Your feet support all of your physical activity, from walking to sports, so it’s probably not surprising to learn that foot and ankle fractures are extremely common. Fractures can occur in any of the 26 bones in each of your feet, and it’s important to recognize bone fractures and get treatment fast when they occur. At Forest Hills Family Foot Care, podiatric care expert David Mehl, DPM, offers skilled fracture care, from nonsurgical support to surgical repairs. Call the Forest Hills office in Queens, New York, or click the online booking tool now.
Foot and ankle fractures are any broken bones within your lower extremities. This includes the bones of your ankle joint, your calcaneus (heel bone), the tarsal bones in the midfoot, the long metatarsal bones in the forefoot, and the small phalanges in your toes.
A fracture can be a mere crack (stress fracture), a complete break in which the bone remains lined up (a nondisplaced fracture), or a break in which part of the bone moves out of position (a displaced fracture).
In severe cases, you may have an open fracture, which means the bone actually breaks your skin.
Foot and ankle fractures can happen in a variety of ways, with the most common being:
Many individual factors may increase your risk for foot and ankle fractures, such as improper exercise technique, working in a dangerous environment, and having poor bone density (osteoporosis).
Foot and ankle fractures can quickly affect your ability to function, with common symptoms including:
These symptoms can also occur with sprains, strains, and other types of injury to the feet, so the best course of action is to book an appointment at Forest Hills Family Foot Care right away.
At Forest Hills Family Foot Care, Dr. Mehl uses a tailored approach to care for your fracture. He starts with a physical evaluation and X-rays in the office to determine the exact area of fracture and degree of damage.
Fracture care usually includes rest, an immobilization device like a cast or walking boot, a mobility device like crutches or a walker, and anti-inflammatory or pain medication. You may wear custom orthotics to position your foot properly as you heal.
Many fractures heal naturally, but in some cases, Dr. Mehl may need to perform surgery to repair damage and realign your bones. In-office physical therapy is an important part of your recovery because it improves strength and flexibility to reduce your risk of another injury.
Forest Hills Family Foot Care is proud to provide the best in care for all types of foot and ankle fractures. If you have fracture symptoms, call the office or click the appointment request tool for fast help.
