Did you know that each of your feet contains 26 bones? That means that foot bone fractures are always a possibility. Often, broken feet occur due to falls and accidents, or as a sports injury.
Repetitive stress or acute trauma can cause bones to split or break apart, causing pain and inability to bear weight on the affected foot. When that happens, you need the right foot and ankle care for a full recovery.
At Town Center Foot & Ankle, located in Kingwood, Texas, experienced podiatrist Dr. Stephen G. Eichelsdorfer, aka “Dr. Ike,” provides comprehensive care for foot fractures.
You may ultimately need surgical treatment, or your broken foot may be able to heal without requiring surgery. Either way, with the right care team behind you, you know your feet have the best chance of healing pain-free, with maximal future function.
When you fracture a bone in a foot or toe, you’re likely to feel pain and tenderness, and could have a hard time standing or walking. You may also notice bruising or swelling in the affected area.
Not all foot fractures show all of these symptoms, so visiting a medical professional is your best call.
Dr. Ike carefully examines your foot. He asks you questions about your activities and symptoms. He may also ask for multiple X-rays to confirm a foot fracture.
You could have a displaced fracture, with the broken bone becoming misaligned, especially if you have a comminuted fracture, meaning the bone broke into multiple pieces. Nondisplaced fractures may only crack the bone, or the bone may be in two pieces that remained correctly aligned. Fractures that break your skin are medically known as open fractures.
It’s not a good idea to try to ride out a broken foot on your own. Complications, including permanent bone deformity, can occur if foot fractures don’t heal properly. This can compromise your mobility and damage your independence.
Your treatment plan depends on the type of fracture, as well as the area of your foot where the broken bone is located. Dr. Ike evaluates your injured foot and recommends the best approach.
Most foot fractures don’t need surgery. Often, nonsurgical fracture reduction can realign your bones sufficiently to allow healing.
But severe breaks or badly misaligned bones may require surgery. Internal fixation foot surgery involves placing surgical screws, metal rods, pins, or plates that hold your bones in the right place until healing is complete.
Your future activity plans also make a difference when it comes to the question of foot surgery. If you’re an athlete, surgery could be a better option for you, as it allows for a more comprehensive and complete recovery.
If you don’t need surgery for your broken foot, Dr. Ike recommends conservative treatment options. You can use compression, icing, and elevation to manage swelling, and wearing a boot or cast takes pressure off your injured foot while it heals.
Toe fractures benefit from stabilization through buddy taping. Anti-inflammatory and over-the-counter pain relief medications support you during your recovery, which typically lasts for 6-8 weeks or so.
If you suspect a foot fracture, reach out to us at Town Center Foot & Ankle right away for evaluation and treatment. Call now, or request an appointment online.
