Broken Foot / Foot Fracture
This article does not constitute as medical advice.
If you are experiencing symptoms of a fractured foot, contact your doctor or make an appointment.
What is a Fractured Foot?
A break in a bone is a fracture. Simple fractures are single, clean breaks in a bone, while compound fractures are complicated breaks. Fractures caused by accident or injury are called traumatic fractures. Stress fractures are minute cracks in the bone caused by repeated mild trauma to the bone, e.g., repeated, intense action by a high jump athlete or a gymnast that repeatedly stresses the same places in the bones.
Causes of a Fractured Foot
- Accidents: From car collisions to simply losing your footing while walking, accidents are the leading causes of a broken foot.
- Sports injuries: Those who play intensive sports or participate in high-impact activities are more prone to fracturing their feet. Athletes should be sure to warm up and cool down correctly. Taking care to use proper technique and correct gear for the sport can decrease the likelihood of injury.
- Low bone density and Osteoporosis: This condition is most common in women over 50, but anyone can experience Osteoporosis. A random foot fracture can be an early sign of developing low bone density. Those who think they may be at risk for this disease should talk to their doctor about getting a bone densitometry test.
Symptoms of a Fractured Foot
- Pain: This is typically immediate and a throbbing sensation. Broken feet tend to have severe pain that lasts longer than a foot sprain.
- Swelling and tenderness: Foot swelling and bruising is standard with a foot fracture. If patients see a deformity or a protruding bone, they need to contact their doctor immediately.
- Numbness: A tingling or numb foot is often reported with this type of injury. This is due to potentially damaging foot nerves. In this case, patients should seek immediate treatment.
- Inability to use the part of the body: Broken feet lead to extreme discomfort. Patients typically limp or refuse to bear weight on the injury.
- X-Ray: Your doctor will typically diagnose a broken foot with an x-ray, CT scan, or MRI scan.
Treating a Broken/Fractured Foot
- Most fractures need to be assessed and treated by a medical doctor. A splint or a cast is standard to position the bone to heal correctly. Some fractures may also need surgery to insert a screw or a plate to hold the bone together as it heals and joins together.
- The RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) is a typical recommendation before and after medical treatment.
- Recovery may take several weeks to months, depending on the complexity and location of the fracture. Patients may take anti-inflammatory or prescribed pain medication to help with discomfort. Contact our office if you are seeking treatment for a broken or fractured foot.
