Foot & ankle fractures
Foot and ankle fractures are very common and occur when an area of the bone is stressed to the point of splitting or shattering. A fractured ankle can range from a simple break in one bone, which may not prevent you from walking, to several fractures that force your ankle out of place and require that you avoid putting weight on it for a few month. A fracture in the toe or foot can be painful and impact how your foot functions.
Causes
Toe and forefoot fractures often result from trauma or direct injury to the bone, such as accidentally kicking something hard or dropping a heavy object on your toes. They can also result from the overuse and repetitive stress that comes with participating in high-impact sports like running and basketball. A fractured ankle can be the result of twisting or rotating your ankle, rolling your ankle, or tripping or falling.
Stress fractures may also develop after repetitive activity, rather than a single injury. These are small cracks in a bone or severe bruising within a bone. These usually occur when people change their activities – such a new exercise, suddenly increasing the intensity of their workouts or change their workout surface.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of a fracture in the foot and ankle are pain and swelling. Additional symptoms for each area include:
Toe and Foot:
- Bruising or discoloration that extends to nearby parts of the foot
- Pain with walking and weight bearing
Ankle:
- Immediate and severe pain
- Swelling and bruising
- Tender to touch
- Inability to place weight on the injured foot
- Ankle appearing deformed or out of place
Treatments
OKC Orthopedics Sports Medicine is committed to helping patients with fractures in the foot and ankle return to the highest level of activity possible. Our team of orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists and athletic trainers work together to tailor a treatment plan to each patient’s needs and goals.
Non-surgical and surgical treatment options are available and depend on the type and location of the fracture. While fracturing a bone in your toe or forefoot can be quite painful, it rarely required surgery. On the other hand, severe ankle fractures may require surgery. Our orthopedic surgeons are experts in foot and ankle arthroscopy, a minimally invasive procedure in which small instruments and a thin, flexible medical device with a camera pass through an incision the size of a small Band-Aid. After surgery, our physical therapists guide each patient through a personalized rehabilitation program to restore strength and mobility.
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