What it is
Foot and ankle fractures range from a hairline stress fracture in a metatarsal to a displaced ankle fracture that requires plates and screws. What they share is that alignment during healing determines the long-term outcome.
Many patients walk on fractures for weeks believing they have a bad sprain. Imaging is the only way to know. A fracture treated in week one is straightforward; the same fracture at week eight, healed in a bad position, may require surgery to correct.
Symptoms we look for
- Immediate pain, swelling and bruising after injury
- Pain directly over bone rather than soft tissue
- Difficulty bearing weight or an obvious deformity
- A gradual, worsening ache with activity (stress fracture)
How we treat it
- X-ray, and advanced imaging where a stress fracture is suspected
- Casting or boot immobilization for stable fractures
- Surgical fixation with plates, screws or pins when displaced
- Bone stimulation for delayed union
- Graduated return to weight-bearing and activity
When to see a podiatrist
Any injury that leaves you unable to bear weight, or any bone tenderness that persists beyond a few days, should be imaged. Do not assume it is a sprain.
Common questions
Can you walk on a broken foot?
Frequently yes, which is exactly why fractures get missed. The ability to walk does not rule out a break.
How long does a foot fracture take to heal?
Most take six to eight weeks to unite, with a further period of gradual return to full activity. Stress fractures in poorly-vascularized bone can take longer.