November 10, 2022
Your plantar plate plays a critical part in the anatomy and makeup of our feet. The plantar connects your feet with the joints in your toes.
Given the constant wear and tear of your feet, the joints and muscles can often become overworked or strained. The plantar plate is particularly susceptible to injury because of its location on the foot. This also makes it especially vulnerable to several other foot conditions. For example, having bunions or a hammer toe may increase the risk of a plantar plate tear.
But worry not. In this article, learn more about the plantar plate as a body part, plantar plate tear symptoms, causes, and treatment methods for the foot condition.
First, let's explore the physiology of the plantar plate itself.
What's your plantar plate?
The plantar plate is rigid fibrocartilage (a dense, whitish tissue with a distinct fibrous texture) which connects the phalanges to the metatarsal head. In other words, the plantar plate joins the toes (phalanx bones) with the forefoot (metatarsal bones). As the mediator, the plantar plate stabilizes the toes and prevents them from shifting side-to-side or overextending.
Next, let's look at the why of plantar plate tears.
Plantar plate tear: Causes
Overloading the metatarsophalangeal (MPJ) joint is the most common cause of plantar plate issues. Overloading the MPJ leads to strains and tears. The result? Pain and instability of the plantar plate.
In most cases, plantar plate damage occurs incrementally over time. However, you can acutely injure the plantar plate.
See below for a comprehensive list of plantar plate tear causes:
Bunions: Bunions - a deformity affecting the joint that connects the big toe to the foot - put pressure on the plantar plate by forcing the big toe to push against the 2nd toe.
Biomechanical abnormalities (metatarsal length): If your 2nd metatarsal is longer than your 1st (which it often is), you're at a greater risk of a plantar plate tear at that site. You're at a greater risk of this tear at the site because your 2nd metatarsal bears more weight than the "big" toe (1st metatarsal) when it's longer.
Biomechanical abnormalities (overpronation): When you overpronate, your foot bears much impact when running or walking. Typically, flat feet are a leading contributor to overpronation.
Cortisone injection: Cortisone shots can have the side effect of thinning and weakening the plantar plate ligament.
Specific activities/sports: Sports or movements that put excessive pressure on the toes and ball of the foot increase your chances of developing a plantar plate tear. Be cautious when dancing, running, jumping, or climbing stairs, especially if the balls of the foot are regularly sore or sensitive.
Hammertoes: A hammertoe deformity occurs when the toe's middle joint bends abnormally a toe deformity in which the middle joint in the toe bends abnormally.
In the next section, you'll learn how to recognize plantar plate tears.
Symptoms
Wonder what are the signs of a plantar plate tear? Well, look out for these symptoms commonly associated with plantar plate tears:
Toe alignment changes: The toe changing position, which occurs gradually as the tear increases, usually to the side or upwards
Pain: Discomfort usually stems from the ball of the foot, either as severe pain or a dull ache. If you find you're walking with very little cushioning under your toes, it may be because of a plantar plate tear.
Swelling: You may notice swelling underneath the ball of the foot extending between the start and end of one of the multiple toes.
Plantar plate tear: Diagnosis
You have a few options in terms of diagnosis:
Treat the pain yourself if it's not severe and the discomfort has just begun
X-rays
MRIs
Finally, in the last section, you'll learn more about how to treat plantar plate tears.
Plantar plate tear: Treatment
Pinpointing a plantar plate tear as the source of discomfort can be challenging. The foot is a complex network of muscles, tendons, and bones that are so intertwined that isolating the condition can be difficult. However, it's not a hopeless task.
Several DIY treatment methods exist for mild symptoms, as well as options for severe cases of plantar plate tears.
Visit a chiropodist
Our team of dedicated licensed chiropodists is committed to providing quality care and services for all your foot and ankle needs. They can diagnose, treat and help manage various foot conditions, from callus removal to ingrown toenails to bunions.
