Foot and ankle fractures of any degree can be painful and make walking difficult. If you do not seek medical treatment, you could experience problems during the healing process.
If you need to take care of a bone fracture, make an appointment with the orthopedic surgeons at Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Center. We serve patients throughout Greater Columbus.
Visiting an orthopedic surgeon doesn’t mean that surgery is necessary. Our orthopedic doctors always prefer to use non-surgical procedures to treat injuries.
“My husband and I were impressed and please by the friendly and helpful staff. Everyone was compassionate and concerned about my comfort and wellbeing. The surgery center was easy to access and the staff was professional and well trained. The pain management was amazing. I truly was never in much pain and was off all pain medication in one week. I am happy to report I have full flexibility and I am pain free. The one stop shop was great with an x-ray department, cast clinic and physical therapy all in one place.” — Doris B.
A bone fracture is a medical term used to describe a broken bone. Bone fractures are usually caused by a traumatic injury, such as one sustained in a motor vehicle accident, a sports injury, or a fall. Hairline fractures can occur as repetitive use injuries.
Fracture care is the term used to describe the package of treatment that is included to take care of your fractured bone. At Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Center, our fracture care consists of the following:
You may hear many terms to describe bone fractures. These terms are used to describe the pattern of the break, the cause of the fracture, and/or the location. The following examples highlight some of the terms used to describe bone fractures:
There are many types of foot and ankle fractures. The list below mentions some of the possible fractures that can occur in your foot or ankle.
You should seek medical attention if there is an obvious deformity, if the pain and swelling don’t improve with self-care, or if the pain of your foot or ankle condition worsens and begins swelling. You should also see a doctor if you cannot bear weight on your injured foot and/or ankle.
Your doctor will begin with a physical exam. They may check the range of motion of your ankle and ask you to walk to check your gait. Your doctor may also order one or more of the following imaging tests:
There are several forms of treatment to help correct fractures. Consider some of the non-surgical and surgical treatments.
You can control many of the symptoms of a fracture with the RICE method. This refers to Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. You may take over-the-counter pain medication, such as ibuprofen, to help reduce swelling and pain.
If your bones are out of line, your doctor may need to perform a closed reduction. This refers to a realignment of the broken bones. Your doctor may also immobilize the broken bone with a splint, a protective boot or a cast. This will depend on the location and severity of the fracture.
More serious fractures may require Open Reduction Internal Fixation (ORIF) fracture surgery. Listed below are some of the surgical procedures for foot and ankle fractures.
During the recovery period, it may be recommended that you do physical therapy. This will help restore your range of motion and strengthen the muscles in the area.
If you need to care for a bone fracture, make an appointment with our expert surgeons at Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Center. We have several locations in the Columbus, OH area to serve you. Our experienced specialists look forward to providing the quality care you deserve.
Medically reviewed by Corey J. Griffith, DPM
