What is a fracture?
A fracture is what happens when you break a bone. Some fractures are serious injuries that involve multiple breaks (comminuted fractures) or bones pushing through your skin (compound or open fracture). Other fractures are far milder, like a hairline crack in a bone in your foot.
Ankle fractures are a common type of injury. They occur in the same way as sprains when the joint rolls or twists too far. A sprain affects the ligaments and can occur at the same time as a fracture. Fractures in the toes and feet frequently happen because of a heavy object landing on your foot.
As well as acute fractures, which occur suddenly and cause immediate pain, you could also develop a stress fracture in your lower leg. Stress fractures consist of many tiny breaks in the bone that develop over time.
Sports injuries from running in unsupportive footwear or on hard surfaces are a common cause of stress fractures in the lower leg.
What are the symptoms of fractures?
Pilon Fracture
Acute fractures in your lower legs, feet, or ankles typically cause severe pain, unless the break is minor. Swelling appears that can extend up your leg. Bruising soon starts to show, and you might see blisters on your skin near the injury. The leg or foot looks noticeably different from your other leg, too.
You'll likely have trouble putting weight on the affected limb or difficulty walking. This can also happen with a bad sprain, though. Likewise, being able to bear weight doesn't mean you haven't got a fracture.
Stress fractures tend to cause chronic pain that eases off if you rest. The affected area might be painful to touch, with some swelling but no bruising.
How is a fracture treated?
If you sustain a fracture in your lower leg or foot, don't walk on it, and raise it above your heart level. Apply ice packs for 20 minutes and wrap an elasticated bandage around the injury – but not so tight it cuts off your circulation.
These measures help protect the injury and reduce swelling. You need to have an X-ray, so Dr. McConn can see the fracture in detail, and pain medication and anti-inflammatories to keep you comfortable.
The type of fracture repair you need depends on where the break is and the type of break. If the bones are still in place, a splint or cast that immobilizes your leg allows your body to heal the injury.
More serious fractures might require surgery to repair the bones. You might also need reinforcement with pins or screws to repair badly fractured bones. Dr. McConn has specialist expertise in performing complex fracture repairs as well as using minimally invasive fracture repairs.
Call Tim McConn, DPM, today to find out more about fracture care or book an appointment online.
