Your feet and ankles have many bones that are vulnerable to fractures that can cause long-term problems if untreated. The board-certified podiatrists at South County Foot & Ankle have the expertise and experience to treat foot and ankle fractures. They serve patients in multiple Rhode Island-based locations, including Warwick, Wakefield, Westerly, Providence, Lincoln, and Scituate. If you have an injury to your foot or ankle, call the practice to schedule an appointment, or use the online booking tool today.
Fractures occur when small pieces of your bone shatter and pull away from the bone as a whole. You can fracture your ankle when you roll it too far inward or outward, which can sprain your ankle as well, causing damage to the surrounding tendons and ligaments.
In some cases, a fracture can break as a result of injury. In other cases, your fracture might occur from a consistent overload of pressure on a certain area that stresses the bone and causes it to crack. Stress fractures are very thin and often occur in athletes.
You can also experience fractures if you have deformities in your feet, osteoporosis, abnormal foot structure, or wear inappropriate footwear.
Symptoms of acute and stress fractures can differ.
Issues at your injury site might include:
Acute fractures can also cause the inability to walk comfortably.
If you see bone coming through the skin, you should get medical attention immediately to avoid the risk of infection.
Symptoms from a stress fracture might include:
Whether you suffer from an acute or stress fracture, you should seek medical intervention from the professionals at South County Foot & Ankle to experience healing and a full recovery.
When you have a fracture or a sprain in your foot or ankle, you should follow the RICE procedure immediately, which includes:
If you apply weight to your injured foot, your foot problems could escalate. Stay off your feet or use crutches to relieve any pressure.
Put ice on your affected area for 20 minutes. Then let your foot rest for 40 minutes, and then apply it again. Do this often to reduce pain and swelling.
Wrap your injured foot in an elastic bandage to keep the swelling down. Be careful not to wrap it too tightly to avoid cutting off your circulation.
When you keep your foot above or at your heart, you can help minimize the swelling. When you sit or lie down, put pillows under your foot to keep it elevated.
For medical treatments, your provider might immobilize your foot with a cast or boot to stop your foot from moving. They can also prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as naproxen or ibuprofen, to relieve your pain and help manage your swelling.
In severe cases of fractures, you may need surgery to reconstruct your joint or to fuse it together.
If you have a fracture or a sprain, make an appointment with the professional team of podiatrists at South County Foot & Ankle. Call or use the online booking tool today.
