Foot Fracture

What Is a Foot Fracture?

Our feet contain 26 bones, including five long metatarsal bones that connect the ankle area to the toes. A foot fracture is a crack or break in one of the bones in the foot. Fractures can range from small stress injuries, or small cracks in the bone, to complete breaks. Metatarsal fractures are among the more common foot fractures.

The type and severity of a fracture dictates the accompanying symptoms and appropriate treatment modality. A minor fracture is often accompanied by fewer, less painful symptoms. Accordingly, a minor fracture can sometimes heal on its own. Meanwhile, a major fracture often looks and feels worse, and may also require surgery.

Signs of a Broken Foot

Foot fracture symptoms aren’t always obvious, particularly if you have a small fracture. However, more apparent signs of a foot fracture include:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Tenderness
• Sharp, dull, or throbbing pain
• Pain when putting weight on the foot
• Difficulty walking
• Pain that increases with activity
• A visible change in the shape of the foot after a severe injury, like a bump, lump, or deformity

However, not every broken foot causes dramatic symptoms. In fact, some people can still walk with certain fractures. Basically, your foot’s ability to bear weight does not rule out a broken bone.

The takeaway here is to have your foot examined by a doctor, period. In the meantime, keep weight off of your foot and REST. While you rest, keep your foot propped up on some pillows. Foot fractures respond well to rest and elevation.

And as always – if it’s an emergency (such as an obvious break, severe pain, etc) seek immediate medical attention.

Causes of Foot Fractures / Broken Bones in Feet

The most common cause of a fractured foot is a direct impact that happens during an accident, fall, or injury. This is referred to as an acute fracture. An acute fracture can happen from something as mundane as stubbing your toe or dropping a heavy object on your foot. Additionally, bones can break in more complicated scenarios such as car accidents.

Conversely, there may not be a single event that you can point to as the cause of a fractured foot. Stress fractures are injuries that develops over time, often from overuse. For example, long-distance runners are particularly vulnerable to stress fractures.

While foot fractures can affect anybody, you’re more likely to have one if you:

• Have osteoporosis
• Are female
• Have weight struggles
• Have flat feet or high arches
• Increase physical activity too quickly
• Play tennis, basketball, track, or dance
• Lack vitamin D or calcium in your diet

Previous stress fractures, especially those left untreated, also increase your risk of future bone breaks and other medical issues.

Acute Foot Fractures

An acute fracture happens suddenly.

Common causes include:

• Falls
• Sports injuries
• Twisting the foot
• Dropping something heavy on the foot
• Direct impact
• Accidents

For example, a severe twist can fracture a metatarsal even if the injury initially feels like a sprain.

Because fractures and sprains can cause similar pain and swelling, an examination and imaging may be necessary to tell them apart.

Stress Fractures of the Foot

A stress fracture develops from repetitive force rather than one major injury.

Runners, dancers and athletes who repeatedly load their feet can develop stress fractures. Additionally, increasing activity too quickly can raise the risk.

Pain often begins during activity and improves with rest. However, as the fracture progresses, the pain may become more constant and localized.

If you develop persistent pain in one specific area of your foot after increasing your exercise or training, do not simply keep pushing through it.

Fifth Metatarsal & Jones Fractures

The fifth metatarsal runs along the outside of the foot toward the little toe.

A fracture in this bone can occur after an injury or twist.

One particular type, called a Jones fracture, occurs near the base of the fifth metatarsal. Because this area has relatively limited blood supply, healing can sometimes be more difficult.

Therefore, identifying the exact location of a fifth-metatarsal fracture matters when planning treatment.

How Is a Foot Fracture Diagnosed?

If you are examined by Dr. Nelson or Dr. Nguyen, they will first ask how the injury occurred and where you feel pain. They will review your medical history and perform a physical exam of your foot.

Some, but not all, things that a podiatrist pays close attention to while examining your foot for a fracture:

• Swelling
• Bruising
• Tenderness
• Foot alignment
• Range of motion
• Ability to bear weight
• The specific area of pain

From there, a podiatrist will typically do imaging tests, such as X-rays, to determine the location and severity of the fracture. At Foot & Ankle Medical Clinic, we perform X-Rays in-house, so there is no need to go off site for this process.

X-rays can identify many fractures. *However, some fractures may not appear on an X-ray immediately. In those cases, additional imaging such as an MRI may be appropriate. If Dr. Nelson or Dr. Nguyen need additional information, a bone scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test could be required.

Call (972) 414-9800 or request an appointment today.

How Are Foot Fractures Treated?

Treatment depends on *the bone involved, the location of the fracture and whether the broken pieces remain properly aligned.

