How Do You Know if You've Fractured a Foot Bone?

Did you know that nearly one-fourth of all the bones in your body are in your feet? That in turn means a greater potential for bone fractures. There are two main types of foot fractures:

Stress Fractures—This type of fracture is like a hairline crack in the bone that doesn’t go all the way through. Stress fractures most often occur in the bones of the forefoot between the middle of the foot and the toes. They are of the result of sudden increases in exercise, repetitive stress on the foot caused by improper training techniques, a change in the surface, or improperly fitted shoes.

Bone Fractures—These are the fractures that go all the way through the bone. Bone fractures usually happen suddenly as a result of a trauma or injury, such as twisting your foot severely during a game or dropping a heavy object on your foot. In some cases, the break may cause the bone to shift out of alignment with other bones. Fractures that do not break through the skin are called closed fractures; ones that do break through the skin are called open fractures. Within the bone fracture category there are other sub-categories of fractures due to the large number of bones and the variety of possible fractures, including fractures of the fifth metatarsal, Jones fractures, and fractures that occur during an ankle twisting injury where the tendon tears and takes a piece of bone away with it.

How Do You Know if You’ve Fractured a Foot Bone?

At Southern Maryland Foot & Ankle we see many fractures each year. Regardless of the type of fracture you sustain, symptoms are similar and may include:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Sometimes bruising

If you suspect you may have fractured a bone in your foot, you should seek medical help immediately. Our podiatrists, Dr. Larry Hotchkiss, Dr. Jashan Valjee, and Dr. Gregory Cardinal will conduct a complete examination of your foot and ankle. The foot doctor will want to know how the injury occurred and will most likely order digital x-rays (which can be done in either our Waldorf or Clinton office) to fully assess the damage to your bone.

Until you can see a doctor, rest, ice, compression, and elevation will help reduce pain. Only a qualified foot and ankle surgeon will be able to determine the right treatment for you, which may include realigning the bone, if necessary, and possibly immobilization to allow the bone to heal. Contact one of our offices to make an appointment or use our online appointment request.