Items filtered by date: March 2024

Foot and ankle fractures are common orthopedic injuries that can significantly impact your daily life. Whether caused by sports injuries, accidents, or overuse, these fractures require prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment for optimal recovery.

Understanding the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options for foot and ankle fractures is crucial for both the patient and their podiatrist. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the intricacies of foot and ankle fractures, from common causes to the nuances of treatment and recovery.

Common Causes of Foot and Ankle Fractures

Foot and ankle fractures can occur due to a variety of reasons, ranging from sudden traumatic events to repetitive stress on the bones. Some common causes include:

• Trauma: Accidents, falls, and direct impacts to the foot or ankle during sports activities can result in fractures. These fractures may involve a single bone or multiple bones in the foot or ankle region.

• Overuse: Continuous stress on the foot and ankle, often seen in athletes or individuals engaged in high-impact activities, can lead to stress fractures. These fractures typically develop gradually due to repetitive strain without adequate rest or recovery time.

• Osteoporosis: Weakening of the bones due to osteoporosis increases the risk of fractures, including those in the foot and ankle. Fragile bones are more susceptible to foot and ankle fractures even with minor trauma or falls.

• Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions such as arthritis, neuropathy, or congenital deformities can predispose individuals to foot and ankle fractures by affecting bone strength and stability.

• Poor Footwear: Ill-fitting shoes or inadequate support can contribute to foot and ankle injuries, especially in activities that involve prolonged standing or walking.

Understanding these common causes can help you communicate with your podiatrist, and tailor your treatment plan to address your specific needs.

Treatment of Foot and Ankle Fractures

Foot fractures and ankle fractures differ in their anatomy and mechanisms of injury, leading to variations in treatment. While foot fractures involve the bones of the forefoot, midfoot, or hindfoot, ankle fractures specifically affect the bones around the ankle joint. Let's explore the treatment options for each:

Foot Fracture Treatment:

Foot fractures encompass a wide range of injuries, including metatarsal fractures, calcaneus fractures, and Lisfranc injuries. The treatment approach depends on factors including the severity of the fracture, the extent of displacement, and the patient's overall health. Common treatment modalities for foot fractures include:

• Immobilization: In cases of stable fractures with minimal displacement, immobilization with a cast, walking boot, or rigid shoe may be sufficient to allow for healing. This immobilization helps stabilize the fracture site and promotes proper alignment of the bones. Immobilization is recommended for small fractures, and it is not a substitute for foot and ankle surgery.

• Reduction and Casting: For displaced or unstable fractures, a procedure called reduction may be performed to realign the fractured bones. Once the alignment is restored, the foot is placed in a cast or splint to maintain the corrected position during the healing process.

• Foot and Ankle Surgery: In complex foot fractures or cases where conservative measures are ineffective, surgery may be necessary. Options for foot and ankle surgery may include internal fixation with screws, plates, or wires to stabilize the fractured bones and facilitate healing. In severe cases of open fractures or those involving multiple fractures, your podiatrist may give you an external fixation device to temporarily stabilize the foot.

• Physical Therapy: Following immobilization or surgical intervention, physical therapy plays a crucial role in rehabilitation. Therapeutic exercises help restore strength, flexibility, and range of motion in the foot, facilitating a gradual return to normal activities.

• Weight Bearing: The timeline for weight-bearing activities varies depending on the type of fracture and the chosen treatment approach. After foot and ankle surgery, patients may initially require non-weight-bearing or partial weight-bearing status, gradually transitioning to full weight-bearing as directed by their podiatrist.

Ankle Fracture Treatment:

Ankle fractures typically involve the distal ends of the tibia, fibula, or both, often resulting from twisting injuries or direct trauma to the ankle joint. Ankle fracture treatments range from simple immobilization to foot and ankle surgery, aiming to restore the stability of the ankle joint while promoting proper healing. Key treatment strategies for ankle fractures include:

• Immobilization: Similar to foot fractures, immobilization is an essential component of initial treatment for ankle fractures. Patients may be placed in a splint, cast, or walking boot to stabilize the ankle and protect the injured bones from further damage.

• Closed Reduction: In cases where the fractured bones are displaced but maintain good alignment, a closed reduction procedure may be performed. This involves manipulating the bones back into their proper position without the need for surgery, followed by immobilization to maintain alignment during the healing process.

• Foot and Ankle Surgery: Foot and ankle fractures with significant displacement or instability may require surgical intervention to achieve optimal alignment and stability. Surgical techniques may involve the use of screws, plates, or rods to secure the fractured bones in place. In some cases, an external fixation device may be applied temporarily to stabilize the ankle before definitive surgery.

• Rehabilitation: Physical therapy plays a vital role in rehabilitating ankle fractures by improving strength, flexibility, and balance. Early mobilization and range-of-motion exercises help prevent stiffness and promote functional recovery of the ankle joint. Gradual progression to weight-bearing activities is guided by the podiatrist or physical therapist, based on the individual's healing progress.

