It feels like we’re always waiting for the next Olympic Games, but the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics are on the way! For one athlete, waiting for the next games is a memory from not too long ago. In 2018, while preparing to make her professional debut at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, British snowboarder Katie Ormerod broke her heel bone.

The injury was devastating and required surgeries and rehabilitation. It put a big pause on her next steps. While training, she came off of a rail too early. The snowboarder split her right heel bone in half. She would go on to miss the 2018 games. She instead focused on recovering, which included learning how to walk on that foot again. After making a challenging recovery, Ormerod returned. In March 2020, she took home the World Cup snowboard title. As a Briton, she was the first to celebrate this achievement. She is now focused on bringing her best to this year’s games.

As podiatrists, the doctors at the New Jersey Podiatric Physicians & Surgeons Group know that a break in a bone is also known as a fracture. Is a broken heel bone common? No. Are there other fractures that are more common? Absolutely. Many of these fractures are caused by minor trips or injuries from sports.

What causes a heel bone fracture?

If you’re not a World Cup snowboarding champion, you may be wondering how one breaks their heel bone. It’s all about force. The injury occurs when the heel has to take on the full weight of the human body. High-impact events like falls and accidents are causes, too.

How are common fractures treated?

We like to remind our patients of the different types of fractures. Each one may vary in severity and can require a different treatment option. It can be difficult to look at swelling or bruising and guess if there is a break in the bone and the severity of the injury. We encourage you to contact a medical professional. Our team can provide a specific assessment with ultrasound, MRI, or X-ray.

For everyday injuries, we’re here for you and your family. Even the best athletes experience broken bones.

At the New Jersey Podiatric Physicians & Surgeons Group, there are almost 30 foot and ankle surgeons, podiatrists, and doctors. With more than 30 locations, from Newark, NJ, to Cape May, NJ, we value convenience and excellent service for our patients. We offer compassionate, cutting-edge care across our network, and we specialize in treating the following conditions: ankle and sports injuries, heel pain and plantar fasciitis, bunions, hammertoes, corns and calluses, ingrown toenails, diabetic foot care complications, children’s foot problems, skin conditions of the feet, and fungal nails. Our group is among the best foot and ankle providers in the country. To schedule an appointment, first find a podiatrist in your area.