RICE (Rest, Icing, Compression, and Elevation)
The RICE method is a universal treatment for many foot conditions, including plantar plate tears. The RICE method, when combined, helps relieve pain, reduces inflammation, keeps swelling at bay, and allows for ample recovery for your muscles, tendons, and in this case, for your plantar plate.
Taping
Taping, the wrapping of a joint for added stability, can help hold your toes in position. Stabilizing the joint with tape can help correct any worsening abnormalities associated with plantar plate tears. It also prevents your toes from moving too far side-to-side, which can help encourage plantar healing and to avoid re-aggravation. A chiropodist can perform splinting, bracing, or taping for you.
Orthotics
Orthotics are a treatment method for the underlying causes of plantar plate tears. Custom foot orthotics are effective for bunions, hammertoes, and flat feet. You can also use shoe inserts with hardened plastic under particular toes for extra support.
NSAIDs
Anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen or Advil can combat pain associated with plantar plate tears.
Surgery
Surgery is a last resort option for plantar tears. There are two standard surgical procedures for plantar tears. The hat-trick procedure helps realign the metatarsal bone, while other surgeries are available for associated conditions like hammertoes, bunions, or other ancillary operations to balance the toe.
October 17, 2022
Everybody has foot pain from time to time, right? Surely it must be normal to experience foot pain that comes and goes at the end of a long day or while walking?
Quite the contrary --- your feet should not hurt at all, and it's a common misconception that foot pain is "normal." If you were free from foot conditions, you wouldn't be experiencing nagging pain that subsides only to flare up later.
Whether it's a pain in the top of the foot, heel pain, or ball of the foot pain, some common issues can interrupt your day by reappearing when you thought you were feeling better. And even though they may not be as severe as conditions that cause constant discomfort and foot pain, you'll be glad you sought treatment in the long run.
Furthermore, many foot issues get worse if you choose to ignore them. So pain that comes and goes now may stick around all day long in the future.
Let's look at what may be causing your foot pain to fade and return.
5 Reasons Why Foot Pain Comes and Goes
Plantar Fasciitis
Metatarsalgia
Morton's Neuroma
Injuries
Tendonitis
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is somewhat notorious among foot conditions. It ranks as one of the top causes of heel and arch pain and targets people with varying lifestyles. Some common risk factors include vigorous activity, obesity, deconditioning, standing on hard surfaces, and the anatomy of your foot (arch shape).
The heel pain stems from the inflammation of the plantar fascia tendon. Extending from the heel to the front of your foot, this is a long and thin ligament located directly under the skin on the bottom of the foot. When the plantar fascia fails to absorb the strain and stress we put on ourselves while walking, plantar fasciitis enters the picture.
Why does the pain come and go?
Typically, plantar fasciitis flares up after a period of rest (since you aren't irritating the inflamed point of the foot while sedentary).
Stabbing heel pain worsens during the first few steps of the day. It can also feel worse if you've been standing on a hard surface for several hours. Of course, it's important to seek treatment even if the pain fades for several intervals during the day; if you don't, it can get much worse and not subside at all.
Metatarsalgia
Do you have pain in the ball of the foot that comes and goes? Metatarsalgia may be the culprit.
Like plantar fasciitis, inflammation of the metatarsal area (the area between the toes and arch) causes metatarsalgia. Not only is this condition difficult to pronounce, but it can make walking downright unbearable. The same risk factors of plantar fasciitis apply, in addition to wearing ill-fitting footwear and performing physical activity that involves running and jumping.
Why does the pain come and go?
Metatarsalgia feels worse when you flex your foot, walk, run or simply stand (especially barefoot). The foot pain will then fade during rest periods.
Again, when inflammation is the reason behind intermittent pain, it will not bother you 24/7. Metatarsalgia is no different, but if you ignore it, the condition may worsen, causing radiating pain to other parts of the foot, the hips and the lower back. This is caused by your body attempting to accommodate the pain by walking differently, which neglects the core issue and strains other body parts.
Morton's Neuroma
Sometimes nerve problems are to blame for foot pain.
