Fractures

What are fractures?

Fractures are breaks in bones. Fractures can be complete, splitting the bone into two or more pieces, or partial. You can also have an open fracture, where the bone tears through the skin, or a closed fracture, where the skin doesn’t break.

Foot and ankle fractures result from falls, car accidents, and other traumatic events. You can also develop stress fractures working manual labor jobs or playing sports that require repetitive movements.

Osteoporosis is another cause of fractures. This condition causes the loss of minerals in bones, making them fragile. Even minor movements can cause stress fractures in weakened bones in the feet and ankles.

Family Foot & Ankle Center offers comprehensive care for foot and ankle fractures in children and adults. The team provides on-site imaging tests to quickly diagnose fractures. They personalize a care plan to support the healing of your broken bones.

What kind of symptoms do fractures cause?

Symptoms of a fracture are usually obvious immediately after a fall or other traumatic event. You’ll experience:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Tenderness
• Bruising
• Loss of range of motion
• Difficulty bearing weight on the bone

In a severe fracture, the bone could appear deformed beneath your skin or break through your skin.

Schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Family Foot & Ankle Center if you have pain or other symptoms of a fracture. The team uses X-rays to confirm a fracture and determine how severe the break is.

How are fractures treated?

The Family Foot & Ankle Center team provides nonsurgical fracture treatments, including bracing and casts that immobilize the damaged bone, allowing it to heal naturally. A fractured bone can take several weeks or months to become stable enough for your usual activities.

With more severe fractures, the specialists perform surgery to repair the fractured bone. They can implant screws or plates to hold the pieces of bone together so that they can heal quickly and correctly. After surgery, you might need to wear a brace or cast and use assistive devices like crutches to take the weight off your foot or ankle.

Once your fracture heals, the team will refer you for physical therapy to improve your muscle strength and restore full function in your foot or ankle.

Call Family Foot & Ankle Center today to schedule a fracture diagnostic evaluation or book an appointment online.