Foot & Ankle Fractures
A fracture simply means a “broken bone”. Fractures can have a significant impact on
the patient who suffers it. Here at AFAS we are here for you every step throughout your
healing journey.
Fractures can have different levels of complexity anywhere from simple to complicated.
Fractures can either be displaced or nondisplaced. Displacement means the bone has
shifted and is no longer in good alignment. An example of a simple fracture is a bone
that suffers a crack without any displacement, these are often treated with
immobilization such as a boot or cast. Other fractures are more complicated and require
surgery in order to realign or reset the bone back to its appropriate alignment.
Fractures typically happen in the setting of accidents or injuries such as rolling your
ankle, trip & falls, sports injuries, and car accidents. Some fractures happen over time
such as “stress fractures” due to repetitive stress or overuse. The most common stress
fracture in the foot is known as a metatarsal stress fracture, typically seen in avid
walkers or hikers and dancers.
Signs of a fracture are: pain, unable to take a few steps or bear weight, swelling, and
bruising.
Here at AFAS we treat any and all type of foot and ankle fractures. These include toe
fractures, metatarsal fractures, tarsal fractures, Lisfranc’s fractures, calcaneal fractures,
talar fractures, and ankle fractures.
When you come into our office your doctor will obtain x-rays and do a thorough
examination. Your doctor will inform you if they believe the type of fracture requires
surgery or not. You will be placed in a splint, boot, or cast depending on severity of
fracture.
Ankle fractures are more severe and often require surgical management. These are
typically a result of sports injuries in basketball, soccer, pickleball but can also be seen
in trip & falls or slipping on black ice.
During your surgery, your surgeon will make an incision and expose the broken bone,
realign it, and hold it with a combination of screws and plates. Recovery typically takes
6-8 weeks and you may have to stay off your foot for one or two months, depending on
the type of fracture and complexity. Physical therapy is often implemented during your
recovery. Athletes on average have a Return to Sports of 4-6 months.