A broken bone, or fracture, is usually accompanied by terrible pain or even a snap. There are 26 bones in each foot, and the ankle joint has three. Some people also have another sesamoid bone in their foot. Since the feet are subjected to strokes and movements every day, it is quite common for them to suffer a fracture. It is extremely important to be able to properly diagnose and treat a broken bone and should be done with care and attention.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: First Aid Measures
Step 1. Transfer the victim to a safe location and check for other injuries
If you have been hit to the head, neck or back, try to move it as little as possible and, if you really have to, do it with extreme caution. The safety of the victim and the rescuer are undoubtedly more important than making an immediate diagnosis or treating a foot injury.
Step 2. Remove shoes and socks and check for classic foot fracture symptoms
Compare both feet next to each other to see if they are swollen or if they look different. The most common symptoms are instant pain, swelling and deformity of the injured area. Other symptoms include:
- Hematoma or pain in the foot
- Numbness, cold skin, or bruising
- Large wounds and exposed bones
- Increased pain when the foot moves and decreases when it is at rest;
- Difficulty walking or weight bearing.
Step 3. Stop any bleeding
Apply pressure to the wound using gauze if possible. If the gauze or cloth becomes soaked with blood, do not remove it. Instead, add another layer of fabric and continue to maintain pressure.
Step 4. Call an ambulance if the victim is in severe pain or if the foot is showing worse symptoms
These may include deformities, a large injury or cut, and a severe discoloration of the foot. While you are waiting for the ambulance, encourage the victim to remain calm. Have her lie down and raise her injured foot higher than her heart.
Step 5. Splint the injured foot if you can't call for help
Immobilize the foot by placing a cane or rolling a newspaper on the inside of the foot, starting from the heel up to the big toe, and add a cloth for padding. Wrap a belt or other piece of fabric around your foot to keep the splint stable. If you can't find a way to splint it, wrap a rolled-up towel or pillow around your foot and use duct tape or string to tie it up. Remember that your primary goal is to limit their movement. Tie the splint or bandage tight enough, but not too tightly to block blood circulation.
Step 6. Apply ice to the injury and continue to keep the foot elevated to reduce swelling
Put a towel or cloth between your skin and the ice; leave the latter in place for 15 minutes and then remove it for another 15 minutes. Make sure the victim is not walking on the injured foot if they feel pain when putting on weight.
If you have crutches, use them
Part 2 of 4: Recognizing Stress Fractures of the Foot
Step 1. Recognize your risk factors
Stress fractures are quite common in the feet and ankles. They are particularly popular among athletes, because they are often the consequence of excessive stimulation and stressful repetitive movements, such as those that cross-country skiers have to endure.
- A sudden increase in physical activity can also cause this type of fracture. For example, if you are generally quite a sedentary person but take a hiking holiday, the risk of suffering a stress fracture is very high.
- Osteoporosis and some other conditions that affect bone strength and density can make you more prone to fractures of this type.
- Another factor that can lead to a stress fracture is trying to do a lot of physical activity too quickly. For example, if you have recently started training and start running 10 kilometers every week, you may find yourself with a broken bone.
Step 2. Pay attention to the pain
If the pain in your foot or ankle decreases when you are at rest, you may have a stress fracture. If the pain gets worse during your normal daily activities, it is a sign that could indicate this type of injury. The pain can also become worse over time.
- You may experience deep pain on the inside of the foot, on the toe, or in the ankle.
- Pain is not limited to moments of exhaustion after intense activity. If you experience constant pain, especially during normal daily activities or persists at rest, you should see your doctor. If you neglect it, the injury could worsen.
Step 3. Check to see if the foot swells or becomes sore
If you have a stress fracture, you may find that your toe swells and becomes painful to touch. Swelling may also occur on the outside of the ankle.
It is not normal to experience sharp pain when you touch the foot or ankle area. However, if this is the case, you need to see a doctor
Step 4. Look for bruises
In the case of a stress fracture, the hematoma is not always present, although it does sometimes occur.
