Broken Foot

A broken foot happens when one or more of the bones in your foot are fractured. This can occur in several ways. For example, a fall, a blow to the foot, or even something heavy landing on it can cause a break. Similarly, a sports injury, car accident, or simply a misstep can also lead to a fractured foot.

A broken foot, sometimes called a foot fracture, can involve a small crack in the bone, a complete break in one bone, or a break that goes all the way through the skin. The severity of the break varies greatly.

The treatment for a broken foot depends on the location and severity of the fracture. A serious break might require surgery. During surgery, a doctor might use plates, screws, or rods to hold the broken pieces of bone together while they heal. This helps ensure the bones mend correctly.

A broken foot bone can cause several noticeable symptoms. One of the most common is immediate, sharp pain. This pain often intensifies when you move your foot and lessens when you rest it. You might also notice swelling, discoloration (bruising), and tenderness around the affected area. Sometimes, the foot may appear misshapen. Walking or putting weight on the foot can be painful or difficult. In a severe case, the bone might even break through the skin (an open fracture).

If you suspect a broken foot, it's crucial to see a doctor. This is especially important if your foot looks noticeably different, if the pain and swelling don't improve with home care, or if the pain and swelling get progressively worse. While some broken feet allow you to walk, don't rely on that ability to determine if you need medical attention. Even if you can put weight on the foot, a broken bone needs professional diagnosis and treatment. A doctor can properly assess the injury and recommend the best course of action.

If your foot looks deformed or if home remedies aren't relieving the pain and swelling, see a doctor. Even if you can walk on a fractured foot, it's still important to get medical attention. Pain and swelling that worsen over time also need professional evaluation. Don't hesitate to seek help if you're experiencing these issues. A doctor can properly diagnose the problem and recommend the best course of treatment.

Foot fractures happen for several reasons.

• Car crashes: A car accident can severely damage the foot, sometimes requiring surgery to repair broken bones. This often involves significant force to the foot.

• Falls: Tripping and falling, or landing awkwardly after a jump, are common causes of broken foot bones. The force of the impact can crack or break a bone.

• Heavy objects: If something heavy falls on your foot, it can cause a fracture. The sudden, concentrated force can lead to a break.

• Stumbles and missteps: A sudden twist or stumble can result in a broken bone in the foot, especially a broken toe from stubbing it. The twisting motion can put stress on the bones and cause a break.

• Overuse: "Stress fractures" are tiny cracks in the bones of the foot. These are often caused by repeated stress or overuse, such as running long distances. The repeated impact over time can weaken the bone, leading to a stress fracture. However, this can also happen from regular use if the bone is already weakened due to a condition like osteoporosis.

Broken Feet and Ankles: Things That Can Increase Your Risk

A broken foot or ankle can happen to anyone, but certain factors make you more likely to get one. Here are some things that can increase your risk:

• High-impact activities: Sports like basketball, football, gymnastics, tennis, and soccer put a lot of force on your feet. These forces, along with sudden twists or direct hits, can cause fractures. For example, a hard landing after a jump or a collision during a game could lead to a broken bone.

• Poor form or equipment: How you do an activity (technique) and the tools you use (equipment) matter a lot. If your training isn't right, like skipping warm-ups, you're more likely to hurt yourself. Shoes that are worn out or don't fit properly can also increase the risk of stress fractures (tiny cracks in the bones) or falls. Proper shoes and good training techniques are essential.

• Sudden changes in activity: Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just starting out, increasing how much, how intensely, or how often you exercise too quickly can increase your risk of stress fractures. Your bones need time to adjust to the new demands. Gradually increasing your activity is a safer approach.

• Certain jobs: Some jobs, like construction work, expose people to risks of falling or dropping heavy objects on their feet. Falls from heights or impacts from heavy things can easily result in foot injuries.

• Home hazards: A cluttered or poorly lit home can increase your risk of tripping and falling, which can lead to broken feet or ankles. Keeping your home safe and organized can help prevent these injuries.

• Underlying health conditions: Conditions like osteoporosis, a condition where bones lose density, can make your feet more vulnerable to breaks. Osteoporosis weakens your bones, making them more likely to fracture.

• Smoking: Smoking can worsen osteoporosis and make it harder for your body to heal from a break. This means that injuries may take longer to recover from if you smoke.

