If you drop something heavy on your foot or step down awkwardly and twist your ankle, it’s important to get X-rays. Even small fractures cause bruising and swelling that may interfere with your mobility and quality of life. At Greenwood Foot Clinic, board-certified podiatrist and foot surgeon Mark Lazar, DPM, and podiatrist and foot surgeon Stephen Tentler, DPM, and the team, provide complete care for foot and ankle fractures. To make an appointment, call the office in Greenwood or Martinsville, Indiana, or book online today.
Fractures occur when a bone breaks into two or more pieces. Anyone can experience a fracture, but they’re most common in athletes and active individuals.
Minor fractures respond to conservative and non-invasive treatments, like casts and splints. More serious fractures typically require surgery and the use of special tools like pins, rods, and screws.
Symptoms of a fracture include:
Depending on the severity of the fracture, you might also experience a visible abnormality, like a piece of bone piercing your skin.
Make an appointment at Greenwood Foot Clinic if you experience a foot or ankle injury and there’s sudden pain, bruising, or swelling. You might also make an appointment if your symptoms make it difficult to stand up or place weight on the limb.
Fractures occur for a wide range of reasons, including:
Your job can also increase your risk of a fracture. For example, if you use hand tools, you’re more likely to drop something heavy on your foot.
The team at Greenwood Foot Clinic diagnoses fractures during an in-office visit.
Your provider reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including when they started, if they’re worse during activities like work or exercise, and if they respond to at-home treatment, like ice.
Next, your provider examines your foot and ankle, looking for bruising, swelling, or redness. They gently press on your foot and ankle to pinpoint the source of your discomfort and carefully move your foot from side to side to assess its range of motion.
Lastly, your provider orders diagnostic imaging, like X-rays or a CT scan, to locate the fracture and assess its severity.
Treatment of fractures depends on several factors, including the location of the broken bone and its severity. The team at Greenwood Foot Clinic might recommend:
If you have a bone that breaks into several pieces, the team might recommend surgery. During surgery, your provider uses pins, plates, and screws to hold your bone together as it heals.
To learn more about the treatment options for foot and ankle fractures, make an appointment at Greenwood Foot Clinic by calling the nearest office or booking online today.