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Fractures, Trauma & Sports Injuries

Foot, Ankle & Toe Fractures

Causes, symptoms, and treatment for foot, ankle, and toe fractures, with care at 15 clinics across Middle Tennessee.

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Understanding foot, ankle, and toe fractures and your options.

A fracture is a break in a bone. In the foot and ankle, this can be a small crack or a bone that has moved out of place. Common spots include the fifth metatarsal, the Jones area, the heel bone, the talus, and the navicular.

These breaks often follow a fall, a twist, a car crash, or a heavy object landing on the foot. Most people notice pain and swelling right away. Early care helps the bone line up and heal in a good position.

Also called: Fifth Metatarsal, Jones, Heel/Calcaneal, Talus, Navicular

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Foot, Ankle & Toe Fractures care

Symptoms

Signs of foot, ankle, and toe fractures.

If you notice these signs, an exam can give you clear answers.

  • 01

    Sharp pain right after a fall, twist, or hit

  • 02

    Swelling and bruising around the foot or ankle

  • 03

    Pain when you try to stand or walk

  • 04

    A foot that looks bent, crooked, or out of shape

Why it happens

What can cause foot, ankle, and toe fractures.

  • 01

    Falls, missteps, and hard twists of the ankle

  • 02

    Car crashes and other sudden impacts

  • 03

    Heavy objects dropped on the foot

  • 04

    Sports collisions and awkward landings from jumps

Care groupFractures, Trauma & Sports Injuries

Diagnosis and care

How we treat foot, ankle, and toe fractures.

Step 1 · Diagnosis

We check where it hurts, how the foot moves, and how the skin looks. X-rays in our office show most breaks and how far the bone has shifted. If the break is in a tricky spot like the talus or heel, we may send you for a CT scan or MRI for a closer look.

Step 2 · Treatment

Many fractures heal without surgery when the bones are lined up well. You may wear a cast, a walking boot, or a stiff-soled shoe. Some breaks need crutches so the foot can rest for a few weeks. We may tape a broken toe to its neighbor to keep it steady. Physical therapy helps you regain strength and balance once the bone is healing.

Surgery may be needed when a bone has moved out of place, a joint is involved, or a break is slow to heal. Surgeons often use plates, screws, or pins to hold the pieces together while they mend.

Recovery

What to expect over time.

Simple toe breaks often feel much better in about 4 to 8 weeks. Larger breaks in the heel, talus, or ankle may take 3 months or more, and some stiffness or swelling can last longer.

When to book

Do not wait it out.

See a podiatrist soon if you cannot put weight on your foot, or if it is swollen, bruised, or looks out of place. Go to an emergency room first if a bone is poking through the skin or the foot is numb or very pale.

Call 615-220-8788

Related care

More in Fractures, Trauma & Sports Injuries.

FAQ

Your questions answered.

How do I know if it is a break or a sprain?

They can feel alike, so an X-ray is the best way to tell. Pain over a bone or trouble bearing weight makes a break more likely.

Can I walk on a broken toe?

Some people can, but walking may slow healing or shift the bone. Have it checked so we can tell you how much weight is safe.

Get help with foot, ankle, and toe fractures.

Request an appointmentCall 615-220-8788

Where we treat it

Foot, Ankle & Toe Fractures care at 15 clinics.

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