Morton's Neuroma affects the ball of the foot, specifically the area between the 3rd and 4th toes. The pain is accompanied by a burning sensation and a nagging pressure, and it can also feel like you have an invisible pebble in your shoe. But it's also known to radiate to the top of the foot, causing intermittent stabbing pain.
When tissues thicken around one of the nerves in our feet, it will cause a burning, sharp pain. People who wear high heels are often at risk, as well as older women and people with foot deformities like hammertoes and bunions.
Why does the pain come and go?
Morton's Neuroma pain is generally intermittent, but when you irritate the nerves, you'll notice the pain is back in full force.
The symptoms will flare up if you continue to walk in the same tight shoes that triggered the problem in the first place. Likewise, if you spend a long day on your feet, the pain will be much more challenging than on a day of lounging and relaxation.
Injuries
A foot injury is a broad term for many scenarios, from dropping a heavy object on the top of the foot to a full-blown ankle sprain or stress fracture. Technically, many foot conditions are injuries, even plantar fasciitis. But for simplicity, let's discuss more sudden injuries instead of those that cause inflammation or degradation over time.
Why does the pain come and go?
When you first suffer from an injury, the pain will likely be acute and bother you consistently, even while resting.
But foot pain from an injury can transform into a pain that comes and goes when you start to heal. Even though most moderate injuries heal within a month, light activity will trigger pain as you slowly get back to normal. Generally, you must cease any activity if you experience sudden, sharp pain while healing from an injury.
It's also important to speak with a foot specialist and your family doctor about managing intermittent pain after an injury.
Tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis causes a dull ache directly above the heel or on the back of the leg, and extensor tendonitis causes the same feeling on the top of the foot. They both result from inflammation of their respective tendons: the Achilles tendon (the tendon that connects the back of the calf to the heel bone) and the extensor tendons (the tendons that run along the top of the foot).
Athletes are the most vulnerable, as these are repetitive strain injuries that arise after vigorous physical activity. When you bear weight on your toes and feet, you're putting these tendons to work, making them more susceptible to strain.
Why does the pain come and go?
Naturally, the pain will be worse when you use these tendons in any capacity or when you first start to move during the day. But tendonitis can also cause stiffness at the end of the night or first thing in the morning without movement.
Fun fact: the Achilles tendon is not only crucial for performance enhancement, but it's also the biggest and strongest tendon in the human body! So be sure to protect it from additional harm by seeking treatment.
What Can I do About Foot Pain That Comes and Goes?
First, don't let rest periods trick you into thinking your foot pain is gone. Whether it's inflammation, a pinched nerve or any other trigger for the pain, treatment is always the best option.
Furthermore, a common mistake is assuming that chiropodists are only for severe cases. But several services from a foot clinic are medically proven to provide foot pain relief for those with intermittent discomfort.
Some of the most effective treatment options include:
Custom orthotics
Footwear recommendations and fittings
Superfeet insoles
Shockwave therapy
Exercises and stretching routines
Therapeutic taping
Splints and boot casts
For action you can take at home, be sure to kick your tight shoes to the curb and enjoy some rest and relaxation, combined with a good exercise and conditioning routine!
October 6, 2022
It's no mystery when you have a stubbed toe. It usually results from a sudden hit or jam into furniture or another foreign object. Tripping over something or getting your toe stuck can also cause this painful nuisance.
The sudden pain from a stubbed toe can be both alarming and momentarily debilitating. While most stubbed toes come and go, it's important to look for signs of a more serious injury and how you can relieve it.
Stubbed Toe: What to Look Out For
Since stubbed toes are so common, most people assume that they don't cause complications or can't be serious. However, stubbed toes can range in severity. It's even possible to confuse a broken toe for a stubbed toe.
Here are some signs to pay attention to:
If your stubbed toe is turning purple: Internal bleeding under a stubbed toenail can cause bruising and blood pooling, or a subungual hematoma. Typically, a purple or blueish tint in a stubbed toe will go away. But if it doesn't go away within a few days or the colouring spreads, you may have a broken toe.
