Foot Care—A Step Above
Fractures of the foot, ranging from small cracks to complete breaks, are among the most common injuries identified and treated by podiatrists. Depending on the severity of your foot injury, it is recommended you see a podiatrist or foot specialist.
An expert can assess if the bone is fractured and accurately identify the extent of the fracture to develop a specific treatment plan and guarantee that your bones heal properly. Arbor - Ypsi Foot & Ankle Centers specializes in identifying and treating foot fractures. No matter your lifestyle or budget, our foot doctors in Washtenaw County have the knowledge and skills to provide you with the highest quality care. Visit our location in Ann Arbor for Foot Fracture Care now to meet your podiatrist.
Expert Care in Ann Arbor
Foot fractures vary in severity, and determining the extent of the damage is vital for effective treatment. The x-ray is the gold standard for evaluating foot fractures because it allows the podiatrist to see which bones are fractured and the extent of the injury. If your foot doctor suspects a fracture but cannot confirm it with an x-ray, they may corroborate the diagnosis with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Understanding Your Injury
Stress fractures are the less serious of the two. They are small cracks in the bone. Stress fractures differ from acute fractures because they are usually caused by wear and tear or a lack of calcium. Pain and swelling are signs of stress fractures. Children running track, gymnastics, or dancing often get stress fractures. Since these are signs of many different foot injuries, getting a correct diagnosis is essential. If you don't let the injury heal, the fracture could turn into a complete break.
The more severe type of acute fracture is a clean break in one of the 26 bones that connect the ankle to the toes. An acute fracture is a break in a bone that happens quickly and hurts a lot. It is usually caused by a sudden blow or twisting motion in the foot.
Fractures that are not dislocated or non-displaced can heal on their own if the foot is immobilized. This pertains to the metatarsal and great toe fractures. If you feel you have a non-displaced fracture, you must be cautious until you receive a medical diagnosis. Rest and avoiding weight bearing on the injured foot are essential for rehabilitation. The use of ice helps reduce inflammation. Ice should be applied to the injury for 20 minutes at a time, multiple times each day. After applying ice to the injury, a compression bandage should be used to relieve swelling and immobilize the foot.
If it is determined that you have a Foot fracture, your doctor will provide you with specific recovery recommendations. You may be required to wear hard shoes while recovering. Fractures of the toe also mend without surgery with a splint, which involves taping the toe to the adjacent toe for greater support and stability. Additionally, a particular sort of boot will be required to protect the toe while it heals. During rehabilitation, your muscles may stiffen, making physical therapy essential for restoring strength and mobility.
When bones break and move away from each other, this is called a "displaced fracture." In this case, the doctor will need to perform reduction surgery to restore the broken bones. The pieces of bone are moved by the doctor so that the bone can heal properly. In internal fixation surgery, if the bone breaks into more than one piece or if it breaks near a joint, the doctor may use plates and screws to hold the pieces together. If the break is bad (because of an accident), the doctor can do a bone graft and fix the fractures. After surgery, you will probably have to wear a cast.
Foot fractures have a chance of not healing in the typical amount of time. We refer to these as non-union fractures. Patients who do not receive the proper fracture care, do not obtain adequate stabilization, or acquire an infection, have a higher chance of non-union fractures. To aid in the healing of the fracture, doctors may utilize a bone graft.
Personalized Treatment
Our podiatrists at Arbor - Ypsi Foot & Ankle Centers offer specialized Foot Fracture Care & Treatment.
We can treat non-displaced, displaced, non-union, stress, and acute fractures and swiftly deal with complications that may emerge after recovery because of our advanced training and years of expertise. We will explain the recovery process to you and address any concerns you may have, from therapy through rehabilitation. Call our foot and ankle center for your Ann Arbor Foot Fracture Care & Treatment to schedule a consultation with one of our doctors.
Your Path to Recovery
Fractures of the foot, ranging from small cracks to complete breaks, are among the most common injuries identified and treated by our doctors.
Depending on the severity of your foot injury, it is recommended you see a podiatrist or foot specialist. An expert can assess if the bone is fractured and accurately identify the extent of the fracture to develop a specific treatment plan to help your bones heal properly. Arbor - Ypsi Foot & Ankle Centers specializes in identifying and treating foot fractures. For some of the best Foot Fracture Care Ann Arbor has to offer, schedule your consultation today.
A stress fracture causes pain and swelling, especially after a lot of physical activity. For example, sharp pain in the foot when hitting your foot on something or twisting motion is a sign of an acute fracture.
Your foot fracture may require surgery if the bone is misaligned. If allowed to heal on its own, your bone may become crooked and cause future complications. The purpose of surgery is to straighten your bone so that it can recover properly.
Get relief today at Arbor - Ypsi Foot & Ankle Centers
At Arbor - Ypsi Foot & Ankle Centers in Ann Arbor, Michigan, we identify your unique foot and ankle needs and develop a highly effective and individualized treatment plan to resolve them. Our experts will work relentlessly to make you feel better and put your best foot forward.