Foot and Ankle Fractures

 Fractures can range from small cracks in the bone (hairline fractures) to breaks that have separated the bone into three or more pieces (comminuted fractures).

Your ankles and feet are made up of some the most commonly injured bones and joints in the body, which makes them some of the most prone for breaks – broken toes are especially common.

The ankle is a hinge-type joint that connects the leg to the foot. Three bones fit together snugly here, and are supported by strong ligaments. An ankle fracture is a break of one or more of these bones. These fractures can sometimes be mistaken as sprains, as the symptoms are very similar

 Fractures in your feet can be tricky with the numerous bones, joints, and muscles of varying sizes that need to be considered.

Causes

Ankle and foot fractures are very common as sports injuries , but can happen to anyone .

Most common causes of ankle fractures are:

• Rolling the ankle (in or out)
• Severely twisting the ankle
• Over extension
• Severe impact & direct force on the ankle
• Poor footwear
• Osteoporosis
• Overuse
  
  Most common causes of foot fractures are:

• Impact, such as kicking something hard or dropping weight on the foot
• Falling, when landing directly or awkwardly on your foot or feet
• Overuse
• Poor conditioning
• Poor footwear
• Severe bending of the foot.

What Causes Stress Fractures?

One of the most common fractures, specifically in the feet, are stress fractures , these are small cracks in the bone that have usually developed over time. These fractures are most common in athletes, and individuals who are on their feet a lot, due to overuse and repetitive movements. People are a higher risk if they have  osteopenia or osteoporosis due to the bone density .

If a stress fracture is left untreated the bone may snap or become dislocated, which may require surgical correction.

Symptoms

Ankle & Foot

 Symptoms and identifying characteristics :

• Bruising
• Deformity (bones becoming misaligned and misshapen)
• Swelling
• Pain (often severe)
• Hearing a “snap” or “pop” at the time of the injury
• Trouble walking or bearing weight

Because the foot and ankle are made up of so many small and intricate bones, you may not immediately realise you’ve sustained a fracture. It is  important to get a professional examination if you are having continued discomfort in your foot or ankle.

Care & Treatment

Ankle
When a clinician examines an injured ankle they usually check for several injuries: sprains, injured tendons or ligaments, and fractures. Unless the ankle has a protruding bone, or has become severely misshapen, a podiatrist may need to have an x-ray taken of the ankle to fully diagnose a fracture.

 Ways to care for and treat it:

• Rest
• Keep pressure off of the injury
• Ice the ankle
• Wearing a splint or cast for realignment
• Pain medication
• Elevating the ankle

Depending on intensity of the break, your ankle may require surgical correction as well. Through surgery, an orthopaedic practitioner can help make sure the bone will heal correctly and in alignment, which can prevent future issues and arthritis. Here at Prestige Healthcare we have the ability to refer you on to a surgeon if your condition requires it.

During a typical ankle surgery, the bones are realigned and then stabilized with screws or plates. The patient is then placed in a cast, splint or boot for a variable period of time until the fracture has properly healed.

Foot
The strategy for diagnosing broken bones in the foot can vary greatly depending on the location of the injury.

Foot fractures can call for a variety of treatments including:

• Splints
• Elevation
• Ice the foot
• Rest
• Crutches
• Casting
• Protective & supportive footwear

Improper or Delayed Treatment
If foot and ankle fractures are not properly handled, or treatment is delayed you may experience a wide range of consequences and side effects, including:

• Motion limiting deformity
• Development of arthritis around the fracture
• Non-healing & worsening of the fracture
• Development of chronic pain
• Compound fractures & infection

Early examination and treatment of any foot or ankle fracture is essential to a positive outcome. Our clinicians have extensive training and experience in the non-surgical of these fractures.

For more information about Foot and Ankle or to have an assessment or some treatment contact us by filling out the form below, emailing or calling us.