Foot Fracture
(Broken Foot; Fracture, Foot)
Definition
A foot fracture is a break in any of the bones in the foot.
Phalanx Fracture of the FootCopyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc. |
Causes TOP
This injury is caused by trauma from:
- Falls
- Blows or object falling on the foot
- Collisions
- Severe twists
- Stress on a weakened bone
Risk Factors TOP
Things that may raise your risk are:
- Health problems that result in falls, such as weak muscles
- A sudden increase in activity
- High-impact or repetitive sports, such as gymnastics, basketball, tennis, or running
Symptoms TOP
Symptoms may be:
- Pain
- Swelling and bruising
- Numbness in the toes or foot
- Problems moving or walking
- Changes in the way the foot looks
Diagnosis TOP
The doctor will ask about your symptoms, past health, and injury. An exam will be done, focusing on the foot.
Images of the foot may be taken. This can be done with x-rays.
Treatment TOP
How it is treated depends on whether the injury is mild or severe. Options may be:
Initial Care
Initial care may be:
- Ice to ease pain and swelling
- Medicine to ease pain
- A splint, walking boot, stiff-soled shoe, or cast to keep the bones of the foot in place as it heals
- Crutches to keep weight off of the foot
- Exercises to help with strength and motion
Children's bones have growth plates that let bones grow and harden with age. A child with this type of fracture will need to be checked over time to make sure the bone heals the right way and keeps growing.
Surgery
Surgery may be needed for severe fractures or those that are not healing well.
Prevention TOP
Most fractures are due to accidents. Healthy bones may prevent injury. This may be done through exercise.
RESOURCES:
American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine
http://www.sportsmed.org
Ortho Info—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
http://www.orthoinfo.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Orthopaedic Association
http://www.coa-aco.org
Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation
http://www.canorth.org
REFERENCES:
Foot fractures and dislocations. Patient UK website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed September 24, 2020.
Stress fractures of the foot and ankle. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/stress-fractures-of-the-foot-and-ankle. Accessed September 24, 2020.
Stress fractures of the foot and ankle. Ortho Info—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed September 24, 2020.
Toe and forefoot fractures. Ortho Info—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed September 24, 2020.
Welck MJ, Hayes T, et al. Stress fractures of the foot and ankle. Injury 2017 Aug;48(8):1722-1726.
Last reviewed September 2020 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
Warren A. Bodine, DO, CAQSM
Last Updated: 8/25/2020