Step 5. Go to the doctor
You may be tempted to resist and "be tough" with the pain, but don't. If you don't get proper medical treatment, the fracture could worsen over time. The bone could break completely.
Part 3 of 4: Aftercare
Step 1. Trust the orthopedist's diagnosis
Based on your symptoms, they may recommend that you have some non-invasive imaging tests to check for the injury. The most common are radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. These new techniques allow the doctor to examine the bone, locate the fracture and monitor the healing process.
Step 2. Follow your doctor's directions for treatment after your fracture
In some cases, surgery is not necessary to properly replace the bone. At the hospital, a cast is often applied and / or crutches are provided to avoid putting weight on the foot. Your orthopedist may also advise you to keep your foot elevated and apply ice to the injury to prevent it from swelling and being injured again.
- When using crutches, be sure to support your body weight with your arms and hands. Do not put weight on the armpits, you risk damaging the nerves in this area.
- Follow the doctor's instructions carefully. Neglecting his instructions and placing body weight on the injured foot is the primary cause of delayed healing and possible further bone fractures.
Step 3. Take medications as prescribed
Your doctor may advise you to take over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Oki, Brufen), or naproxen (Aleve, Momendol). These help reduce pain and swelling during the healing process.
- If you are expected to have surgery, you should stop taking medication one week before the operation. Ask your doctor or surgeon for more details.
- Take as little as possible to manage pain. Stop taking NSAIDs after 10 days to avoid complications.
- Your doctor may also advise you to increase your intake of calcium and vitamin D, both of which are crucial for bone health.
Step 4. Undergo surgery, if recommended by your orthopedist
In most cases, the orthopedist will seek non-surgical therapy for the foot to heal on its own, for example by applying a cast or limiting physical activity. However, in some situations it is necessary for the lesion to be manipulated classification (open reduction and internal fixation), if the broken end of the bone is misaligned. This surgery consists of repositioning the bone in its correct place, after having passed pins through the skin to lock it in place while it is welded. The healing process for this type of surgery takes an average of 6 weeks, after which the pins are removed. This is a necessary operation in most severe cases, where screws or pins have to be implanted to keep the foot in place during convalescence.
Step 5. Undergo follow-up visits to an orthopedist or podiatrist
Even if your injury type doesn't require surgery, these professionals can monitor the healing process. If you experience a new injury or other complications during your recovery period, your doctor may prescribe the appropriate treatment, therapy or surgery for you.
Part 4 of 4: Broken Foot Physiotherapy
Step 1. See a physical therapist once the cast is removed, as advised by the orthopedist
You can learn exercises to increase the strength and flexibility of the injured foot and try to avoid further damage.
Step 2. Do some warm-up at the start of each session
Start with a few minutes of light exercise, such as walking or cycling on the stationary bike. This loosens the muscles and promotes blood circulation.
Step 3. Stretch
This type of activity is the key to regaining the flexibility and range of motion of the foot. By performing the exercises recommended to you by your physical therapist, you can stretch the muscles and tendons of the injured foot. If you experience pain while stretching, see your doctor.
A suitable exercise in this regard is the stretch with the towel. Sit on the floor with one leg stretched forward, loop the towel and wrap it around the sole of the foot. Grab the ends of the towel and pull the top of the foot towards you. You should feel some stretch in the calf and heel. Hold the position for 30 seconds and then rest for another 30 seconds. Repeat the exercise 3 times
Step 4. Do the correct strengthening exercises
When done correctly, they allow you to regain the strength and endurance necessary for daily activities in which the injured foot is stressed. If you experience pain during this type of physical rehabilitation, you should see your physical therapist or orthopedist.
A classic strength exercise for the foot is the grip of the marble. Sit in a chair with both feet on the ground and place 20 marbles on the floor in front of you. Also place a container next to the balls. Try to grab the marbles one by one with your affected foot and drop them into the container. You should feel that the upper foot musculature is being worked on
Step 5. Regularly perform the exercises recommended by your physiotherapist
It is important to respect the rehabilitation program to return to normal daily activities and avoid the risk of new injuries.
