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calcaneal (heel) fracture from climbing fall 23-Sep-2012 At 10:35:31 AM Doug

Message

Hi Eve
Don't be discouraged. I smashed my right heel in November, 1985. It was very painful and the recovery took a long time. But I went on a pre-planned and pre-booked climbing/hiking/canoeing trip to North America with my wife at the beginning of June 1986.
We climbed at Yosemite - including the East Buttress of Middle Cathedral, in the Rockies, did the Northeast Ridge of Bugaboo Spire, climbed at Squamish, climbed Outer Space at Leavenworth and did snow snow plods in the Enchantments.
The heel was very sore a lot of the time and continued to be so for a few years afterwards. I had a frumpy old Orthopaedic Surgeon tell me that I'd need to have my ankle fused and would be lucky to be walking in ten years.
I probably pushed it too hard early on, but the good news for you is that you have had your heel rebuilt - I didn't (not my choice) and I think that your recovery will be a lot quicker and better (I have had lots of trouble getting shoes to fit and that heel is prone to blistering badly).
On a trip to Yosemite in 1992 I met Scott Cosgrove, a 5.13 climber. He had just broken his heel in a car crash and was wondering how well he'd recover. I said he'd be fine and was pleased when I saw later that he was back cranking hard.
I've kept climbing, and did the Grand Wall at Squamish eight days ago.
My advice: find a good physio, work hard at your rehab and don't listen to the naysayers.
Good luck!
Cheers
Doug