Toe bones can be fractured from any sort of trauma, such as stubbing your toes or dropping something heavy on your toes. In the past you may have heard people say that “there’s nothing you can do about a broken toe”, but this is not always the case. If not treated properly, a broken toe can cause long-term pain, swelling and arthritis. Continue reading
A stress fracture is a crack in a bone that is caused by excessive or abnormal stress. If left untreated, this initial crack can progress and eventually fracture all the way through the bone.
A stress fracture can occur in any bone, but is commonly seen in the metatarsal bones in the fore foot, particularly the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal bones.
A “Jones fracture” is the term used for a fracture which occurs about 1.5cm from the base of the 5th metatarsal. Continue reading
The navicular bone sits on the inside of the foot between the ankle and the midfoot. A stress fracture of the navicular bone usually causes pain in the midfoot that is worse during activity. Continue reading
A Lisfranc fracture is a fracture and a dislocation of the joints in the middle of the foot. Usually this type of fracture will require surgical intervention to help prevent long-term arthritis of the midfoot.
Every fracture injury should be evaluated to ensure appropriate treatment. Tests such as an x-ray, bone scan or MRI may be required in order to assess the extent of the fracture.
Treatment of fractures in the foot and ankle usually involve immobilisation for several weeks to assist with healing. However, the specific treatment program recommended will depend on the nature and severity of the fracture injury.
The calcaneus is the heel bone. Heel bone fractures can be due to daily activities/ stress on the bone or from trauma to the bone such as falling from a ladder. Continue reading
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