A broken ankle can be debilitating. It not only affects the mobility of an individual but also adversely impacts the quality of life. It is hard to imagine the state of mind of an athlete or a dancer with a broken ankle.  

Foot fractures range from minor hairline fractures to traumatic injuries. Regardless of the severity of the problem, accurate and timely medical intervention is essential. Although foot and ankle fractures are temporarily disabling, proper medical treatment is necessary because delay in treatment or ignorance may lead to severe complications.

A foot doctor is well aware of the intricate working of the bones, tendons and ligaments. They are backed with medical advancements and select the most suited surgical technique to offer the best treatment as soon as possible.

Today’s post provides a detailed description of the types of foot and ankle fractures. Further, there is a discussion of the fracture diagnosis techniques used by board certified foot doctors. Later, the post progresses towardthe treatment options available for such excruciating foot and ankle pain.

Types of foot fractures

Based on the site of the trauma, foot fractures are divided into the following categories:

Toe fractures

Trauma or injury to the front foot might lead to a fracture in the forefoot or toe. 

Ankle fractures

There are three bones in the ankle joint, i.e. tibia, fibula and talus. A fracture at the ankle joint means one of the three bones is broken.

Metatarsal bone fractures

Timely medical treatment is very crucial for broken metatarsal bones in the foot. These are long thin bones in the forefoot that connect the phalanges of the foot.

Sesamoid bone fractures

It is also a kind of forefoot fracture because sesamoid bones are located at the end of the metatarsal bone of the big toe.

Above listed fractures can be further categorized into:

• Non-displaced fractures: The broken bones are positioned correctly.
• Displaced fractures: The alignment of the broken bones is disrupted and the bones are separated.

What causes foot and ankle fractures?

There are various types of bones working intricately in the foot anatomy. Fractures happen as a result of trauma or injury. People with weak bones and ligaments are more susceptible to foot fractures.

The trauma that might lead to a broken bone in the foot includes the following:

• Rolling or twisting the ankle in-out or side-to-side
• Over-flexed foot joints
• Forced jumping or a sharp fall
• Heavy object falling on the foot

How to identify foot fractures?

In some cases, identifying a foot fracture might be difficult. Moreover, some people are even able to walk with a broken bone in the foot. However, avoiding discomfort can aggravate the situation and lead to long-term complications. Therefore, it is best to seek medical treatment if any of the following symptoms are observed:

• Bruising, inflammation, redness
• Tenderness at the fracture site
• Throbbing pain
• Difficulty in walking
• Painful weight bearing

How are foot fractures diagnosed?

A foot doctor uses various imaging techniques to identify the root cause of foot pain. It can be a sprain injury in the soft tissue or an actual broken bone that we refer to as a fracture. Both sprains and fractures have similar symptoms, thus x-ray imaging becomes essential.

Based on the severity of the injury, a doctor determines whether an x-ray scan is adequate or CT Scan and MRI are required. To put it simply, a broken bone condition can be diagnosed with an initial consultation of the symptoms followed by the below listed imaging techniques:

• Musculoskeletal ultrasound
• MRI
• CT scans

What is included in the treatment of foot fractures

The treatment of broken bones includes strategies for their alignment and stability. Based on the severity of the fracture, the following medical interventions are suggested.

Treatment of non-displaced fractures

As stated above, these fractures have broken but correctly positioned bones. Thus, non-surgical treatment options can be selected. For minor cases of fractures, the REST protocol is followed. REST stands forRest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.

A leg cast or a foot splint can be used to immobilize the trauma site and provide sufficient rest. Further, applying Ice to the injured area along with compression and elevation helps in reducing inflammation and swelling. 

Treatment of displaced fractures

Surgical interventions are required in case of severe fractures. Below are the surgery options for complex cases in which broken bones are misaligned and severely damage the muscles, tendons as well as ligaments.

Fixation surgery: For displaced ankle bone, the surgeons will use positioning plates, screws and other surgical hardware.

Non-union surgical repair: The surgery is performed to establish a healthy vascular area around the trauma site which is showing no signs of healing for three months.

Reduction surgery: The procedure involves a quick alignment of bones after the fracture. This surgery ensures proper healing of the fracture and limits the chances of foot deformity.

Recovery after foot or ankle fracture surgery

A broken bone can heal within six weeks, whereas the ligaments and soft tissue might take longer. Therefore, following the aftercare suggestions is crucial for a speedy recovery. Once the surgery is completed, patients are required to follow a pain management protocol.

When the bones are healed, X-rays are obtained and the splints are removed to begin the physical therapy. Rehabilitation exercises are required for a minimum of six weeks to regain strength and mobility at the site of the fracture.

Conclusion

Broken ankles or foot fractures required immediate medical intervention. Consult with a specialist for an individualized treatment and recovery plan. The physicians at Orange County Foot & Ankle Group, Inc. are Board Certified in Foot Surgery. These experts use the most advanced equipment and surgical techniques. Book an appointment right now to receive the best-suited foot, ankle and heel pain treatment.