Types of Foot and Ankle Fractures

Given that your lower limbs contain 25% of all the bones in your body, it makes sense that there are a variety of foot and ankle fractures you could potentially sustain. These include ones that are specific to various areas, like talus, heel bone (calcaneus), Lisfranc, fifth metatarsal, forefoot and toe fractures.

Where a fracture takes place is certainly important, but perhaps more so is understanding the nature of the break. Not all of these injuries are the same. Some happen due to physical trauma (auto accidents, sports injuries), whereas others can develop over time.

When looking at the type of fracture sustained in the area, there are a couple of different classifications:

• Stress Fractures – These are surface-level cracks caused by an accumulation of forces over a period of time, particularly occurring when the bone tissue hasn’t had time to complete its natural, regenerative process. The pain increases over time and is at its worse during or immediately following activity.
• Simple Fractures – In part, a key component of a simple fracture is the fact that the bone tissue does not pierce the skin (as is the case with an open fracture). Another important distinction is that the break happens in such a manner that the bone fragments are lined up to heal in a natural position.
• Open Fractures – Also known as a compound fracture, this is where a broken bone fragment actually pierces the skin. This is a very serious condition, as there is a high risk for microorganisms to enter the wound and lead to infection. When bone breaks through the skin, do not attempt to push it back in. Instead, seek immediate medical care.

No matter which of the various foot and ankle fractures you might have experienced, Southern Tier Podiatry can help by assessing the extent of the injury, stabilizing the area, and creating effective treatment plans to relieve swelling and painful symptoms. When necessary, we can also perform surgical procedures to make sure bones are lined up to heal correctly.

If you are experiencing pain in your lower limbs or would simply like additional information, contact our Broome County, NY foot doctor office and we will be glad to help. You can speak to one of our friendly staff members by calling (607) 217-5668 or take advantage of our online form to schedule your appointment with us today.