Fractures Specialist

What causes foot and ankle fractures?

There are many causes of foot and ankle fractures or breaks. You may develop a tiny crack in a bone or suffer a severe break, which can result in your bone piercing the skin.

Common scenarios that result in foot and ankle fractures include:

• Auto accidents
• Trips and falls
• Dropping heavy objects on the feet
• Missteps, including while walking on stairs or uneven surfaces
• Overuse injuries from long periods of walking, running, or standing
• Athletic injuries

If you’re a runner or have a job that requires you to work on your feet, you may be more likely to experience a foot and ankle fracture.

What are the signs and symptoms of a foot and ankle fracture?

In addition to foot and ankle pain, symptoms of fractures include:

• Difficulty bearing weight
• Changes in foot shape
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Tenderness

Though some foot and ankle fractures are major and can be traced to a specific event, it’s also possible to have a fracture and not realize it. Stress fractures are tiny cracks in a bone that result from overuse and develop slowly over time. You may not realize you have one and simply think your foot is sore from having to stand at work.

Schedule an appointment at Premier Foot & Ankle right away if you have any of these symptoms, including unexplained foot and ankle pain.

How does my podiatrist treat foot and ankle fractures?

Your podiatrist’s treatment plan depends on where exactly your fracture is and its severity. 

If you have a stress fracture, you need to avoid putting additional stress on your foot or ankle, which can cause the crack to get worse. This may include using a walking boot or crutches.

If you’re a runner, your podiatrist gives you advice on staying active without risking an overuse injury. You may need to combine running with other forms of low-impact exercise, like swimming and biking. Depending on the severity of the fracture, you may be able to continue exercising while you heal.

Depending on your condition, your podiatrist may also prescribe pain medication or anti-inflammatory drugs to help you manage your symptoms.

If you have a more severe foot or ankle fracture, your podiatrist may fit you for a boot, cast, or splint to immobilize the bone and allow it to heal. In some cases, foot or ankle fractures require surgery to stabilize the bone.

To get treatment for a foot or ankle fracture, call Premier Foot & Ankle or use the online booking tool.