Did you know that your feet, which look fairly simple from the outside, are incredibly complex on the inside? Each contains a total of 28 bones, with 19 of them distributed throughout your toes. The other 9 are metatarsal bones located in the middle part of your foot.
Our feet are strong and literally allow us to travel through our lives, but accidents happen, and each of those bones in your feet is susceptible to fractures. So, can you still walk if your foot is fractured and, perhaps more importantly, should you?
At Midwest Foot & Ankle Associates, Dr. Biren Shah offers exceptional care for foot fractures and a wide range of other foot injuries and conditions. His expertise, compassion, and desire to understand each patient’s unique situation make him an excellent partner in care, always ready to listen and answer your questions.
The first step is discovering whether it’s a fracture or another type of injury that will likely heal on its own, with sufficient time and rest.
If you had a traumatic injury, like a fall, or you injured your foot playing sports or simply through repetitive movement, you’ll most likely notice pain, swelling, and trouble with walking and balance. Your foot may or may not be able to bear weight.
The most pressing question then, even if you’re able to walk, is whether you should. Or, will walking on the foot cause further, possibly serious damage?
These questions all point to the importance of seeking treatment from a podiatrist if you suffer any type of debilitating or painful foot injury. Dr. Shah starts with an accurate diagnosis.
This involves a visual evaluation of your foot, possibly imaging tests, and a detailed discussion of your symptoms and the onset of the pain. Was it because of an accident, a “weekend warrior” mishap, or something else?
It’s always best to refrain from walking on your foot if you’ve injured it, because many variables can be at play.
Here are some reasons why:
Certain injuries can seem like one thing, but actually be another.
For example, a Jones fracture, which is located behind the little toe, is frequently incorrectly diagnosed as a sprained ankle. This is problematic because sprains and fractures require different treatments.
Consulting with a specialist like Dr. Shah is the only way to receive an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.
Because of the uncertainty that comes along with foot pain and mobility problems, it’s also important to note that some fractures (for example, traumatic and stress fractures) only require rest to mend.
So, if you’re walking around on your injured foot when you shouldn’t be, you’re actively working against healing and recovery.
Many fractures, including stress fractures, require you to limit weight bearing for a time. Yes, this may include walking. Dr. Shah may recommend crutches, a wheelchair, or other assistive devices to help “rest” the foot.
Depending on the injury, Dr. Shah might recommend a specialty walking boot, rigid shoe, or cast to keep your foot immobile as you heal. You can’t access these tools if you don’t seek treatment, and walking on the injury may result in worsening damage.
By pursuing care for a foot fracture rather than going it alone, you can take advantage of a variety of treatment modalities that can help you heal faster and better. These include physical therapy, special exercises, and a customized rehabilitation program.
Schedule an evaluation at Midwest Foot & Ankle Associates. Call our Rockford or Elgin office today or request an appointment online.
