Bone Disorders
Fractures
CAUSES
Fractures are most commonly caused by trauma like kicking or dropping something on your foot. Most people feel like they are going to puke as soon as they break a bone. Occasionally, fractures can occur because of a decrease in the bone stock or twisting and turning too fast with your foot still planted on the ground called torque fractures.
DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosis is made by obtaining X-rays to look for cracks in the bone whether they are partial or complete fractures. Skin evaluation will most commonly show bruising over and around the area from the broken bone bleeding when it was initially traumatized. A tuning fork is used to see if pain is elicited indicating a bone fracture. Even if there is a stress fracture that can’t be seen on x-ray for up to 3 weeks the tuning fork will elicit pain. Palpaton about the area will most likely cause pain and swelling which will present itself from the inflammatory processes that has been initiated from the trauma.
TREATMENT
Once a diagnosis is made the treatment plan will be based on the type, location and size of the fracture. This may range from taping the toes to wearing a surgical shoe or cam walker to immobilize the foot. Weight bearing status again depends on the fracture. Complete fractures may or may not require surgical intervention to correct depending on the fracture and may need plates and screws to fixate.