If you've stubbed your pinky toe: Your pinky toe is more vulnerable than its counterparts since its placement and small size leave it more susceptible to injury. Despite this, you should follow the same steps to healing your pinky toe as any other toes.
Stubbed toe and nail damage: Sometimes, stubbing your toe can lead to a cracked toenail. The sudden impact to the toenail may also be enough to break deep into the nail plate and cause bleeding. It may be painful and difficult to walk for a while as the broken portion of the nail regrows. It's important to pay close attention to an open, externally bleeding toenail as it is vulnerable to infection.
Stubbed toe vs. broken toe: If you notice discolouration and pain that does not subside, deformity, and stiffness, you may have broken your toe.
Swelling and difficulty walking: See a doctor or foot specialist if you notice swelling and an inability to put weight on your foot.
How to Relieve a Stubbed Toe: Stubbed Toe Treatment
To prevent stubbed toes as much as possible, wear orthopedic slippers or other footwear indoors. Going barefoot at home is second nature for many of us, but protective footwear can prevent many minor injuries.
The RICE method is one of the most effective ways to handle sudden minor injuries.
Rest: If the pain from your stubbed toe is lingering, stop physical activity and rest your foot. Many healthcare professionals suggest staying off your toe for at least 48 hours.
Ice: Applying ice to the toe can reduce pain and swelling.
Compression: Light compression also reduces pain and swelling. Try using a medical bandage or gauze.
Elevation: Raising your foot can reduce swelling, pain and throbbing. You can easily elevate your foot by stacking a few pillows on top of each other and placing your foot on top of them while laying down.
You can try nonprescription medication, like Ibuprofen to help relieve throbbing pain. Additionally, if you have a cracked toenail, you can try soaking it in an Epsom salt foot bath.
If you're concerned about the severity of your stubbed toe, you can schedule an appointment with a chiropodist. They may be able to tape your toe, so it heals faster. Furthermore, they can determine if your toe is broken during a thorough foot assessment. If your chiropodist suspects a toe fracture, they may suggest x-rays.
How Long Does a Stubbed Toe Take to Heal?
In many cases, your toe will be momentarily painful but quickly feel better.
If the impact pain is excruciating, use the RICE method. See a foot specialist or your doctor if the pain doesn't subside within several hours.
If you have a toe fracture, the average recovery time is 4-6 weeks.
June 13, 2022
Have you ever watched a professional sports league and noticed athletes wearing tape around their feet, ankles, or lower legs? Alas, taping is not just for professional athletes. But its widespread adoption in a number of sports can help demonstrate how this technique works for everyday uses to help treat and prevent certain foot and leg injuries and conditions.
In this article, we explore the basics of taping, how and why it's used, and common use cases. To start, let's explain what the term "taping" refers to.
What does "taping" mean?
Taping at its core is a therapeutic method for injury prevention and injury management. In other words, it is used to help treat and prevent various foot conditions and injuries.
Its purpose is to help stabilize and limit a joint's range of motion whilst enabling functionality to the affected area. By wrapping certain parts of your foot, you can "lock" certain joints or muscles, and relieve pressure from specific areas. The actual tape used can be either a type of pressure-sensitive tape (which activates based on the pressure applied to it) or something as basic as surgical tape.
If you've ever used a brace, taping is similar in mechanics and purpose. The main difference is that taping can be altered and manipulated depending on its intended function.
Why tape your feet?
Taping isn't just for sports injuries or for professional athletes. Taping can be used as an effective tool for a range of foot conditions and injuries, from hallux valgus (bunions) to Achilles taping tendonitis. It's popular due to being able to pack a punch.
Taping can also be beneficial as it's a non-invasive, accessible, and quite affordable treatment. You can either apply tape at home or have a medical professional or therapist do it for you. Taping techniques can last several days, and don't hinder your movement in any way, nor does it add too much bulk to your feet (meaning you may be able to wear your regular footwear), whereas an air cast or splint is much less versatile.
