Foot and ankle fractures are among the most common broken bones today. At Hudson Valley Foot Associates, with offices in Kingston, New Windsor, Wappingers Falls, Hudson, and West Coxsackie, New York, the group of exemplary board-certified foot and ankle surgeons provides the highest standard of fracture care in the Hudson Valley. Call the nearest office or book your appointment through the online scheduler today.
Foot and ankle fractures are broken bones in either the feet or ankles. The most commonly broken bone in the foot is the fifth metatarsal, the long midfoot bone attached to your little toe.
The most commonly fractured ankle bone is the lateral malleolus, the knobby part of your outer ankle. However, you can break any bone in your foot or ankle.
Foot and ankle fractures usually cause a collection of issues, including:
Smaller fractures — namely, small cracks called stress fractures — may not cause obvious issues. You may experience discomfort when exercising but relief when you rest. But, just as with other fractures, stress fractures require treatment. Untreated, a stress fracture can worsen to become a more complicated and painful issue.
Many foot and ankle fractures occur because of accidents; for example, many people sustain injuries during falls or sports or auto accidents.
While fractures may seem sudden, in some cases, they actually develop slowly over a long time. Repetitive strain, foot deformities, osteoporosis (bone thinning), and wearing improper footwear are a few examples of things that can set the stage for bone fractures.
Treatment may include conservative or surgical care. Some fractures may only need physical manipulation to realign the bone and a period of activity rest. You’ll typically wear a brace or splint as you heal to keep the bone aligned and relieve pressure.
More complicated fractures often require surgery. In many cases, the skilled surgeons at Hudson Valley Foot Associates can use minimally invasive approaches for fractures. During surgery, your board-certified podiatric surgeon can realign the displaced bones and then secure them using special medical hardware. After surgery, you’ll need to wear a cast, brace, or splint as your body heals.
Many people use anti-inflammatory oral medication to manage pain and swelling as they recover from foot and ankle fractures, but you may need stronger prescription medication for a short time immediately after fracturing the bone.
Hudson Valley Foot Associates uses the most conservative yet effective strategies possible to help you recover and return to your routine. Call the office nearest to you or click on the provided link for fracture care now.