Sprained Ankles, Broken Foot & Toe Bones
Don’t Take Chances With A Foot Injury
If you recently injured your ankle, foot or toe, we can help you recover.
It is commonly believed that if you can still move your ankle, foot or toe after an injury that it is OK and nothing is broken. This is completely false. Being able to move the injured part does not mean it is not broken. Only experience and an X-Ray can determine the extent of the injury and diagnose any broken bones.
A broken foot, ankle or toe is also called a fracture. Because each foot has 26 bones in it, and those bones bear considerable forces each time you take a step, fractures are common. A broken ankle, toe or foot can be debilitating and painful, especially when you have to get around the Queens neighborhood. If you think you have a broken toe, ankle or foot, it is important to have an evaluation by Dr. Stanley J Zawada.
Understanding Foot Fractures
The foot can be divided into three sections. The back of your foot contains two bones, which are the talus and the calcaneus, which form your heel. The middle foot includes five bones, which are the navicular, cuboid and three cuniforms. The forefoot has the long metatarsals, two sesamoids and the small bones that make up your toes. Those small bones are called phalanges. Your big toe has two phalanges, and your other toes have three. Any of these bones can be fractured. Most fractures happen when too much force is applied to the bone from activities such as twisting, crushing, bending or stretching.
Symptoms and Causes of a Broken Toe
When you have a broken bone in your toe, you may develop symptoms such as bruising or redness, swelling and pain. It may hurt to touch the toe, and wearing shoes may cause an increase in your pain. A broken bone in the big toe could make it difficult to walk, but a broken bone in your other toes may have no impact at all on your ability to bear weight or walk. The most common cause of a broken toe is when you kick something too hard. Tripping or stubbing your toe could also fracture one of the phalanges.
Broken Ankle Symptoms and Causes
Symptoms of a broken ankle include swelling and pain in and around the ankle. You may also develop bruising, and the bruising could extend around the top and side of your foot. When your ankle is broken, it may be difficult or even impossible for you to put weight on the affected foot. The symptoms of a broken bone in the ankle and a sprained ankle are similar, which is why it is important to visit our Whitestone podiatrist for an evaluation of your injury. Most broken ankles result from a twisting injury or a fall.
Symptoms and Causes of a Broken Foot
A broken bone in your heel or mid-foot causes extensive swelling and bruising. You might hear a snapping or popping sound when the bone breaks. A broken bone in the heel or mid-foot makes it difficult or impossible to walk or bear weight. The swelling could make you unable to get your shoe on your foot. These mid-foot fractures are often associated with a torn ligament, such as a Lisfranc injury. Broken or displaced metatarsals are the most common fracture of the mid-foot. These fractures often result from athletic or sports injuries or tripping and twisting your foot while falling down.
Just because nothing is broken is not an indication that the injury is not severe. Soft tissue injuries such as: torn ligaments, torn tendons, and muscle sprains also require proper diagnosis and treatment to prevent future re-injury . Lack of proper diagnosis and treatment can lead to long term and permanent disability.
If your injury meets any of the following conditions, visit Family Foot Center:
- You injured your ankle foot or toe somehow
- You could hear or feel something tear
- It was accompanied by a pop or snap
- You notice bruising and/or discoloration in the area
- Swelling of the area
If you’ve recently suffered an injury to your ankle, foot or toe,
don’t hesitate, call Family Foot Center at 718-767-5555.
CALL NOW!