Examples of taping methods include:
The low-dye taping technique can help those who suffer from plantar fasciitis. This technique provides additional padding below your heel and helps offload weight from your plantar fascia, making it useful for other lower leg injuries like shin splints. This technique is typically meant for serious ankle injuries whereas the figure 8 technique, although less supportive, may benefit those with mild to moderate lower leg injuries.
The basketweave technique specifically targets ankle injuries. The basketweave is the most supportive taping technique and involves taping across the top of your foot, around your upper ankle, and along your Achilles tendon.
The McConnell taping technique targets those with patellofemoral syndrome. This method involves taping across both above and below the knee cap and enclosing the knee with vertical tape on both sides. This is done to reduce pain and alter the alignment of the patellofemoral joint.
Bunion taping: The joint is taped to help keep it in place, prevent further misalignment, and temporarily manage pain and inflammation.
Buddy wrapping: This taping technique involves taping a damaged extremity or joint to its neighbour. For example, a common short-term treatment for tennis toe is to tape the injured toe with a healthy toe, effectively creating a splint via tape.
Which conditions or injuries can benefit from taping?
Taping can provide immediate relief for a number of different injuries. Its objective is to provide stability and offload weight from inflamed muscles and joints.
The following conditions and injuries may benefit from taping, depending on the severity:
Plantar fasciitis
Tibialis posterior dysfunction
Achilles tendonitis
Ankle sprains
Patellar tendonitis
Bunions
Turf toe
Flat feet
Taping can also be used for surface conditions like blisters. This is different than the techniques mentioned above. Taping your toes and feet can help reduce the likelihood of blisters by providing a medium between your skin and your shoes. This reduces the amount of friction on the surface of your skin. You can use materials as simple as surgical tape for this. A study of ultrarunners published in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine found that paper tape prevents both the incidence and frequency of foot blisters in runners.
Does taping your feet and lower legs work?
Taping can be beneficial both as a treatment method and a preventative measure against future injury.
For plantar fasciitis, for example, research finds that "in the short-term, taping is beneficial in treating plantar fasciitis. The best evidence exists for low dye taping and calcaneal taping." In flat feet, one study found that "kinematic taping on flexible flat feet had positive effects of immediately reducing the abnormally increased foot pressure and the tone and stiffness in the lower extremity muscles."
Athletic taping in sports
You'll find that taping is quite common in sports where a lot of side-to-side movement and/or running are involved. Sports, due to their intense nature, carry considerable risk for injury, especially to the legs and feet, and often involve regular treatment.
These are some of the sports in particular where you'll find taping most common:
Tennis
Basketball
Running
Football
Soccer
Dance and ballet
Hockey
Who can tape my feet?
Our chiropodists at Feet First Clinic can skillfully and therapeutically tape the feet and toes to treat and prevent a variety of foot conditions and deformities.
You can book an appointment with a chiropodist to have your foot issue assessed. At your assessment, the chiropodist will determine the best course of treatment. Taping is done at this time if necessary. The chiropodist can also instruct you on how to properly apply tape at home. We recommend follow-up appointments to monitor your progress.
June 9, 2022
There is no injury more common than ankle sprains. In fact, approximately 85% of all ankle injuries sustained in North America are a sprain of some sort. What makes ankle sprains so common? And what can be done to help prevent and heal these lower leg injuries?
In this article, we explore some common questions regarding ankle sprains including:
Is it OK to walk on a sprained ankle?
How do I know what kind of sprain I have?
Can I sprain an ankle without knowing it?
What are the most common ways of spraining an ankle?
Can you sprain your ankle while sleeping?
How long does a sprained ankle take to heal in a child?
And finally, what is the fastest way to heal a sprained ankle?
The truth is that an ankle sprain can occur in any setting, making anyone and everyone prone to this injury at some point or another. Although it's common while playing sports, especially soccer, basketball, tennis, and dance, even a slip-up at home — for instance slipping on a stair — can lead to injury.
