Our Services
Caring for Foot & Ankle Injuries
Signs & symptoms of a fracture | Common ankle fractures | Common foot fractures | Stress fractures | Treatments | Immobilization for proper healing | Surgery & internal fixation devices
Fractures of the foot or ankle are more common than many people realize. Fractures may occur in the phalanges, metatarsal bones, midtarsal bones, talus, calcaneus, tibia and fibula.
Recommended treatment depends on the exact site and severity of the fracture. A severe fracture may require surgery to implant wires, plates, rods or screws into the broken bone to establish and maintain proper alignment during healing. Our board-certified podiatrists at Step Lively Foot & Ankle Centers in the Greater Columbus, Ohio area have the expertise and training to help you get out of pain and back to your life!
Signs & symptoms of a fracture
Patients with a fractured ankle or foot may experience:
- Throbbing pain
- Pain that increases with activity & decreases with rest
- Swelling & bruising
- Tenderness
- Deformity
- Inability to walk or bear weight
- Cuts, puncture wounds & protrusion of bone fragments
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Common ankle fractures
One or more of the three bones that comprise the ankle joint can break during a fall or trauma to the ankle. However, the most common type of broken ankle is a fracture in one of the malleoli at the lower ends of the tibia and fibula. These bones help support the joint where the ankle bone connects to the calcaneus, which allows the foot to move from side to side. Injuries to these bones often occur when the ankle rolls inward or outward.
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Common foot fractures
The most common foot fractures involve the toe and metatarsal bones. These bones can be crushed by falling objects. Toe bones are also commonly broken by stubbing, while metatarsal fractures often occur during falls or car accidents.
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Stress fractures
These tiny cracks can develop in the weight-bearing bones of the feet, such as the metatarsals. Stress fractures are usually caused by repetitive force or overuse – running long distances and repeated wearing of high-heeled shoes, for example. But they can also occur with normal use secondary to osteoporosis.
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Treatment
Treatment for a broken ankle or broken foot depends on the exact location and severity of the injury. Typically, this type of injury requires either immobilization or surgery.
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Immobilization for proper healing
Restricting the movement of a broken bone in the foot or ankle is critical to healing. This may be as simple as taping a broken toe to the next toe, or applying a splint, walking boot, leg brace or cast. These options may take several weeks or months. We may also recommend patients crutches and specific instructions on the amount of time they should spend walking or standing on the injured leg.
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Surgery & internal fixation devices
We use surgery to implant internal fixation devices such as wires, plates, nails or screws to maintain proper position of the bones during healing. Some internal fixation materials are removed after the bone heals. Others may be left in place, while still others are made of materials that are absorbed by the body. Surgery may be recommended if patients have the following injuries:
- Multiple fractures
- Unstable or displaced fracture
- Loose bone fragments that could enter a joint
- Damage to the surrounding ligaments
- Intraarticular fractures
We encourage, honor and welcome your referrals.