The structure of your foot is complex, consisting of bones, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues. Of the 26 bones in your foot, 19 are toe bones (phalanges) and metatarsal bones (the long bones in the midfoot). Fractures of the toe and metatarsal bones are common and require evaluation by a specialist. Total Podiatry should be seen for proper diagnosis and treatment, even if initial treatment has been received in an emergency room..
Achilles Tendon Injuries
An Achilles tendon injury is disabling and requires podiatric care to alleviate pain and inflammation. At Total Podiatry, we exhaust all conservative treatments to avoid surgery if possible and get you back on your feet quickly and painlessly.
Fractures/broken bones of the foot, toes, or ankle are very common. They may also result from overuse and repetitive stress that comes with participating in sports like running, tennis, pickleball, and golf. Total Podiatry uses digital x-rays and other tools to determine your best course of repair.
Fractures
Fractures/broken bones of the foot, toes, or ankle are very common. They may also result from overuse and repetitive stress that comes with participating in sports like running, tennis, pickleball, and golf. Total Podiatry uses digital x-rays and other tools to determine your best course of repair. Fractures can be divided into two categories: traumatic fractures and stress fractures.
Traumatic fractures (also called acute fractures) are caused by a direct blow or impact—like seriously stubbing your toe. Traumatic fractures can be displaced or nondisplaced. If the fracture is displaced, the bone is broken in such a way that it has changed in position (dislocated). Treatment of a traumatic fracture depends on the location and extent of the break and whether it is displaced. Surgery is sometimes required. Signs and symptoms of a traumatic fracture include:
- You may hear a sound at the time of the break
- “Pinpoint pain” (pain at the place of impact) at the time the fracture occurs and perhaps for a few hours later, but often the pain goes away after several hours
- Deviation (misshapen or abnormal appearance) of the toe
- Bruising and swelling the next day
It is not true that “if you can walk on it, it’s not broken.” Evaluation by Total Podiatry is always recommended. Stress fractures are tiny, hairline breaks that are usually caused by repetitive stress. Stress fractures often afflict athletes who, for example, too rapidly increase their running mileage. Or they may be caused by an abnormal foot structure, deformities, or osteoporosis. Improper footwear may also lead to stress fractures. Stress fractures should not be ignored, because they will come back unless properly treated. Symptoms of stress fractures include:
- Pain with or after normal activity
- Pain that goes away when resting and then returns when standing or during activity
- “Pinpoint pain” (pain at the site of the fracture) when touched
- Swelling, but no bruising Sprains and fractures have similar symptoms, although sometimes with a sprain, the whole area hurts rather than just one point
Total Podiatry will be able to diagnose which you have and provide appropriate treatment. Certain sprains or dislocations can be severely disabling. Without proper treatment, they can lead to crippling arthritis.
Consequences of Improper Treatment
Some people say that “the doctor can’t do anything for a broken bone in the foot.” This is usually not true. In fact, if a fractured toe or metatarsal bone is not treated correctly, serious complications may develop. For example:
- A deformity in the bony architecture which may limit the ability to move the foot or cause difficulty in fitting shoes
- Arthritis, which may be caused by a fracture in a joint (the juncture where two bones meet), or may be a result of angular deformities that develop when a displaced fracture is severe or hasn’t been properly corrected
- Chronic pain and long-term dysfunction
- Non-union, or failure to heal, can lead to subsequent surgery or chronic pain. Treatment of Toe Fractures of the toe bones are almost always traumatic fractures
What we recommend:
- Rest. Sometimes rest is the only treatment needed to promote healing of a stress or traumatic fracture of a metatarsal bone
- Avoid the offending activity. Because stress fractures result from repetitive stress, it is important to avoid the activity that led to the fracture. Crutches or a wheelchair are sometimes required to offload weight from the foot to give it time to heal.
- Immobilization, casting, or rigid shoe. A stiff-soled shoe or another form of immobilization may be used to protect the fractured bone while it is healing.
- Surgery. Some traumatic fractures of the metatarsal bones require surgery, especially if the break is badly displaced.
- Follow-up care. Total Podiatry will provide instructions for care following surgical or non-surgical treatment. Physical therapy, exercises, and rehabilitation may be ordered.