Read on for more information about ankle sprains, and how a Foot Clinic can help you in your recovery (and prevention).
Is it OK to walk on a sprained ankle?
You should stay off your feet in the immediate aftermath of a sprained ankle while you have it diagnosed. Once you've allowed your ankle some time to recover, with caution, you can walk as long as you wear supportive footwear, and gradually ease back into physical activity. Avoid unsupportive footwear like flip-flops or high heels.
Wait between 24-72 hours if necessary to allow for the immediate signs and symptoms to subside. Fortunately, if you're able to walk with minimal discomfort, staying active will actually help in your recovery as walking and light activity can promote blood flow. If you continue to experience pain, a sprained ankle isn't an injury you want to simply walk off.
How do I know what kind of sprain I have?
There are varying degrees of ankle sprains. These range from mild to severe sprains. Severity depends on the damage to the ligaments, and symptoms include different levels of swelling, discolouration, and pain. Ankle sprains are typically categorized as follows:
Mild sprain (Grade I): Minor over-extension of the ligaments, limited pain, mild levels of swelling, and some weight-bearing tolerance.
Moderate sprain (Grade II): A mix of over-extended ligaments and minor tears, moderate pain, slight discolouration, medium levels of swelling, and limited weight-bearing tolerance.
Severe sprain (Grade III): Complete tear of the ligament, high levels of pain, intense discolouration, swelling (sometimes as much as a golf ball), and zero weight-bearing tolerance.
The most accurate method of diagnosing a sprain is by visiting a doctor. Imaging or a physical examination of your ankle may be done to determine the severity of the injury.
Can I sprain an ankle without knowing it?
Yes! Although most ankle sprains are acute, you may in fact tweak your ankle ligaments unknowingly. By continuing, the symptoms and damage may worsen, and you could wake up one day with an ankle sprain without any recollection of it happening, or knowing how it happened. For example, you could be out for a walk or a run and have a slight misstep, and forget that it happened. You may not recognize it as a sprain at first, but lo and behold, swelling and pain could surface 1 to 2 days later.
Common ways to sprain an ankle
Any motion that pushes your ankle's normal range of motion beyond its limit can cause an ankle sprain. Some common everyday activities include:
Walking on a beach where the ground is uneven.
Playing a sport like soccer, tennis, basketball, volleyball, or any sport involving side-to-side movement.
Wearing flip-flops or unsupportive footwear where your ankle may be more prone to rolling. Instead, visit a foot clinic to see a foot specialist for footwear recommendations and help you find summer-friendly options that won’t leave you rubbing your heels after a long walk through the park or icing your ankles after a trip to the beach.
Falling or slipping in the workplace, especially if you work in a labour-intensive environment or are on your feet all day.
Re-injuring a previously sprained ankle that is not fully healed.
Can you sprain your ankle while sleeping?
Because any movement that twists or turns your ankle in a way that stretches the ligaments can cause a sprain, the answer is yes, you can sprain your ankle while sleeping. However it is not a common source of ankle sprains.
How long does a sprained ankle take to heal in a child?
The peak incidence of ankle sprains occurs between 15 and 19 years of age, according to research published in the National Library of Medicine. The same research suggests that ankle injuries in adolescents differ slightly from their adult counterparts due to the growth plates and development of bones and muscles in the lower extremities. Beyond physiology, children can be prone to ankle injuries simply due to the fact that kids will be kids. That children play outside, can be active in sports, or perhaps are generally a bit more carefree may mean they could slip up from time to time and fall awkwardly on their ankles.
For Grades I and II ankle sprains — paired with NSAIDs, activity modification (i.e.: being careful about the weight-bearing activities a child does), and rest — an ankle sprain can fully heal in approximately 4-6 weeks. A child may return to weight-bearing activity sooner if proper precautions are taken, such as ankle taping, but one should be cautious to avoid re-injuring the ankle. Grade III sprains may involve additional recovery depending on whether a surgical procedure is required, in which case recovery time may be extended to 8-12 weeks and could possibly involve physiotherapy.
