About this topic
This is a break in one or more bones that make up your foot. It is caused by a trauma to the bones in your foot. Trauma may be due to: ‚
- Falls
- Direct impact or blow on your foot
- Heavy object falling on your foot
- Over-twisting of the foot
View OriginalView Original
View OriginalView Original
View OriginalView Original
What care is needed at home?
Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do. ‚
You may need to have a brace, cast, or splint on your foot. Ask your doctor if you: ‚
- Need to use crutches to keep weight off your foot.
- Should use an elastic bandage, brace, or neoprene sleeve for support and to ease swelling.
- May drive.
- Are allowed to bathe or shower.
Your doctor will talk with you about proper care at home. You may also need to: ‚
- Rest. Allow your injury to heal before you do slow movements.
- Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel over the painful part. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
- Prop your foot on pillows to help with swelling.
- Wiggle your toes often. This will help blood flow.
- Wear protective footwear to lower stress on your foot.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your brace, splint, or cast may need to be removed. Your doctor may order you to have an x-ray. Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
- Fight an infection
Will physical activity be limited?
You may need to rest your foot for a while. You should not do physical activity that makes your foot hurt. If you run, work out, or play sports, you may not be able to do those things until your foot gets better. ‚
What problems could happen?
- If your fracture fails to heal, you may need to have surgery.
- You may develop arthritis.
- You may not have the same range or amount of movement you had before the injury.
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Improve your health, eating habits, and overall fitness.
- Avoid falls to stop more fractures.
- Use proper clothing when you are playing sports. This may include ankle supports and elbow and knee pads.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Numbness, coldness, or blue color of the foot
- Very bad pain, swelling, or bleeding in your foot
- Brace or splint are damaged
- Soreness or redness around the area of your brace or splint
- Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my fracture.
- I can tell you how to care for my injured area.
- I can tell you what may help ease my pain.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have more pain or I have more numbness and tingling and swelling.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons ‚
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00379 ‚
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00165 ‚
American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons ‚
http://www.foothealthfacts.org/what-is/ns_fracture.htm ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