There are a number of small bones in your feet and ankles, and any one of them can fracture if they are subjected to enough stress or repetitive force. Sometimes, it’s very easy to know that you’ve broken a bone in your foot, while other times it’s not so clear. But given the fact that we put pressure on our feet with every step we take, is it really possible to break a bone in your foot without knowing? We answer that question and more in today’s blog.
Could I Be Dealing With A Broken Foot?
There are a number of similar characteristics and symptoms that present along with a broken bone, but sometimes these symptoms also appear with injuries like a stubbed toe or a sprained ankle. So while these are some of the most common symptoms associated with a broken bone in your foot, having these symptoms doesn’t mean that you are for sure dealing with a fracture:
- Significant pain
- Numbness
- Swelling
- Discoloration
- Inability to bear weight
- Difficulty or inability to walk
One other symptom that is associated with a foot fracture is an audible crack or snapping sound at moment of injury. This is one of the telltale signs of a break.
If You Suspect A Break
If you are dealing with any of the above symptoms, it’s in your best interest to head to your primary care provider’s office or to set up an appointment with a foot specialist like Dr. Silverman. They’ll be able to provide you with a specific diagnosis in just a few simple steps.
Dr. Silverman will begin by asking about the incident and your symptoms. He’ll also review your medical history before taking a look at the foot. He may have you move or manipulate your foot in a few different ways to test for stability and flexibility. Odds are he’ll have a pretty good idea what’s going on inside your foot after these physical tests, but because there are a lot of small bones in your foot, he’ll want to confirm his suspicions with the help of an imaging test.
The most common imaging test in this situation is an x-ray. An x-ray exam allows the doctor to view bone integrity, which is why it is so helpful when a break is suspected. CT scans and MRIs are more detailed and can allow the doctor to visualize some soft tissues, so they may be ordered to rule out other injuries, but if a simple break is suspected, it’s likely that an x-ray will be ordered.
Once a specific fracture has been identified, your specialist can walk you through an individualized treatment plan. And while each plan will vary, oftentimes conservative care can allow the bone to heal so long as it is in a stable position and normal healing is expected. If the fracture site is unstable or limited blood flow to the site is expected, surgical intervention may be necessary. However, most patients will heal just fine by using a combination of rest, protective walking boots, anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, icing and gentle stretching.
So if you think you’re dealing with a foot fracture, or you just want to get to the bottom of your foot pain, reach out to Dr. Silverman and his team today at (952) 224-8500.