Depending on the injury, the team at Foot & Ankle Medical Clinic may recommend one or more of the following treatments:

• *Rest, Ice, Compression, & Elevation (“R.I.C.E.“)
• Activity restriction
• Temporary limits on weight bearing
• A protective shoe
• Walking boot
• Custom-made orthotic shoe inserts
• Splint, cast, bandaging, bracing, etc
• Crutches or other assistance
• Follow-up X-rays
• Surgery for certain fractures

Fortunately, many foot fractures can heal without surgery. However, some displaced, unstable or difficult-to-heal fractures may require surgical treatment.

Learn more about our Foot & Ankle Surgery services if surgery becomes part of your treatment plan.

To ask any questions about foot fractures or anything else, call (972) 414-9800 to reach us at Foot & Ankle Medical Clinic.

When Should You See a Podiatrist?

Consider a foot fracture evaluation if:

• Walking causes significant pain
• Swelling or bruising develops after an injury
• Pain remains focused over one bone
• You cannot comfortably put weight on the foot
• Pain keeps getting worse
• Sports or exercise repeatedly triggers pain in the same area
• You heard or felt a crack during an injury
• The foot looks unusually shaped after an accident

Additionally, severe injuries, open wounds, major deformity or changes in circulation or sensation require prompt medical attention.

Foot Fracture Treatment for Athletes

Athletes commonly experience both acute fractures and stress fractures. However, pain relief alone does not always mean the bone has finished healing. Therefore, returning to running or sports too early can delay recovery or cause another injury.

Your podiatrist can help determine when it is safe to gradually return to activity.

For additional information about athletic injuries, visit our Sports Medicine page.

Foot Fracture Treatment in Garland, TX

Patients looking for foot fracture treatment in Garland, Texas can schedule an appointment with Scott Nelson, DPM at Foot & Ankle Medical Clinic.

Dr. Nelson treats broken feet, stress fractures and other foot and ankle injuries using conservative or surgical treatment when appropriate.

Foot & Ankle Medical Clinic of Garland
3930 Naaman School Road, Suite C
Garland, TX 75040
(972) 414-9800

Visit our Garland Office page for directions and additional information.

Foot Fracture Treatment in Wylie, TX

Patients needing foot fracture treatment in Wylie, Texas can see Hang Nguyen, DPM at Foot & Ankle Medical Clinic.

Dr. Nguyen evaluates acute fractures, stress fractures and other foot and ankle injuries and develops treatment based on the type and severity of the injury.

Foot & Ankle Medical Clinic of Wylie
2300 FM 544, Suite 230
Wylie, TX 75098
(972) 414-9800

Visit our Wylie Office page for directions and additional information.

Frequently Asked Questions About Foot Fractures

Can you walk on a broken foot?

Sometimes. Certain fractures still allow limited walking. Therefore, the ability to walk does not reliably rule out a fracture.

How can I tell if my foot is broken or sprained?

Both can cause pain, swelling and difficulty walking. An examination and X-ray or other imaging may be necessary to know for sure.

What does a foot stress fracture feel like?

Stress-fracture pain often starts during activity and improves with rest. However, the pain may become more persistent as the injury progresses.

Do all foot fractures need a cast?

No. Treatment depends on the fracture. Some patients may use a protective shoe or walking boot, while other injuries require a cast or different treatment.

Do all broken feet require surgery?

No. Many foot fractures heal without surgery. However, some unstable, displaced or difficult-to-heal fractures may require surgical correction.

Schedule a Foot Fracture Evaluation

If your foot hurts after an injury or you have persistent pain during walking or exercise, do not guess whether it is broken.

Instead, have it evaluated.

Scott Nelson, DPM provides foot fracture treatment in Garland, while Hang Nguyen, DPM treats foot and ankle injuries at our Wylie office.

Call (972) 414-9800 or request an appointment today.

CITATIONS:

• * Medlineplus.gov: “An x-ray may not show there is a stress fracture for up to 6 weeks after the fracture occurs. Your health care provider may order a bone scan or MRI to help diagnose it.” – MedlinePlus.gov

• ∗ Herterich V, Baumbach SF, Kaiser A, Böcker W, Polzer H. “Fifth Metatarsal Fracture – A Systematic Review of the Treatment of Fractures of the Base of the Fifth Metatarsal Bone.” Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2021 Sep 6  (It iIlluminates reasons why fracture type/location determines whether immobilization, functional treatment or surgery is appropriate.)
• * APMA.org: Spraings, Strains and Fractures > Home Care Info  – American Podiatric Medical Association