What is the fastest way to heal a sprained ankle?
The fastest way to heal a sprained ankle is to allow your body to run its natural course of healing and keep your ankle in a stable position. Although there's no magical cure, following the RICE method of recovery is a surefire way to improve your odds of a smooth recovery.
RICE stands for:
Rest. Take a rest. Reduce the weight on your foot, whether that means wearing an air cast, using crutches, or just resting for a day or two. Avoid any strenuous exercise until your injury has been diagnosed, or if you continue to experience intense pain with each step.
Ice. Use an ice pack (no direct contact with actual ice to the skin) to reduce swelling. This should also help with pain management.
Compression. Wrap your ankle, if necessary, with a compression garment. This helps stabilize your ankle and reduces swelling. Additionally, having your ankle taped by a medical professional can help stabilize the ankle joint, and prevent the ankle's lateral movement.
Elevation. Elevate your feet above your heart, whether that’s lying down or sitting down with your feet up on an object (like an ottoman or desk). This will encourage blood flow and help reduce swelling.
May 9, 2022
“Broken foot” is a broad and general term. Which bone did you break exactly? Each foot contains 26 bones and 100+ joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments making it a complex network of parts.
A broken bone is the most serious bone injury. It involves the partial or complete breaking of a bone. It can be either a crack or a break.
Think of your bones like an HB pencil. It can bend. But there's a breaking point when you exert too much pressure. Although bones are incredibly resilient, once you go beyond a bone's breaking point, it cracks or fractures.
In this article, you'll learn about the types of bone breaks, common broken foot bones, recovery time, and ways to diagnose the severity of the injury.
Types of bone breaks
There are several types of bone breaks, as well as two categories of the displacement of broken bones.
Stress fracture: A stress fracture, or hairline fracture, is a crack in the bone. This is often caused by repetitive movements that over time cause the bone to weaken and ultimately crack. This is the least severe form of a broken bone and is common in the leg and foot, namely the tibia, femur, and metatarsals.
Stable fracture: A stable fracture is a clean break in the bone where the bone maintains its alignment. This means that no surgery is necessary. Instead, a cast may be sufficient to stabilize the bone while it heals.
Open (compound) fracture: A compound fracture is when a bone breaks and pierces through your skin. This severe injury often requires surgery, both to close the skin to prevent infection, and to re-align the broken bone.
Transverse fracture: A transverse fracture is an injury where the bone breaks at a right angle (i.e.: in a straight line perpendicular to the length of the bone). This type of injury on an X-ray would be analogous to sawing the trunk of a tree.
Oblique fracture: Whereas a transverse fracture is straight across bone, an oblique fracture is a broken bone that occurs at an angle. On an X-ray, this would look like a bone with two pointed edges close to or at the breaking point.
Spiral fracture: Also called a “torsion fracture”, a spiral fracture involves a twisting force. Like an oblique fracture, the bone breaks at an angle; however, the extreme twisting force also causes a component of the break to be parallel to the length of the bone.
Comminuted fracture: A comminuted fracture is when a bone breaks in multiple locations. This severe injury is usually the result of a major accident, like a crash or bad fall.
Avulsion fracture: An avulsion fracture involves the detachment of a bone (or piece of the bone) from the tendons and ligaments it’s attached to. Avulsion fractures are most common in the ankle.
Not only are there different types of fractures, but there are also two categories for the extent of the break. These are non-displaced fractures, in which broken bones generally maintain their original alignment, and displaced fractures, where a broken bone requires re-alignment because it's forced out of position.
Most common broken foot bones
Metatarsals: Your metatarsals are the small but mighty bones in your toes. Each of your toes has a metatarsal and are labeled from one through five, starting with your first (big toe). The fifth metatarsal (aka your pinky toe) is prone to breaks because of the regularity of stubbed toes, whether it's in your home, at work, or on the field. (Read more on what to do when/if you stub your toe.) That's not to say your other metatarsals aren’t also prone to breaks. Each of your toes can break, especially if you're someone who lifts and drops items or works in a labour-intensive industry.
