How long fracture foot to heal

However, someone should see a doctor for any injury that prevents walking or if the pain and swelling persist or get worse. They are also more likely to occur in children than adults because of the differences in bone structure. A broken foot can result from simply stumbling, tripping, or kicking something. Twisting the foot or ankle awkwardly by falling or being hit by a heavy object can also break a bone.

Stress fractures are a particular risk in athletes or anyone who partakes in high-impact sports, such as football, basketball, running, or dancing. These are tiny, sometimes microscopic, cracks that can enlarge over time. They tend to be caused by repetitive activities or by sudden increases in exercise intensity.

A person should follow the RICE principle when dealing with a suspected broken foot or toe. The acronym stands for:. This involves placing a piece of cotton wool or gauze between the two toes, then securing them together with surgical tape. Again, bandaging should not be too tight. Over-the-counter painkillers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can be taken to help relieve pain.

If walking on a broken foot or toe becomes necessary, the individual should wear a wide, sturdy shoe that does not place pressure on the injured area. The doctor will ask questions about the injury and feel and manipulate the affected foot.

They may order an X-ray to confirm or further assess a possible break. A suspected stress fracture may require an MRI or ultrasound , as these tiny fractures can be difficult to detect on an X-ray. In some instances, other imaging techniques may be ordered. Anti-inflammatory drugs, including ibuprofen or naproxen, can be used to reduce pain and swelling.

If a bone is out of place, then the doctor may need to manipulate it physically back into the correct alignment. This is called reduction. A local anesthetic will usually be administered before the start of a reduction procedure.

Any wounds will also need to be cleaned and treated. If the foot is deformed or the bones are unstable, surgery may be required to insert metal pins, plates, or screws. These are used to hold the bones in place until they heal. This method is known as internal fixation. To protect the foot while it heals, a cast may be fitted, or a protective boot is sometimes provided. These devices protect and immobilize the injured foot while helping to keep weight off it.

Crutches may also be provided to assist walking. We consistently combine highly advanced surgical specialties that ensure the best possible outcome for more serious fractures and wounds of the foot and ankle and prevent limb amputation for those at risk. Some of the surgical treatments for foot and ankle fractures that we often perform are fixation surgery, non-union surgical repair and reduction surgery. If the fracture in your foot or ankle is displaced, or has caused misalignment of the bones, your orthopaedic surgeon will need to put the bones back into the correct position using specialized hardware such as plates, screws or pins.

If necessary, we will perform bone grafting and may need to reconstruct soft tissues such as ligaments and tendons. A non-union is a broken bone that did not heal properly.

Treatment may entail surgery to remove an infection if present, to better stabilize the fracture, or to stimulate bone growth with a bone graft. Our surgeons perform complex non-union surgical repair with vascularized bone grafting.

Vascularized bone grafts allow living bone tissue to be transplanted to replace bone tissue that is damaged. Speak with your doctor about what recovery may mean for you.

Healing takes time, and even after the pain wears off it is important to take it easy. Your doctor will likely advise you to go slowly when resuming normal activity. Physical therapy may be necessary to rebuild strength in healing bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons. Your doctor will create an individualized recovery plan to ensure you receive the best possible outcome and quickest recovery. Your injury is healed. You may have mild symptoms for months. You can begin to resume normal, day-to-day activities but be guided by any pain you experience.

X Heavy tasks or long walks may still cause some discomfort and swelling. Cold packs: A cold pack ice pack or frozen peas wrapped in a damp towel can provide short term pain relief.

Apply this to the sore area for up to 15 minutes, every few hours ensuring the ice is never in direct contact with the skin. Rest and Elevation: Try to rest the foot for the first hours to allow the early stage of healing to begin.

Raise your ankle above the level of your hips to reduce swelling. You can use pillows or a stool to keep your foot up. Early movement and exercise: Early movement of the ankle and foot is important to promote circulation and reduce the risk of developing a DVT blood clot.

Follow the exercises below without causing too much pain. This will ensure your ankle and foot do not become too stiff. These exercises will help the healing process. Early weight bearing putting weight through your injured foot helps increase the speed of healing. Try to walk as normally as possible as this will help with your recovery.

Medical evidence suggests that smoking prolongs fracture healing time. In extreme cases it can stop healing altogether. It is important that you consider this information with relation to your recent injury.

Stopping smoking during the healing phase of your fracture will help ensure optimal recovery from this injury. Diabetic patients: If you are diabetic please contact us to discuss your boot.

This is particularly important if you have problems with your skin.