Did you know that one-tenth of all bone breaks occur in the foot? There are 26 bones in each human foot. When you consider that the entire body contains 206 bones, 52 of them are located in the feet. That’s about 25 percent. It’s no wonder that injuries requiring foot fractures treatment occur commonly.
Foot fractures can be the result of many different activities or accidents. In general, anything that causes the foot to bend, twist, or stretch or that crushes it can cause a fracture or break. Breaks can occur when you kick something, when you twist or sprain your ankle, when you fall and land on your feet, or when something heavy lands on your feet or ankles.
Some people experience stress fractures. These are small cracks in the bones that grow worse over time due to repeated stress. Occupations that require walking or marching put people at risk as well as athletic activities such as dancing, running, playing contact sports, and gymnastics.
If you suspect you have a foot fracture, there are symptoms to watch for that include:
- pain – pain from a broken toe may not prevent you from being able to walk, but more serious breaks may cause enough pain to keep you from being able to support your weight while standing.
- bruises – bruises are consistent with foot injuries, and
- swelling – sprains and fractures can both cause swelling. A doctor will be able to tell if the foot was sprained or if it is actually broken.
Any of the following symptoms require immediate treatment:
- the appearance of the foot is distorted or abnormal,
- the foot isn’t straight or is in the wrong position,
- the foot is numb, cold to the touch, or blue,
- the skin is cut or torn near the area of a possible break or there is evidence of a compound fracture, and
- there is acute pain.
There is no need to continue in discomfort if you think you are suffering from a stress fracture or other bone break. The caring professionals at District Foot & Ankle can perform a complete evaluation, diagnose the problem, and recommend a course of treatment that will have you feeling your best. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.