Foot Fracture Treatment in Kennesaw and Austell

Different Foot Fractures

Visit one of our excellent Georgia foot doctors to find out more about your foot injuries or fracture. Fractures are categorized as:

– Acute or stress
– Open or closed
– Displaced or non-displaced

An acute fracture is from a sudden injury, like from a car accident or fall. A stress fracture is from repeated stress over time like running. Stress fractures are common in the so called “weekend warrior” group which refer to those that work a normal desk job during the week but participate in sports on the weekend. In these patients, the bone may not be as strong because activity is sporadic not allowing time for bone to adapt to stress.

An open fracture occurs when the skin breaks over the fracture, creating a path for infection to find its way into your broken bones. Open fractures are serious, as they damage the soft tissues around the bone, which complicates the treatment process. Please visit the closest emergency room if you suspect an open fracture. A closed fracture is a fracture without broken skin.

A displaced fracture refers to the bones slipping out of alignment after they break. Displaced fractures require the care of a Georgia podiatrist to be properly realigned. This may involve metal pins or even plates used to set the bones into place. A non-displaced break simply means the fracture didn’t move the bones out of alignment. These breaks typically heal faster but you will need to wear a surgical shoe, boot or cast to prevent stress to the area while they heal.

Causes of Foot Fracture

Acute foot fractures typically are caused by a direct injury to your foot. This can happen by any number of means, such as:

– Dropping something on your foot
– Falling awkwardly
– Another person stepping on or kicking your foot

Certain bones can be fractured by badly twisting your ankle or foot. The 5th metatarsal is often fractured during an ankle sprain. A tendon attaches to the base of your 5th metatarsal which can rip a piece of bone off when the ankle is twisted. Another cause of acute fractures is twisting the foot while landing from a jump or fall. This is a common injury among ballet dancers.

Symptoms of Foot Fracture

If you fear you’ve suffered a foot or ankle fracture, visit a Georgia podiatrist. In the case of a high impact injury, if you are having severe pain, have a highly swollen bruised foot or have an open fracture with exposed flesh, please visit the emergency room first to make sure you are medically stable. Emergency rooms are important for acute care but it is important to visit a specialist for follow-up care and surgical treatment so make an appointment with the best Georgia podiatrist, Dr. Brody or Dr. Patel soon after the injury.

If you have heard a popping sound or crack at the time of injury, you may have a foot fracture or tendon injury. With an acute fracture, you will also experience swelling, pain and sometimes bruising. You may also have difficulty putting weight on your foot. Many people continue walking with foot pain, not knowing they have a fracture. It is important to be examined by a foot doctor in Georgia after an initial examination by an emergency room physician.

All symptoms should always be evaluated with a thorough consultation and examination by your podiatrist for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan to exclude any underlying serious condition.

Diagnosis and Treatment

If you are diagnosed with a foot fracture, radiographic testing is typically utilized by your podiatrist. MRI or CT imaging may also be used for more complex fractures. Your Georgia foot doctor must consider a number of factors when recommending treatment:

– The severity of the damage — how badly the bone is broken
– Which of the five metatarsal bones is broken
– Which area of the bone is fractured
– Whether the fracture is an open or closed fracture
– Whether the broken bone is displaced or non-displaced
– Age of the patient
Some of the basic treatments your foot doctor employs and/or recommends include:

– Ice: Applying ice to your injured foot reduces pain and swelling, but apply it immediately, within 10–30 minutes of your injury. You can create your own ice pack by packing the ice in a plastic bag and then wrapping it in a towel. Ice in increments of 20 minutes. You can also put a frozen bag of peas in a towel. Never place ice directly on your skin as it can cause an ice burn. Do not leave ice packs on while you sleep.

– Anti-inflammatory: Motrin and other anti-inflammatory medicines can help reduce pain and swelling to the area and have a long term improvement in symptoms. Please consult your medical doctor on what medications are safe for you to take.

– Elevation: Raising your foot up on a pillow or chair to at least the level of your hip helps reduce swelling by reducing the blood flow to your foot. While you sleep, you can put a pillow under your foot to elevate it.

– Lifestyle changes: Avoid the activity that caused the injury, especially if you suffered a stress fracture, but it also applies to acute factures. Avoiding activity that creates pain in your mid-foot allows your foot to heal. You may need to use a wheelchair or crutches, which your foot doctor in Georgia can provide.

– Rest: Rest aids the healing process of a foot fracture, and sometimes it’s the only treatment your podiatric doctor recommends, even in the case of a traumatic fracture. Healing takes time; give your fracture time to heal before you jump back into your everyday activities.

– Immobilization: Limiting the mobility of your ankle and feet while you wear a cast or other device allows your bones to heal properly. Effective support devices include a rigid boot, plaster casts or wraps.

– Physical therapy: Follow-up care suggested by your podiatrist ensures that your foot fracture heals completely and you’re less likely to hurt it again. Physical therapy not only gets you back on your feet, it also strengthens the surrounding muscles.

– Surgery: In some cases, your Georgia foot doctor may suggest a surgical procedure. This is usually when your foot requires re-alignment or additional support that metal pins or plates offer.