Tibia: Your tibia, also known as the shin bone, is prone to breaks, both from one-time trauma or repetitive usage. As a weight-bearing bone, this is a common site of stress fractures. It's also prone to full breaks as it's the connector between your ankle and knee. This is a commonly broken bone in sports where your lower legs are targeted, like basketball, football, hockey, or soccer.
Heel bone: Your heel can break from falling and landing on your feet. For example, you may fall down the stairs feet first and injure your heel, or you could fall off a ladder. Other kinds of trauma impacting the foot, like a car accident, can also break your heel.
Causes of Broken Foot Bones
The most common causes of fractures are:
Trauma: Trauma refers to an acute injury to the bone causing it to break. This is usually a one-time event that forces a bone beyond its breaking point. Common scenarios include falls, car crashes, collisions during sports, or even stubbing your toe.
Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens the bone. Specifically, it occurs when bone mineral density is reduced, making breaks and fractures more common. This condition is common in women after menopause (the 12-month timeframe after a woman's last period) but it can also occur in men and premenopausal women. Hormonal disorders, chronic diseases, and smoking can all contribute to reduced bone mineral density, lack of calcium or other mineral deficiencies in bone composition.
Overuse/stress: Minor, but repetitive trauma to a bone can cause it to crack and break. These repeated forces over time don't necessarily push your bone beyond its breaking point at once. Rather, the consistent impact causes slow degradation and weakens a part of your bone to the point where it can no longer recover between uses. These overuse injuries are commonly referred to as stress fractures. A precursor to a stress fracture is a stress reaction, which is a deep bone bruise. Stress reactions can turn into a stress fracture if not treated. Common overuse injuries occur in long-distance runners, soccer players, and jumping up and down repeatedly.
How long does it take for a broken foot to heal?
There's no exact timeline but bones can take anywhere from 6-12 weeks to heal. Recovery largely depends on the severity of the fracture, as well as your recovery efforts. Additionally, whether the broken bone is weight-bearing or not has an impact on recovery time. Generally, children and young adults heal faster, whereas the older population will have delayed recovery.
Your diet and eating habits also influence recovery time. A diet rich in calcium and vitamin D helps restore bone tissue (vitamin D helps your body absorb the calcium). Foods rich with calcium include dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt, as well as non-dairy foods such as almond milk, orange juice, cereals, broccoli, greens, beans, and fish. Foods with plenty of Vitamin D include mushrooms, soy milk, oatmeal, fish, and eggs (especially the yolks!).
How can you tell if you break a bone?
The fastest and most reliable method to diagnose a broken bone is for a doctor to perform medical imaging. X-rays are a common method to diagnose fractures and broken bones, whereas MRIs are done to examine muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
However, there are other symptoms and signs of a broken bone. These include, but are not limited to:
Hearing a snap: Except perhaps in the case of ankle popping and cracking, a snapping noise is indicative of a broken bone.
Pierced skin: As bad as it sounds, a more obvious way to tell if you have a broken bone is if it's visible, namely in the case of compound fractures.
Location: Where it hurts can tell you a lot about whether you've broken a bone or not. Pain localized to the bone itself is a good indicator compared to, say, pain in soft tissue, in which case it may be a muscle or tendon injury rather than a bone injury. If the bone is painful to touch, it may be a broken bone.
Unable to bear weight on it: With broken bones, especially weight-bearing bones, putting any sort of weight on it is painful. That said, broken bones, depending on the severity and time since injury, may be painful when you have little to no weight on the joint.
Swelling: Common with a broken foot is bruising and/or discoloration. This association is however challenging. Swelling is a sign of a number of conditions and injuries unrelated to a broken bone.
If you experience any of the above signs and symptoms, you should immediately seek medical attention and get medical imaging.