It's important to take steps to protect your feet, whether through proper training, safe equipment, or a safe environment. If you have any concerns about your risk of foot or ankle injuries, talk to a doctor or physical therapist.

Broken foot bones usually heal well, but sometimes problems can arise later. These aren't common, but if they do happen, it's important to see a doctor.

Here are some possible complications:

• Joint pain later on (arthritis): If a broken bone goes into a joint, it can sometimes lead to arthritis, a condition that causes joint pain and stiffness, years down the road. If your foot hurts a long time after you broke it, see a doctor. This is especially important if the pain is getting worse or if you notice any stiffness.

• Bone infection (osteomyelitis): If the broken bone is open (meaning the bone comes through the skin), bacteria can get in and cause an infection. This is more likely with an open fracture. Signs of infection include redness, swelling, warmth, pain, and possibly a fever. See a doctor right away if you notice any of these signs.

• Nerve or blood vessel problems: The injury to your foot can sometimes hurt the nerves or blood vessels. This can cause numbness, tingling, or a feeling that your foot is cold or numb. It can also mean your foot isn't getting enough blood. If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. Lack of blood flow can lead to a condition where the bone dies (avascular necrosis). This is a serious problem.

• Compartment syndrome: This is a less common problem after a broken foot. It happens when pressure builds up inside a space in the foot. This can cause pain, swelling, numbness, and difficulty using the muscles in your foot. If you notice any of these symptoms, it's important to seek medical attention right away.

Important Note: This information is for general knowledge only and should not be considered medical advice. If you have a broken foot, always follow your doctor's instructions for care and treatment.

Following these tips can help you avoid breaking a foot bone:

Footwear:

• Choose the right shoes: Wear sturdy hiking boots or appropriate athletic shoes for the activity. Make sure the shoes fit well and provide good support. Don't just wear the same pair for everything. If you're playing tennis, you probably don't want to wear the same shoes you use for running.
• Replace your shoes regularly: Check the tread (the gripping part of the sole) and the heel of your shoes. If they're worn out, it's time to replace them. For runners, a general guideline is to replace your shoes every 300 to 400 miles. If the wear on your shoes isn't evenly distributed, it's a sign that they're no longer providing adequate support and should be replaced.

Exercise and Fitness:

• Start slow and gradually increase intensity: If you're new to a fitness routine, or even if you're just starting a new workout, begin slowly and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your exercises. This prevents injuries.
• Maintain a balanced fitness routine: A balanced routine involves different types of exercise. This includes activities that get your heart pumping (aerobic exercise like running or swimming), strength training (lifting weights or doing bodyweight exercises), and exercises that improve your flexibility (stretching or yoga). These different types of workouts work different parts of your body and help prevent imbalances that can lead to injuries.
• Strengthen your bones: Eating a healthy diet rich in calcium is important for strong bones. Good sources of calcium include dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese), leafy green vegetables, and tofu. Vitamin D also helps your body absorb calcium. Talk to your doctor about whether you need a vitamin D supplement.

Safety:

• Use caution in the dark: Many foot injuries happen when people walk or move around in poorly lit areas. Use night lights, and be extra careful when walking in the dark.
• Clear your surroundings: Remove clutter from walkways and floors in your home. This will help prevent tripping and falling, which can lead to foot injuries.

Your doctor will examine your ankle, foot, and lower leg to see if any areas are painful. They'll also check how far you can move your foot. Sometimes, they might ask you to walk to assess how you move.

To figure out if you have a broken foot, your doctor might order some tests. These tests help them see what's going on inside your foot.

• X-rays: X-rays are a common way to see if there's a break in a bone. Many broken foot bones show up clearly on X-rays. However, sometimes, a tiny crack, called a stress fracture, might not be seen on X-rays until it starts to heal.

• Bone scan: If an X-ray doesn't show a break, your doctor might order a bone scan. A special dye containing a small amount of radioactive material is injected into your vein. This dye helps highlight any damaged bones, including stress fractures, making them show up as bright spots on the image.

• CT scan: A CT scan uses X-rays to create detailed pictures of your bones from different angles. Unlike a simple X-ray, a CT scan can show more details about the broken bone and the tissues around it. This can help your doctor better understand the extent of the injury.

• MRI scan: An MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of soft tissues, like muscles and ligaments. Sometimes, a break might not be visible on an X-ray, but an MRI can show it. This is particularly helpful for seeing problems with soft tissues around the broken bone.