What does a fracture feel like in the foot?

Tenderness. Change in the typical shape of the foot, called deformity. Trouble or pain with walking or putting weight on the foot . Bone sticking through the skin, called an open fracture.

What does walking on a fracture feel like?

Because stress fractures are more common in your lower legs and feet, the pain is usually worse when you're walking or standing with weight on your affected bone. You'll probably feel pain that's focused (localized) in one spot near the fracture .

What does a fractured foot look like?

If there is no visible displacement of the bone or a clear wound, a person may not be able to tell if a bone has broken. Also, some minor cracks or breaks may not result in much pain. Deformity of a toe or an area of the foot, such as an unusual bulge , strongly indicates a break.

Can you still walk on a fractured foot?

Can you walk on a broken foot? For most fractures, you'll need to stay off your foot for a certain amount of time to allow the broken bone to heal . Depending on your injury, this could be for up to eight weeks or more.

What does a fractured ankle feel like?

If you have a broken ankle, you may experience some of the following signs and symptoms: Immediate, throbbing pain . Swelling. Bruising.

What does a fracture feel like to touch?

there may be swelling, bruising or tenderness around the injured area. you may feel pain when you put weight on the injury, touch it, press it, or move it . the injured part may look deformed – in severe breaks, the broken bone may poke through the skin.

Can you fracture your foot and not know it?

Sometimes a broken bone is impossible to ignore, especially when it causes a significant deformity. However, broken bones in the foot can be hard to detect with the naked eye, especially when you have a stress fracture .

How to tell if a foot bone is fractured or bruised?

If your foot is bruised, you should still be able to move it, although it may be slightly painful . However, if you have a fracture in your foot, you may not be able to move the foot at all, or it may cause extreme pain to do so.

Can you wiggle your toes with a broken foot?

This is a common myth that has circulated. Some people think that, if your ankle is broken, you will not be able to wiggle your toes. While this can sometimes be true, oftentimes, you may have a fractured ankle but can still wiggle your toes .

Do you need a boot for a fractured foot?

Most often, a cast holds the foot in place. Minor foot fractures may need only a brace you can take off, or a boot or shoe with a stiff sole . A broken toe can be taped to the next toe, with a piece of gauze between them, to keep the broken toe still.

What not to do with a fractured foot?

Do not put any weight on the injured foot . If you were given crutches, use them as directed. Put ice or a cold pack on your foot for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Try to do this every 1 to 2 hours for the next 3 days (when you are awake) or until the swelling goes down.

How do you tell if your foot is broken fractured or sprained?

If you have a sprain, you're more likely to hear a popping sound. If you have a fracture, then you're more likely to hear a cracking sound . Keep in mind that not all sprains or fractures make sounds when they happen. You may need to see a doctor and get an X-ray to determine if your foot is broken or sprained.

Can you walk on a hairline fracture?

Should you walk on a hairline ankle fracture? No . Unfortunately, many people go about their normal routines while having hairline ankle fractures because they can't feel the injury. A small fracture might not hurt at first, or maybe the pain isn't enough to prompt you to see a doctor right away.

What Does a Foot Fracture Feel Like? — Precision Foot and Ankle Centers (2024)

Foot injuries can range from very mild to very serious – some even resulting in long-term limited mobility. It’s not always easy to tell if your foot injury is a serious one, or one that just needs a bit of rest. A foot fracture is one of the worst foot injuries you can sustain, especially since they can lead to worse injuries if left untreated. That’s why it’s important to know how to spot a foot fracture versus a less serious injury. If you have an active lifestyle, a foot fracture is always a possibility, but it can also occur from a random accident. We put together all the things you need to identify the signs of a stress fracture in your foot.

What causes stress fractures in feet?

The scariest part of stress fractures is that they can often occur seemingly without warning. Even more so for foot stress fractures since they are used – and stressed – so frequently.

Stress fractures are often caused by overuse. Gradual wear and tear on your foot from repeated activities or repetitive force is a huge factor in stress fractures. Simply walking is not enough to cause a stress fracture, but running, jumping, dancing, or any other strenuous activity can increase the stress on your foot. Athletes are at the highest risk as are people with bone conditions such as osteoporosis.

A stress fracture can occur even if you don’t feel pain leading up to it. Sometimes even when the fracture does occur, the pain can seem mild. Over time though, the pain gets worse and worse if left untreated. So how do you identify if what you’re dealing with is a stress fracture?

How do I identify a stress fracture?

Stress fractures most commonly occur along the metatarsal bones – the long, skinny bones between your toes and ankle. If you have pain in this area, it could be a sign of a stress-fractured foot. Not all foot pain in that area is a stress fracture, of course. That’s why differentiating between what is causing the pain is important.

Here’s some signs that could point to a stress fracture:

The pain worsens during physical activity and is better during downtime
Increased pain over time
Bruising or swelling along the foot or ankle

A podiatrist can help you identify and treat a stress fracture. If you’re dealing with any foot pain, you should get in touch with them and make an appointment as quick as possible.

How is a stress fracture treated?

As with many issues, treatment is easier if you catch it early. Stress fractures are typically small, hairline breaks. This means that – if caught early enough – they can heal on their own and recover with proper rest.

The first step is a proper diagnosis, which can be done by a podiatrist who will x-ray your foot. If there is a fracture, your foot doctor will most likely prescribe the RICE method: rest, ice, compression, and elevation. With proper care and time, your stress fracture should heal on its own.

Have you sustained a foot injury or have other podiatric issues? Don’t wait to schedule an appointment with one of our board-certified podiatrists, Dr. Eric Feit, Dr. Alona Kashanian, and Dr. Roohbakhsh Maher, at Precision Foot and Ankle Centers. Contact any of our locations in Los Angeles, Torrance, and San Pedro to set up an appointment today!

What Does a Foot Fracture Feel Like? — Precision Foot and Ankle Centers (2024)

FAQs

What Does a Foot Fracture Feel Like? — Precision Foot and Ankle Centers? ›

Do you need a boot for a fractured foot? ›