Introduction:
Our feet are very prone to injuries and fractures. The reason is obvious: we use our feet to walk, run, jump, sprint, etc., all day, every day. There are 26 bones in our feet, and they can either be injured or be completely or partially broken in case of an extreme or traumatic injury. But it is a very important question to ask: How do you know if your foot is broken?
On the surface, it seems pretty obvious that after an injury, you break or fracture your foot, but what if it is just a sprain? And even if it is a fracture, what kind of fracture is it? Knowing the difference and the right signs of a broken foot is key to proper diagnosis and treatment. So let’s get into all the information about foot injuries so that you get the answer to your burning question.
Foot Sprains:
It is very common to get your foot fractured, and it is even more common to suffer from a foot sprain. A foot sprain is a soft tissue injury. This means that when the ligaments surrounding the bone joints in the foot are stretched too much or torn, then the result is a foot sprain. You can commonly sprain your foot by falling or experiencing a sports injury, etc.
Symptoms Indicating a Foot Sprain:
- Bruising
- Pain
- Trouble moving the affected or injured area
- Swelling
- Sensation around or a popping sound in the joint
Treatment for Foot Sprains:
Foot sprains are rather easy to treat. With the right care, they can heal quickly. In case of a mild sprain, you just need to take care of yourself the right way, and the sprain will quickly be treated. Using ice, giving your foot rest, using anti-inflammatories, etc., will significantly help in healing a sprain. But this does not mean you do not need to get your foot checked by a doctor at all.
In case self-care is not working and you still have pain and swelling in your foot, you should definitely see a doctor. Even though it is rare but sometimes sprains need surgery to properly heal. So if you experience pain for a long time, you must not ignore it.
Foot Fractures or Broken Foot:
A fracture is a very serious foot injury. In case of a fracture, one or more bones of your foot are broken. It takes proper medical treatment provided by a healthcare professional to treat and heal fractured bones. A foot fracture is a much more painful situation. You can fracture your foot as a result of some trauma, like a severe fall or a car accident etc.
Symptoms of a Foot Fracture:
- Immediate pain around the injury
- Swelling and bruising
- Deformity of the limb
- Crepitus, which is a crunching sound you hear when the edges of the broken bones rub together
- Inability to put weight on the injury
Types of Foot Fractures:
If you can answer my question, how do you know if your foot is broken? Then get ready for a new question. How do you know what type of fracture it is? There are different types of fractures. These depend on the severity of the damage done to the bones. It is important for you to know the difference between different types of fractures so that you know how to respond accordingly in case of a fracture. Common fracture types include:
- Hairline fracture – a thin and partial fracture of the bone
- Open fracture – broken bone fragments stick out through the skin
- Comminuted fracture – bones shatter into a number of pieces
- Stress fracture – a small fracture caused by repeated stress like such as distance running
- Greenstick fracture – the bone gets partly broken on one side, while the rest of it can still bend. This type is very common in kids
- Stable fracture – when the broken bones’ edges neatly line up
How Do You Know If Your Foot Is Broken?
In case you were unfortunate enough that the broken bone of your foot is poking out through your skin, you will know straight away that you have a fracture. But hopefully, if that is not the case, then you will need to get an X-ray done to determine if your foot is broken.
Usually, getting an X-ray is enough, but your physician might also suggest that you get an MRI or CAT scan. These scans are helpful in determining not only the severity of the fractured bone but also if there were any other damages too, like tendons, ligaments, and muscles.
When it’s good to see a Doctor:
It is recommended to see a doctor for your fracture if you are experiencing extreme symptoms. For example, if the deformity is so severe that your foot seems to have lost its shape significantly, then you should immediately see a doctor. If you opt for self-care options, but you feel like the swelling and pain are not decreasing at all, then it is best to go to a doctor. In case the pain and swelling keep increasing, then it is obvious that this is something serious and must be taken to a healthcare professional immediately.
One key point to keep in mind is that sometimes you can even walk when you have a fracture, so just because you are able to put weight on your foot does not mean you don’t need to see a doctor. How Do You Know If Your Foot Is Broken? It is always safe to get your foot checked by a professional for a correct diagnosis and treatment.
Treatment of a Broken Foot:
Before the doctor decides which treatment option you should receive for your broken foot, they have to check things like the type of fracture, which bones were broken, and the severity of the fracture. The doctor will treat the fracture by making you wear a cast or splint for the broken bones to heal. You can also wear specially designed shoes to protect your foot from any more injuries while the bones heal.
The doctor will assess your mobility situation and might suggest that you use crutches, a wheelchair, or a walker. There are some other foot fracture treatment options as well, like:
- Physical therapy
- Fracture reduction
- Buddy taping
- Surgery
If you have experienced a very severe kind of fracture, then you will need to go under a surgical process. The doctor might use one of the following treatment options:
- Traction
- Open fixation with screws and plates
- External fixation
- Percutaneous fixation
How Many Days Does It Take To Heal A Broken Foot?
The answer to this question depends on a lot of factors, especially the severity of the fracture and the bones that were broken. On average, it takes from four to six weeks for a foot fracture to heal completely. But in some cases, it might take up to 10 to 12 weeks for a foot fracture to heal.
In fact, for people with more weight-bearing demands like athletes, it can even take as much as six months for a fracture to properly heal before weight can be put on the affected bones again. Your healthcare provider will be able to guide you better about your foot fracture treatment and recovery time, depending on your situation.
Visit The ER For A Severe Broken Foot Right Now:
Normally, a broken foot can be taken care of with self-care until you wait for professional help from a doctor. But when to go to ER for foot injury? If the pain is unbearable and your foot has lost structure, then it is an extreme fracture, and you should not wait around; instead, rush to the ER straight away.
Conclusion:
If you injure your foot, you should know how to tell if your foot is broken or just bruised. There are some common foot fracture symptoms that you should look for, like swelling, a cracking sound when moving the foot, being unable to put pressure on the injured area of the foot, etc. If your foot fracture is severe, you should go to the doctor ASAP, and they will recommend the right treatment according to your fracture diagnosis to heal your broken bones.
FAQs:
Q1. What is the difference between a broken vs sprained foot?
If you have broken soft tissue in your foot, then it is a foot sprain, but if you have broken one or more bones in the foot, then it means you have a broken foot
Q2. Can a fractured foot only be treated through surgery?
In case of mild foot fractures, usually there is no need for surgical intervention; the doctor will treat your fracture using a cast or crutches, depending on the situation
Q3. How long does it take for a fractured foot to heal?
On average, for mild foot fractures, it takes four to six weeks for healing
Q4. Is it necessary to get an MRI or CAT scan for your broken foot?
These scans are helpful as they determine if any surrounding muscles, ligaments, or tissues have also suffered damage or not
Q5. How do I treat a broken foot at home?
It is always recommended to get professional help to treat your fractured foot, but while you wait for your doctor’s visit, in case of a mild case, you can do things like using ice, anti-inflammatories, and simply resting to avoid any further damage and accelerate healing
