Bruised heel healing time?

Hey all, I got a bruised heel from a ledge fall. I am pretty sure nothing is broken but I haven't seen a doctor. My ankles are fine. The heel didn't hurt at first, but started to 30 minutes later. It has been 2 weeks now and I still feel pain when I stand. The pain hasn't really gotten better... just sort of staying consistent for the last week or so. Is this normal? Should I be concerned or does it take more time for full recovery?

kck wrote:Hey all, I got a bruised heel from a ledge fall. I am pretty sure nothing is broken but I haven't seen a doctor. My ankles are fine. The heel didn't hurt at first, but started to 30 minutes later. It has been 2 weeks now and I still feel pain when I stand. The pain hasn't really gotten better... just sort of staying consistent for the last week or so. Is this normal? Should I be concerned or does it take more time for full recovery?

See a doctor. It can just be a bad bruise or it could be something more serious. Medical advice on the net is worth what you pay for it.

The answer to your question is that periosteal contusions (bone bruise) can take as long as 12 weeks to fully heal. Usually most of the pain is gone in 4 - 6 weeks.

That's assuming that it's only a bone bruise.

It can take forever and a day. Be patient.

I bruised my heel a few months back, took right around 3 weeks to heal. Seems like I woke up one morning and the pain was suddenly gone.

Having recently recovered from a fall related ankle injury I would suggest seeing a doctor; there are a lot of pieces that go into making a human foot work properly. My theorized bone bruise was actually a fractured tibia.

Just my $.02

Seconding 3 weeks.

First week really hard to walk.

Second week was nagging with a slight limp.

Third week it went away.

Friend had a worse bruise that lasted around two months.

My heel hurt for over a year when I fractured a calcaneous, and it was a hairline fracture that didn't require casting, didn't swell much, and I sure didn't think it was broken. I didn't get medical attention until about 2 weeks after the event when it still hurt to walk around (pain was getting worse actually, and I was out of herbal pain medication), x-ray showed a fracture that was basically already closed.

Everyone I know who's landed hard on a heel, whether it fractured or not, has endured significant pain for weeks or months.

I'd agree with the above folks and tell you to see a doctor. I took a 20 footer onto a ledge after I blew a piece in a flared crack and hit my heel.
Couldn't bear weight and the ER doc took x-rays and said it was a bruise. Long story short after two weeks on crutches with no improvement I went to my primary doc and his x-ray order showed two fractures.
6 weeks in cast, two in a walking boot and 4 weeks pt, and a year later almost to the day and I still limp in the morning, have some tightness in my heel ligaments/tendons and it has pretty much taken away the joy of leading for me. I hope it is just a bruise but certainly don't let it just sit.

I think it took me about 6 months to year to heal a bruised heel. (Not from climbing) I didn't stop to let it heal, and I remember that I re-injured it a couple of times.

If it is just annoying pain climb overhangs with no ledges and wear larger shoes. If it really hurts you shouldn't look for advice here

Jumped off a bouldering problem and landed on a very pointy rock, right on the heel. Then of course I had to repeat the same fall. Went to several doctors and they couldn't make up there mind as to the damage. My take on it was I probably damaged the plantar tendon at the heel, and "bruised" the bone. The physical therapist guessed at a 6 month recovery. She was bang on in her time assessment. In that six month period, I walked with a very painful limp. Tried various shoes, inserts and even cushioned socks. Nothing worked. But it did heal up nicely.

kck wrote:Hey all, I got a bruised heel from a ledge fall. I am pretty sure nothing is broken but I haven't seen a doctor. My ankles are fine. The heel didn't hurt at first, but started to 30 minutes later. It has been 2 weeks now and I still feel pain when I stand. The pain hasn't really gotten better... just sort of staying consistent for the last week or so. Is this normal? Should I be concerned or does it take more time for full recovery?

I took a ground fall when a rock pulled loose and it landed on my heel. it took me months to be able to semi-comfortably put on climbing shoes. Best advice I can give is have someone with a good pair of boots on kick you in the shin of the opposite leg. The acute pain can be very offputting, but if you can cause pain in your other leg the overall level of pain is more easily regulated.

• *Comfrey* lots and lots of comfrey.

Hi, I recently jumped off a concrete ledge on to more concrete which was about 1.5 meters high, my heel really hurts which is a bruised heal so should I see a doctor or just leave it. Because I am so sporty and always run ( I have been running on my toes) do I need to see a doctor?

Sarah Red wrote: Hi, I recently jumped off a concrete ledge on to more concrete which was about 1.5 meters high, my heel really hurts which is a bruised heal so should I see a doctor or just leave it. Because I am so sporty and always run ( I have been running on my toes) do I need to see a doctor?

Sarah this forum is not a substitute for professional medical advice. That being said, when I tweak or hurt something, that troubles me but does not impede my daily activities, I generally give it 2 weeks to show improvement before seeing a doctor. 

I was literally just about to write a post like this!  Yesterday I took a lead fall onto a ledge and landed flat footed allowing knees to bend and absorb the shock.  Only then did the heel pain hit me.  There must have been a bulge right under my heel.  That is the only place I feel pain.  I have no pain when it is not weighted.  I can walk with a slight limp pushing more on my toes and the outward side of my foot.  I was not planning on doctor or x-rays, because without severe acute pain, what is a doctor going to do but tell me take it easy and to take NSAIDS?
Can we get an update from the OP???
Thanks!

I hurt my heal about a week ago

Depends on a lot of factors...some examples;

Your age
How badly you hurt your heel
How much you take it easy while recovering
etc etc

Not knowing these answers, my guess is 2-4 months if bruised. If broken, my guess is 4-8 months until fully recovered.

It has been 4 weeks and still not better at all if not worse. I saw the doctor they said I have got a bruised heel and I have pulled two tendons, the doc also said that if it’s not better I should go to the physio.