Facts About Foot Fractures

Did you know that nearly a quarter of all the bones in your body are in your feet? For us, at Pasco-Hernando Foot & Ankle that means a high potential for fractures in our Nature County patients. Below are some facts about fractures in your feet.

FACT: There are 26 bones in each of your feet. Most of these bones are small and all are susceptible to fractures.

FACT: The most common sources of acute fractures are blunt force trauma (such as dropping a heavy object on your foot), motor vehicle accidents, falls, and high-impact activities like running or jumping.

FACT: Stress fractures are different from acute fractures. These hairline cracks in bones result from repetitive stress and overuse. Although many times stress fractures are caused by high impact sports or exercise activities, other factors such as weak bones, vitamin D deficiency, unsupportive footwear, and biomechanical problems like flat feet or overly high arches can also be the source.

FACT: The most often fractured bones are toe bones. The metatarsals (the long bones that run from your toes to your ankle) and heel bones are also frequently broken. In addition to foot bones breaking directly, an avulsion fracture where a small piece of bone pulls off the main bone by a tendon or a ligament may occur.

FACT: In addition to pain, some signs a bone is fractured include swelling, bruising or other discoloration of the skin, difficulty bearing weight on the foot, restricted range of motion, poor balance.

FACT: Just because you can walk on your foot doesn’t mean it’s not broken! This is a myth, and many patients make this mistake. You can do more harm and even sustain a second injury if you bear weight on a fractured foot.

FACT: The treatment for a fracture will be dependent on the type of fracture and the severity of the break. A protective boot or casting may be used to keep the foot immobile. In some cases, surgery is necessary to repair or realign the bone. Most of the time the podiatrist will prescribe physical therapy to complete your rehabilitation.

FACT: All fractures, big or small, should be evaluated by our podiatrist, Dr. Lawrence J. Kales. If you suspect you may have broken a bone in your foot contact our Hudson office  by calling 727-868-2128 or 352-683-5799 today.