Medically Reviewed by Dr. Rachel N. Verville
March 10, 2016
Believe it or not, some people don’t realize they have foot fractures. These stress fractures start as imperceptible cracks in your bone that may only cause minor pain. As time goes, the area may grow causing pain to worsen when you bear weight. An acute fracture immediately causes pain and results from serious trauma to your foot. This can come in the form of weight dropping on your foot, missteps, or a sports injury. Both types of fracture require treatment from a podiatrist and recovery time to heal completely.
Symptoms of Fractures
Stress fractures appear after repetitive use and are most common in runners or Plano patients involved in sports that require lots of running. A stress fracture will cause:
- Pain that comes and goes based on your activity level.
- Swelling and tenderness.
- Bruising in some cases.
Stress fractures can eventually result in limited range of motion and cause problems walking.
Acute Fracture
An acute fracture usually affects the metatarsals, bones connecting your toes and ankles, and is the result of a sudden blow or twist in your foot. Unlike a stress fracture, you will:
- Hear the bone break.
- Have immediate pain.
- Develop bruising or swelling.
- Not be able to bear any weight on the foot.
Both acute and stress fractures are problems that require a podiatrist. If you do not seek proper diagnosis and treatment, then there is a strong possibility that the bone will not heal properly.
Treatment for Foot Fractures
When you visit a podiatrist, they will advise rest, ice, compression, and elevating your injury to improve healing. Depending on the severity of the fracture, your podiatrist may also:
- Refer you to a physical therapist.
- Immobilize your foot with a cast to reduce weight load.
- Suggest surgery for very serious cases.
A visit to your podiatrist will ensure that you do not aggravate the fracture and that you know when to restart any high-impact activity like sports or standing for long periods of time.
For treatment of your foot fracture, call our Plano office at 214-385-8822 and schedule your appointment today.
