Foot Fracture

What is a Foot Fracture?

The human foot has 26 bones. There are two bones in the hindfoot: The talus, which is where the foot attaches to the leg, and the calcaneus, which forms the heel. Five smaller foot bones called the navicular, cuboid, and three cuneiform bones make up the midfoot. The long part of the foot is called the forefoot and contains 19 bones. There is a metatarsal for each of the five toes; the big toe is made up of two phalanges, and the other toes each have three phalanges.In addition, the foot sometimes has small pebble-like bones called sesamoid bones. These bones do not perform any necessary function and are often called accessory bones. Fractures in the foot are very common.

Common Causes:

• • Bend, twist, or stretch to the foot
  • Accidently kicking something hard
  • Fall from a height and land on your feet
  • Crushed foot from a heavy object

Symptoms of a broken foot may include:

• • Pain
  • Swelling
  • Bruising
  • Limited range of motion
  • Inability to bear weigh

An Orthopedic Physicians Alaska (OPA) Foot and Ankle Specialist will conduct the following to obtain the proper diagnosis to start immediate treatment for quicker recovery:

• • A medical, injury, and symptom history review
  • A physical examination
  • Multiple view x-rays, CT scan or MRI

When you arrive for your initial consultation, Orthopedic Physicians Alaska (OPA) foot specialist will evaluate your areas of concern, discuss your symptoms, and develop a customized and comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your unique needs. This evaluation is a necessary part of diagnosing your condition and providing the best possible care.

Common Treatments:

Nonsurgical treatment options are commonly used to treat ankle fractures. A treatment plan usually consists of multiple treatment options:

Surgery may be recommended to treat foot fractures that disrupt the integrity/anatomy of the joint and require to heal properly. During internal fixation procedure, an OPA foot and specialist reduces the fractured or broken bones and fixates with pins, screws, and/or plates are most often used to hold the small bones of the foot during the healing. A splint immobilizes the foot after surgery. Bone healing is monitored over the course of many weeks. After the fracture has healed an OPA selected physical therapist will help you regain strength and your foot becomes strong and healthy. Patients who have their surgery performed by an OPA foot a specialist fully recover.