Fractures

A fracture is a broken bone. Bones can break in numerous ways, from a hairline stress fracture that’s barely visible on an X-ray to a shattered bone that breaks into multiple pieces. Broken bones that poke through your skin (open fractures) are considered a medical emergency that requires immediate care.

Feet are highly complex and strong structures, each of which contains 26 bones. A foot or ankle fracture may involve any one of these bones, including:

• Talus, or ankle bone
• Calcaneus, or heel bone
• Tibia and fibula, the two long bones of the lower leg
• Metatarsals, or the long bones of your forefoot

A stress fracture at the base of the fifth metatarsal, which is on the outer edge of your foot, is called a Jones’ fracture. This injury is very common in runners and people who have a high arch.

Severe fractures in the midfoot may cause the ligaments that hold your bones together to tear. This can lead to a foot dislocation.

Fracture symptoms vary depending on the type, location, and severity of the injury. Fractures that result from acute trauma, like a bad fall, typically cause sudden, intense pain. Stress fractures usually develop gradually, so they may cause pain that’s mild at first and worsens with activity.

Common symptoms of a foot or ankle fracture include:

• Foot or ankle pain
• Visible deformity
• Swelling and bruising
• Difficulty walking on the injured foot

Because the symptoms of a fracture may resemble those of a severe ankle sprain, accurate diagnosis at Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Center is imperative.

First, your provider at Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Center reviews your symptoms and asks how the injury occurred. They carefully examine your foot, ankle, and lower leg and take an X-ray to look for broken bones.

Then, they develop an individualized treatment plan for your specific type of fracture. Depending on your needs, treatment may include:

• Wearing a brace, splint, or cast
• Resting the foot
• Anti-inflammatory medications

Severe fractures may require surgery to reset the broken bones and repair any damaged soft tissue, like ligaments. The surgeons at Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Center perform minimally invasive surgery whenever possible.

If you think you may have a foot fracture, call Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Center or request an appointment online today.