{"id":11742,"date":"2019-09-01T11:25:19","date_gmt":"2019-09-01T11:25:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=11742"},"modified":"2021-04-27T19:57:31","modified_gmt":"2021-04-27T19:57:31","slug":"14-known-symptoms-of-a-broken-foot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-known-symptoms-of-a-broken-foot\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Known Symptoms of A Broken Foot"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The average emergency room sees thousands of breaks and fractures per year, and a broken or fractured foot is one of the most common types of emergency room injuries there are. A broken foot is usually sustained after some kind of sudden or traumatic injury to the foot from which the force is sufficient to fracture or break a bone \u2013 although sometimes fractures can also happen due to minor traumatic events to the bone that has been weakened by a range of different possible disorders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have a broken foot, then common symptoms are likely to include the feeling of dislocated bones within the foot itself, associated swelling around the foot or ankle together with bruising and pain, usually worse than if it were a sprain instead of a break. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are 8 known symptoms of a broken foot that you should know about and that means you should make a trip to the emergency room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. The Feeling of Dislocated Bones<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The feeling of out of place or dislocated <\/a>bones in the foot can be one of the first signs or clues that it\u2019s a break instead of a sprain; these bones might cause associated pain and sometimes the feeling of bones grinding together as a result of the moving fracture. Sometimes the actual damage in the case of a broken foot can be hidden by the swelling from the original injury and only be more apparent later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because of the potential for damaging the fracture further or trapping blood vessels or nerves as a result of moving bones and swelling, it\u2019s vital to keep a recent fracture or break as still as possible until medical attention can be reached to establish the extent of the injury \u2013 and doing anything else like trying to move the foot can only lead to more severe damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Swelling Around the Ankle<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Swelling <\/a>and extreme pain are usually one of the first symptoms which can be associated with a broken foot, but also one of the first symptoms that you can experience if you have a sprained joint instead; this can make it hard to tell the difference between the two, although as a general rule the swelling and pain is considered to be worse in the case of a break \u2013 and swelling takes considerably longer to subside in the case of a break if it goes down at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have recently injured your foot and any swelling or bruising around the foot or ankle doesn\u2019t go down within a few hours (or you notice any changes in the way it feels), the safest course of action is to see your doctor in order to establish what\u2019s been injured, how it was hurt and what can be done to ensure it heals right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Associated Bruising<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bruising <\/a>is common in cases of a broken foot, and will usually be located close to the site of the fracture, although might spread to around the initial fracture site too. It can also sometimes be seen in the case of sprains, although bruising will stick around longer in the case of a break \u2013 and likely be darker and hard to touch. If you experience any bruising, swelling, or pain after a recent foot injury together with any of the other symptoms mentioned on this list, see your doctor for x-rays to establish the extent of your injury.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Applying ice can sometimes help the pain, swelling, and added bruising to subside \u2013 but it is asymptomatic treatment, and it\u2019s not a replacement for a trip to the emergency room. If bruising gets any worse, it can indicate bleeding under the surface and an increased clotting risk \u2013 re-visit your doctor if this is the case. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Inability to Place Pressure on the Foot<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have a broken foot, one of the first things that you\u2019ll notice as a symptom is the inability to place any pressure on the foot; while the foot might still be able to bend and move slightly, movement is likely to be restricted and extremely painful \u2013 and in most cases, a broken foot can\u2019t and shouldn\u2019t be taking any additional weight<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Immediately after the injury, it\u2019s vital to keep the foot as still as possible and to restrict movement until the injury can be x-rayed and set in place. This can ensure a much faster, more effective healing process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the healing process, a splint or cast normally helps to keep the injury in place \u2013 and for mobility, either crutches or a wheelchair is used for the six to eight-week healing process after such an injury has been sustained to reduce the risk of further injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Extreme Pain<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pain is one of the first symptoms that you are likely to experience with any kind of injury and very likely to experience if you have a broken foot; the pain is usually worse when the injury happens, although there can be more associated pain and discomfort <\/a>with any attempt to move the ankle or foot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are experiencing extreme pain that can be tied to recent trauma to the foot, then your first step should be to keep the injury as still as possible and visit the emergency room \u2013 if the injury is placed in a cast, it has a much better chance of healing naturally and setting in the right place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When reporting to your doctor, describe the pain as best you can \u2013 is it throbbing or pulsating or stabbing instead? These are important things for your doctor to know when making an accurate diagnosis of your condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Impaired Toe Movement<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a very common misconception that you can\u2019t move a broken limb, but nothing could be further from the truth \u2013 and there are many times where fractures and breaks are missed just because people mistake them for sprains<\/a> and don\u2019t see a doctor in time. If you suspect that you have a broken foot, you are likely to experience some or all of the symptoms on this list \u2013 and you might also experience an impaired movement of the toe together with this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many different ways in which a foot can break, fracture, or snap. Where the bruising and pain are most located is likely to be the fracture site, although x-rays are necessary in order to establish the extent of the injury \u2013 and impaired toe movement might not be a symptom in all of these cases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice any symptoms other than the ones on this list, report them to your doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Sensitivity to Touch<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bruising, pain, and swelling are the first symptoms that most people will experience if they have a broken foot; sensitivity <\/a>to touch can also be one of the most common symptoms experienced, located to the site of the fracture and around it. If you notice that your pain threshold means touching the foot is a near-impossible task and you experience some of the other symptoms that have been mentioned on this list then it\u2019s likely that you have a broken foot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sensitivity to touch means that you are likely to be unable to place any pressure on the foot, which can signal a break or fracture instead of a sprain, and always means that you should keep the injury as still as possible and seek medical attention to avoid the risk of having the fracture set in the wrong place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid wearing shoes for the duration of the healing process, and consult with your doctor regularly during