If you think you may have a broken bone in your feet or ankles,
call
today to make an appointment in our Seattle office. Fractures (broken
bones) are common injuries of the foot and ankle. Because our foot and
ankle rarely get any real rest, it is important to have proper treatment
of any foot fracture or ankle fracture as soon as possible.
There are many different types of broken foot bones and broken ankle
bones.
Calcaneus Fracture (Broken heel bone)
Figure 1: Calcaneal/heel bone stress fracture.
Figure 2: Calcaneal fracture due to trauma.
The calcaneus is the heel bone. Heel bone fractures caused by daily
activities are called calcaneal stress fractures, figure 1. Calcaneus fractures
caused by trauma can be severe injuries and often lead to problems of chronic pain in the foot
and traumatic arthritis, figure 2.
Treatment of a broken heel bone depends on the severity of the fracture.
Talus Fractures (Broken Ankle Bone)
Figure 3: Talus (lower ankle joint bone) fracture due to trauma.
A talus/lower ankle joint bone fracture occurs when the main ankle bone breaks,
figure 3. Talus fractures
are very serious and often require surgery, Even with surgical
treatment, patients can develop long term problems such as arthritis in
the ankle or subtalar joint.
Broken Ankle - Ankle Fracture
Figure 4: Ankle fracture due to trauma.
Ankle fractures, figure 4, are common injuries and should be treated immediately
to help prevent long term problems. Call us immediately if you think you
many have fractured your ankle.
5th Metatarsal Shaft Fracture
If you twist and injure your foot you may break / fracture the shaft of
the 5th metatarsal (long bone behind 5th toe). Sometimes called a
Dancer's fracture since it may occur while standing up on your toes.
Treated with casting or surgery depending on severity of fracture.
Fifth Metatarsal Shaft Fracture
5th Metatarsal Tuberosity
Fracture
If you twist your ankle the tendon on the outside of your foot pulls
and may fracture the base of the 5th metatarsal (long bone behind 5th
toe). Tuberosity fractures can usually be treated with casting and only
a short period of crutches. However, the Jones fracture (SEE BELOW) is
1.5 cm forward from the tuberosity fracture requires casting, crutches
and possible surgery.
5th metatarsal fracture (long bone behind 5th toe)
Metatarsal Stress Fracture
Figure 5: Metatarsal (forefoot bone) stress fracture.
A metatarsal stress fracture, figure 5, is a common cause of pain on top of the
foot, especially when people suddenly increase their activities. This
type of injury is very common in soldier recruits and thus is also
called a "march fracture." Read more on metatarsal stress fractures.
Jones Fracture
Figure 6: Jones fracture/fracture base of 5th metatarsal bone (bone on the outside of the midfoot).
Jones fractures, figure 6, are fractures of the fifth metatarsal bone of the
foot. Patients who develop a Jones fracture have pain over this
middle/outside area of their foot, swelling, and pain when walking.
Because of poor blood supply to the area of the bone where this fracture
occurs, it often does not heal well if not treated correctly.
Navicular Stress Fracture
Figure 7: Navicular stress fracture.
A navicular stress fracture, figure 7, is an injury to the bone on the inside of
the foot between the ankle bone and the midfoot. People who develop a
stress fracture of the navicular often complain of a vague pain in the
midfoot that hurts during activity. Treatment of a navicular stress
fractures is usually involves immobilization in a cast or walking boot
for several weeks. Orthotics are often used after healing to prevent
return of the stress fracture.
Lisfranc Fracture
Figure
8: Lisfranc fracture/midfoot fracture due to trauma.
This is both a fracture and a dislocation of the joints in the middle
of the foot. This is a very serious injury that usually requires
surgical repair. Without surgical repair nearly 100% of these injuries
go on to cause severe arthritis of the midfoot, figure 8.
Toe Fractures
Figure
9: Toe fracture.
Contrary to popular belief, toe fractures, figure 9, should always be treated in
order to prevent long-term problems. Detailed information on toe
fractures is available here. Detailed
information on toe fractures is available here.
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All pages on this website © 2005-2010
Douglas Hale, DPM & Lawrence Huppin, DPM
Foot and Ankle Center of Washington, Seattle
The material provided on this web site is for informative purposes only.
If you need specific medical advice, please contact the office for an appointment.
