Foot Fractures – Expert Diagnosis and Treatment for Foot Injuries
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Overview
Your feet contain 26 bones that work together to support movement, balance, and weight distribution. When one or more of these bones are fractured, it can severely limit your ability to walk and perform daily activities.
Foot fractures may range from tiny stress cracks caused by repetitive use to complex breaks resulting from trauma or accidents. Regardless of the cause, early orthopedic evaluation is crucial to ensure proper healing, prevent chronic pain, and restore full mobility.
At Dr. Burke Orthopedics, we provide comprehensive diagnostic imaging, personalized treatment, and guided rehabilitation for all types of foot fractures—serving patients throughout Pearland, Houston, Friendswood, and Southeast Texas.
Understanding Foot Fractures
The foot is divided into three main sections—hindfoot, midfoot, and forefoot—each of which can sustain different types of fractures depending on the injury mechanism.
Commonly fractured areas include:
- Metatarsal bones: Long bones connecting the ankle to the toes; often fractured by overuse or dropping heavy objects.
- Toe bones (phalanges): Typically broken through stubbing or impact injuries.
- Navicular and cuboid bones: Central
- midfoot bones vulnerable to twisting injuries.
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Foot fractures can result from acute trauma or chronic stress, with varying symptoms based on severity and location.
Common Causes and Risk Factors
- Falls, car accidents, or heavy impact injuries.
- Dropping a heavy object on the foot.
- Overuse or repetitive stress from running, jumping, or marching.
- Twisting injuries during sports or sudden movement.
- Direct trauma from workplace or athletic accidents.
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Risk Factors:
- Osteoporosis or weakened bone density.
- High-impact sports (basketball, soccer, gymnastics).
- Poor footwear support or uneven terrain.
- Previous foot injuries or deformities
- Occupations requiring prolonged standing or heavy lifting.
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Symptoms
Symptoms vary depending on whether the fracture is mild (stress fracture) or severe (displaced or open fracture).
Most common signs include:
- Sudden or gradual onset of pain in the foot.
- Swelling, bruising, or tenderness around the injury site.
- Inability to bear weight or walk comfortably.
- Visible deformity in severe fractures.
- Pain that worsens with movement and improves with rest.
- Numbness or tingling if nerves are affected.
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If left untreated, fractures can heal improperly, leading to chronic instability, arthritis, or deformity.
Diagnosis
- At Dr. Burke Orthopedics, Dr. Robert L. Burke uses advanced diagnostic imaging and physical assessment to confirm the type and location of your fracture.
- Evaluation steps include:
- Medical history review: Mechanism of injury, symptoms, and activity level.
- Physical examination: Checking swelling, alignment, circulation, and nerve function.
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Imaging:
- X-rays: Identify fracture pattern, displacement, or bone fragments.
- CT or MRI: Used for complex fractures or stress-related injuries to evaluate soft tissue damage.
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Accurate diagnosis helps determine whether conservative management or surgical repair is the best option for recovery.
Treatment Options at Dr. Burke Orthopedics
Treatment depends on fracture type, severity, and location. Our goal is to restore bone alignment, prevent complications, and ensure full mobility recovery.
Non-Surgical Treatments
- Immobilization: Use of a boot, cast, or splint to stabilize the foot and allow healing.
- Crutches or non-weight-bearing: Prevents stress on the fracture while bones repair.
- Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (R.I.C.E.): Reduces swelling and discomfort.
- Pain management and anti-inflammatories: For short-term relief.
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- Begins after immobilization phase to restore motion and strength.
- Focuses on gait retraining and balance restoration.
- Includes progressive weight-bearing and strengthening exercises.
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- Platelet-rich plasma injections use your body’s own growth factors to promote healing and reduce chronic inflammation.
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Most simple fractures heal within 6–8 weeks with conservative care.
Surgical Treatments
Surgery may be necessary if the bones are displaced, unstable, or involve the joint surfaces.
Surgical options include:
- Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF):
- Realigns broken bones and secures them with screws, plates, or pins.
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External fixation:
- Used in severe trauma cases to stabilize bones externally while soft tissues heal.
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Joint reconstruction or fusion:
- Performed for chronic or complex fractures to restore alignment and relieve pain.
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- Used for extensive deformities or post-fracture corrections.
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Joint Replacement:
- Performed for chronic or complex fractures to restore alignment and relieve pain.
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Modern surgical methods emphasize minimally invasive techniques for reduced downtime and quicker rehabilitation.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
- Non-surgical: 6–8 weeks for most fractures.
- Surgical: 10–12 weeks for initial healing, followed by therapy.
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Rehabilitation includes:
- Gradual return to weight-bearing.
- Strength and flexibility restoration.
- Gait and balance training.
- Monitoring for complications like stiffness or arthritis.
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Full recovery may take 3–6 months depending on fracture type and patient health.
Long-Term Outlook and Prevention
With proper treatment and ongoing foot care, most patients fully recover from plantar fasciitis and resume normal activity.
Prevention tips:
- Wear supportive, properly fitted footwear.
- Avoid running or walking on uneven surfaces.
- Maintain bone health with calcium and vitamin D.
- Address biomechanical issues like flatfoot or overpronation early.
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Regular checkups with an orthopedic specialist can help ensure lasting foot stability.
When to Seek Medical Care
Call Dr. Burke Orthopedics or seek immediate medical care if you experience:
- Severe pain or visible deformity after an injury.
- Inability to bear weight or move the foot.
- Significant swelling, bruising, or warmth.
- Numbness, tingling, or discoloration of toes.
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Early treatment prevents long-term complications and speeds recovery.
Take the First Step Toward Healing
If you’ve experienced a foot injury or suspect a fracture, timely orthopedic care can make the difference between full recovery and lasting discomfort.
At Dr. Burke Orthopedics, we offer expert diagnosis and advanced treatment options to restore strength, mobility, and confidence.
Call (713) 436-3488 or Request an Appointment Online to schedule a consultation with Dr. Robert L. Burke, board-certified orthopedic surgeon serving Pearland, Houston, Friendswood, and Southeast Texas