the next eight weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Grinding in the Foot<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are a thousand different ways in which a broken foot can happen, and sometimes grinding of the foot together with the associated pain can be a sign that something is broken and likely moving around in the foot. Together with tenderness<\/a>, grinding is likely to be felt in the foot where a bone has fractured or broken completely \u2013 and there is likely to be bruising and swelling around the area where the bone is broken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grinding is a very serious symptom and can mean that you are at risk for injuring yourself further, or for developing blood clots which are potentially fatal. Should this be one of your symptoms, see your doctor as soon as possible for x-rays to establish just how bad the injury is and what can be done to fix in \u2013 which in some cases will require surgery together with a considerably longer healing time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Limited Range of Motion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the pain and inflammation <\/a>symptoms associated with the condition, one of the clear indications of a broken foot is a limitation on the range of motion in the affected individual. The patient may find that they are unable to place any weight on the affected foot, and any movement of the ankle or the toes causes extreme pain.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Broken bones cause a significant amount of pain; any adjacent joints, bones, or ligaments to the affected area will also heighten pain symptoms. Patients should avoid placing any weight on the affected foot And seek medical treatment as fast as possible. Doctors will use x-rays to determine the extent of the damage. If the brake is severe, then the doctor may require the patient to wear a cast for 6 to 8 weeks while their bones heal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In most cases, a broken foot won’t present a life-threatening situation with the patient. However, if the patient does not seek treatment, it may result in a malformation of the bones as they heal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. When to See a Doctor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When the affected individual experiences the injury that leads to the break in the joint or bone in the foot, they may not seek medical assistance right away. Most people will return home and use over-the-counter medications <\/a>or natural remedies to reduce the swelling and pain in the foot.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if after a few days, the patient does not see any reduction in the pain and swelling in their foot, they should seek medical care. Patients can visit their doctors’ offices for a diagnosis. In most cases, the majority of people will go to the emergency room, especially if the broken foot occurs in a severe accident, such as a car crash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you do decide to take care of your broken foot at home for the first few days to see if it is only maybe a sprain, make sure you see a medical professional if there is no improvement after three to five days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the initial three to five days from the date of injury, pain is a sign that there is no healing going on, and you may have a severe underlying injury. Visit your doctor; they’ll send you for an x-ray of your foot to determine the extent of the damage.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Prevention<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With the proper preventative care, it’s possible to avoid placing yourself in a position where you may experience a broken foot. Breaking the joints <\/a>and bones in your feet presents a severe injury that limits your mobility and your quality of life. Fortunately, there are a few essential sports safety tips you can use to prevent placing yourself in a position where you may sustain this injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wear the proper footwear \u2013 make sure that you use the correct footwear for the chosen activity. If you’re running, use shoes that suit the arch of your foot. If you’re hiking, make sure that you select boots that provide support to both your feet and ankles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Replace your shoes at regular periods \u2013 All running shoes and athletic shoes have a certain amount of mileage they can withstand before they need replacement. In most cases, sneakers need replacing every 300 to 400 miles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supplement with calcium \u2013 This nutrient is critical in forming bone density and in the creation of new bone cells. Consume foods that are naturally high in calcium and look to add a calcium supplement to your current diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Risk Factors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As with any other injury, there are a set of risk factors that make some people more predisposed to breaking their feet than others. If you work in any job that involves lifting or moving heavy objects, such as machinery or goods, there’s a risk <\/a>that you may drop them on your feet.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, you have a higher risk of sustaining a broken foot on the job. People that work with using heavy equipment should always ensure that they wear safety shoes on their feet at work. Safety shoes feature a steel toe that prevents severe damage to your toes and the front of your foot should anything substantial fall on them during working hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who train or compete in sports where the feet are essential, such as soccer, football, running, or lacrosse, can end up sustaining foot injuries, such as sprains and breaks. If you compete or train in any contact or fast-paced sports that involve sudden movements, make sure that you support your feet to avoid injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Complications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A broken foot is in a very painful injury. In most cases, it takes around 6 to 8 weeks for the patient to heal. However, the healing process is different for everyone, and it may not always result in optimal healing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, seniors will have a harder time healing from a broken foot then teenagers. As we age, our protein synthesis declines, and our ability to heal broken bones diminishes. What might take a teenager 6 to 8 weeks to heal, may take a senior three to four months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some individuals and seniors may experience the onset of arthritis <\/a>in the joint or the bones after healing. If your foot starts to feel sore after a long walk, speak to your doctor. Your doctor will take an x-ray of your joints to determine if arthritis is present.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other complications of a broken foot include an infection of the joint or bone, as well as nerve or blood vessel damage around the affected area. These complications can be severe and require immediate medical assistance to prevent the spread of infection or the possible amputation of a limb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Treatment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Treatment for a broken foot includes visiting an emergency room or a doctor. If you’re involved in a car accident or severe injury where you need immediate medical assistance, you will most likely end up in the emergency room. In the emergency room, the medical team will take x-rays<\/a> of the affected limbs, looking for signs of broken bones or damaged joints.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people might experience a mild fracture of the foot. As a result, they end up going home to see if the swelling subsides. If the swelling and pain persist for longer than three or five days, then it’s a clear sign that it’s a broken bone or another severe underlying injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These individuals may go to the doctor after a few days to get a diagnosis of their condition. The doctor will likely send them to the hospital for x-rays and evaluation of the foot. While the patient is at the hospital, they will get a cast placed onto their foot to prevent movement of the ankle joint. The patient will need to remain in the cast for 6 to 8 weeks, depending on the extent of the injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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