• Monitoring and Follow-Up: Regular monitoring of the fracture site and follow-up appointments with your podiatrist are essential throughout the recovery process. X-rays may be performed periodically to assess bone healing and ensure that the fracture is stabilizing as expected.

Understanding Foot and Ankle Fractures

Foot and ankle fractures pose significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, requiring a comprehensive approach tailored to the individual patient's needs. Understanding the common causes, treatment options, and rehabilitation strategies for these fractures is essential for achieving optimal outcomes and facilitating a smooth recovery process. Whether managed with immobilization or foot and ankle surgery, the goal remains the same: to restore function and mobility while minimizing complications. By collaborating closely with your podiatrist and adhering to prescribed treatment plans, you can navigate the journey from diagnosis to recovery with confidence and resilience.

If you’re suffering from a foot or ankle injury, stay off your feet and promptly call the experts at Physicians Footcare. Hesitation can hurt - make an appointment at one of our convenient locations today!

Are you struggling with foot pain that feels like you're standing on a pebble? If so, you may be suffering from Morton's Neuroma. This condition is caused by the tightening of the tissue surrounding the nerve that leads to your feet, resulting in pain, numbness, and burning in the toes and balls of the feet. 

Managing Morton's Neuroma requires a clear understanding of the causes, symptoms, and available treatment options. To help with this, the podiatry team at Physicians Footcare has put together an extensive guide to help you understand and manage foot pain caused by Morton’s Neuroma. Take control of your life and get back to living without foot pain by addressing this condition head-on. 

Causes of Morton’s Neuroma

Foot pain is caused by various risk factors, many of which are proven to be directly related to this condition. The common causes of Morton’s Neuroma are repeated irritation, pressure, and injury on the nerve that leads to your toes and the balls of your feet. The following are common activities and practices that increase your chances of developing Morton’s Neuroma: 

• Wearing high heels or ill-fitting shoes: Tight shoes such as these put extra pressure on your toes and the balls of your feet. 
• High-impact sports: Activities such as running or jogging can lead to repetitive trauma and excess strain on your feet. Sports that require tight-fitting shoes such as skiing and rock climbing can also lead to increased foot pain. 
• Foot deformities: Previous existing conditions such as flat feet, bunions, and hammertoes will put you at higher risk for Morton’s Neuroma. 

Risk factor awareness will make you less susceptible to this condition, and will help prevent foot pain in the long run. 

Symptoms To Look Out For

Many individuals with this condition say that their foot pain is similar to the feeling of standing on a pebble. Even so, Morton's Neuroma does not have any physical signs, such as a bump or growth on the foot. It is important to recognize and address tingling, numbness, or burning in the feet. 

This burning sensation most commonly occurs between the third and fourth toe, but you may also experience pain and numbness in the balls of your feet. You may find that removing your shoes and massaging the area will relieve some of the pain. If the pain becomes persistent, lasting for days at a time, you should consult a podiatrist. 

Podiatrist-Recommended Treatment Options

To diagnose your foot pain, a podiatrist will press the sole to feel for a tender spot where the tissue has thickened. If your pain is diagnosed as Morton’s Neuroma, the intensity of your treatment plan will be dependent on the severity of your condition. For less severe cases, pain can be managed with at-home remedies. But, if your pain level increases, the treatment options will become more serious. 

At-Home Remedies

Lifestyle changes and at-home remedies may help to relieve foot pain and promote healing within the affected nerve. Consider using the following care tips to manage your Morton’s Neuroma:

• Anti-Inflammatory Medication: Ibuprofen (Motrin and Advil) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) can be used to reduce pain and swelling in the feet. 
• Ice massage: Roll a frozen water bottle along the bottom of your foot to reduce swelling and alleviate pain. 

For less severe cases, your podiatrist may suggest: 

• Supportive footwear: shoes with a wider toe box will help to alleviate some of the pressure put on the toes and ball of the foot during daily wear. 
• Custom foot orthotics: Insoles will provide extra support and padding which will help to reduce pressure on the affected nerve. These can be purchased over the counter or custom-made to fit your foot exactly. 

These treatment options are suggested for individuals who are experiencing irregular foot pain. If you experience daily and constant pain you would fall into the severe category. 

For more severe cases: 

If the condition worsens and your pain becomes more severe, your podiatrist may result to the following pain management treatments: 

• Steroid injections: These will help to alleviate pain once the injection is placed into the affected area. 
• Decompression surgery: In this case, the podiatrist will relieve pressure on the nerve by cutting away nearby structures such as the ligament that binds some of the bones in the front of the foot.
• Removal of the nerve: In the most severe cases complete removal of the affected nerve may be necessary. 

Managing Morton’s Neuroma

If you can relate to the symptoms and causes and suspect that you may be suffering from Morton’s Neuroma, it is recommended to contact your local podiatrist. Their expertise will provide tailored solutions ranging from advanced treatments to personalized care plans. At Physicians Footcare, our expert podiatrists can help you regain mobility and get back to living your life pain-free. Schedule an appointment with us today!