess you have read this: orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/calcaneus-heel-bone-fractures

Best. TT.

Cheers TT, recovery going well, yes is a nasty injury, however we
Will be back. Might stick to Manawa in the future

Fractured my right heel, but luckily did not displace. Treated as a severe sprain by a regional hospital. Took 5 weeks to diagnose the fracture (x-Ray missed it but MRI found it), but fortunately had started to knit. 90% at 6mths and fully healed and pain free at 9. Hope you get a good result too.