Foot and ANkle Fracture Experts in San Antonio

What are the Most Common symptoms of A Foot or ankle Fracture?

Foot and ankle fractures often incur symptoms including severe pain, swelling, bruising, and tenderness around the injured area. Individuals may experience difficulty bearing weight or walking due to the pain, along with possible deformity or misalignment of the foot or ankle. Limited range of motion and sensitivity to touch are common. In severe cases, visible bone displacement or protrusion might occur. However, not all fractures exhibit visible deformities, and some might have less pronounced symptoms initially.

Seeking immediate medical attention upon experiencing these symptoms or after an injury is crucial for proper evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment to facilitate optimal healing and prevent potential complications.

Treatment Options for A Foot & ankle fracture in San Antonio:

For mild foot or ankle injuries, we recommend the RICE method:

1. Rest: Rest is essential to ensure proper recovery. Minimize or completely avoid putting weight on the injured foot or ankle to prevent further damage and allow the injured area to heal.

2. Ice: Applying ice or a cold pack to the injured area helps reduce swelling, inflammation, and pain. Cold therapy should be applied for about 15-20 minutes every few hours during the first 48 hours after the injury.

3. Compression: Use an elastic bandage or compression wrap around the injured foot or ankle to help reduce swelling and provide support to the injured area.

4. Elevation: Elevate the injured foot or ankle above the level of the heart, whenever possible, to help minimize swelling by allowing excess fluids to drain away from the injured area.

For more serious breaks and fractures, it is recommended that you immobilize the injured area through casts, splints, or walking boots to stabilize the fracture. For some fractures, reduction (manipulating bones back into place) preceding immobilization may be necessary. Severe fractures, especially those causing significant displacement, might require surgery to realign and stabilize bones using screws, plates, or rods. Once your fracture has healed, rehabilitation involving physical therapy and exercises is crucial to restore strength, flexibility, and overall function in the affected foot or ankle.