A common myth is that you can’t walk on a broken foot — but that’s not always true, and assuming it is can cause more damage. If you’ve injured your foot and are experiencing any of the following, it’s important to get it evaluated right away:
The talus is the bone that creates the lower part of the ankle joint and allows the foot to move up and down. This bone is also the main connector between the foot and leg. It aids in transferring weight and pressure across the ankle joint. A talus fracture occurs when one of the bones that forms the ankle breaks, usually caused by a high-energy/impact event (car accident, fall, etc). CT scans are typically necessary when diagnosing a talus fracture. When the talus is fractured, a substantial loss of motion and function is usually noted. The talus is a difficult bone to heal, and if healed improperly, complications such as non-union, arthritis, chronic pain or a decrease in foot mobility.
The calcaneus or heel bone lies at the back of the foot, below the bones of the ankle joint. The calcaneus along with the talus form the subtalar joint, which allows foot movement side-to-side and balancing on uneven ground. A calcaneal fracture can be quite severe, resulting in debilitating deformity. It often occurs from a high energy/impact event (car accident, fall, etc.) when the heel becomes crushed under the body. Dr. Castelein will often recommend a CT scan when diagnosing a calcaneal fracture. Due to the typical severity of this injury, surgery is often needed to reconstruct and restore mobility to the foot. Without restoring proper alignment, calcaneal fractures may result in long-term complications such as pain, swelling, and arthritis.
The navicular bone is one of the five midfoot bones and assists in making the tarsus of the foot and ankle. This bone helps transfer weight from the ankle to the ball of the foot. The navicular is covered in cartilage and lacks good blood supply which results in this area being more susceptible to damage. Navicular fractures are often caused by repetitive stress (excessive running, twisting, jumping) or traumatic injury. Dr. Castelein will use a CT or MRI scan to determine the prevalence and severity of a navicular fracture.These fractures are at high risk of nonunion and loss of bone tissue and often require surgical intervention.
The cuneiform consists of three bones: medial cuneiform, intermediate cuneiform and lateral cuneiform. These three bones interlock with each other to form a bridge between the navicular and metatarsals. This set of bones provides stability vital to walking and running. Cuneiform fractures are rare and typically involve a very high energy/impact trauma event (car accident, fall from height, etc.). A cuneiform fracture is very rarely seen on its own and may be accompanied by a LisFranc or other fracture. CT scans are often needed to affirm a cuneiform fracture. Depending on severity of fracture, a period of non-weightbearing or surgical repair may be needed.
Even though they are quite small, fractures to the toes can be painful. The big toe is made of two bones and is especially important as one half of your body weight is transferred through it. The smaller toes each have three bones and combined take the other one half of the body’s weight. A broken toe is a common fracture that mostly occurs from dropping something on the foot, stubbing a toe or overuse/repetitive stress. Dr. Castelein uses X-ray to diagnose foot fractures. When needed he can manually reduce the fracture. He also often recommends changing footwear and immobilization to achieve full resolution. In certain instances surgery may be needed.
The cuboid bone is a short, square-shaped bone and is found in the midfoot area of the foot. This bone connects the foot to the ankle and provides overall stability to the foot. Fractures of the cuboid are rare and referred to as a “nutcracker” fracture. Causes are usually related to landing from a high jumping point, repetitive ankle sprains or a crush injury to the foot. Utilizing both CT and X-ray for this fracture is imperative in diagnosis. Cuboid fractures often heal without surgical intervention, however accurate diagnosis of the fracture is needed to determine best course of care.
Diagnosis begins with an in-office X-ray. For more complex fractures, a CT scan may be needed to get a detailed cross-sectional view — often displayed in 3D — to fully understand the fracture pattern and bone structure before planning treatment.
Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation help manage pain and swelling during the healing period. Dr. Castelein will walk you through exactly how to apply each step effectively.
A medical walking boot stabilizes the foot and protects the fracture while it heals, typically for six to eight weeks. Most patients leave our office with the boot the same day.
When additional immobilization is needed, Dr. Castelein will cast the foot directly in our office, molding it precisely to your foot for maximum support. Casting is sometimes used alongside a CAM boot for a six to eight week recovery period.
When a fracture is severe, displaced, extends into a joint, or isn’t healing properly, surgery is typically necessary. Dr. Castelein is board-certified to realign bone structure, restore function, and get patients back to activity as quickly as safely possible. Depending on the fracture type and severity, he may use internal fixation to support the bone during healing, or external fixation for more complex cases.
Don’t wait — untreated fractures can lead to long-term complications. Brighton Foot & Ankle has in-office X-ray for same-visit diagnosis. Book online or call us today.
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