Severe calcaneus fractures often result in loss of Bohler's angle
Calcaneus fracture often result from falling from height but may be due to more trivial injury
Falling from height can lead to severe calcaneal fractures, which may be accompanied by axial loading fractures of the spine.
Calcaneal fractures due to a fall from height are often comminuted and intra-articular. The extent of injury is easily underestimated by X-ray appearances.
Low impact trauma or twisting injuries of the calcaneus can result in subtle X-ray changes.
Standard views
Lateral and axial.
Bohler's angle
Severe injury may result in flattening of the calcaneus. This results in a reduction of 'Bohler's angle'.
On a lateral view this angle is formed by the intersection of two lines. The first line is drawn from (1) - the upper edge of the calcaneal body posteriorly to (2) - the upper edge of the posterior articular facet of the calcaneus at the subtalar joint. From this point another line is drawn to (3) - the upper edge of the anterior process of the calcaneus.
