WHAT IS A FRACTURE?
Fractures occur when your bone breaks or cracks. The types of fractures include:
Displaced: A bone is broken and moves out of alignment.
Non-displaced: A bone is broken but remains in place.
Stress: A crack due to repetitive activity.
Pathological: Breaks due to weakening or thinning bones, not injuries.
Open: A broken bone breaks through the skin.
The most common indication you have sustained a fracture is pain. You might also experience swelling, bruising or discoloration, and pain when walking or putting weight on the injury. It’s possible to have a foot or ankle fracture and still be able to walk, but this can make your injury worse.
When a bone in your foot is broken or cracked, medical treatment is necessary to help you heal correctly and reduce the possibility of re-injury or arthritis.
WHAT CAUSES A FOOT FRACTURE?
Forefoot fractures
Fractures to your forefoot and toes are usually because of trauma, like dropping something on your foot or stubbing your toe. Your toe may become discolored and swollen and might look deformed.
Midfoot fractures
Your midfoot consists of metatarsal bones that connect your toes to your rearfoot. Each of your metatarsal bones has four parts, and any of them can sustain a fracture. Midfoot fractures usually occur from twisting, repetitive stress, or direct trauma.
Rearfoot fractures
There are two bones in the rearfoot: the talus and calcaneus, or heel bone. Trauma and overuse are common causes of fractures to this part of the foot.
HOW IS A FRACTURE TREATED?
Treatment of a fracture in your foot or ankle depends on the area injured and type of fracture.
Dr. Galoyan offers same-day digital X-rays to diagnose your foot pain quickly. Depending on your fracture, he might recommend a variety of treatments, such as:
Reducing activity and resting the injury
Icing the injury to reduce swelling
Immobilizing the injury with rigid shoes, boots, or dressings
Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medication
Surgery to repair broken or misaligned bones
Call Metropolitan Podiatry for more information, or schedule an appointment online when you think you’re suffering from a fracture.