Lyle is cleaning gutters on a roof when the ladder slips and he crashes feet-first to the ground.
What potentially devastating fracture is associated with a feet-first ladder fall?
Answer: Calcaneus (heel) fractures. These typically occur in falls greater than 6 feet.
What complications may result?
75% of heel fractures are intra-articular, meaning the fracture extends from the bone into the nearby joint. This is significant because there is a high incidence of long-term pain and disability with intra-articular heel fractures.
Vertebral injuries occur with heel fractures 25% of the time, usually lower or mid-back compression fractures.
Compartment syndrome is an issue in 10% of cases. Bleeding and swelling in the central compartment of the foot can cause a buildup of pressure to the point of severe nerve and muscle damage. Irreversible functional impairment may result.
(Source: https://lnkd.in/ex3KwVUb)
