Foot & Ankle Myths Debunked: Top 5 Myths About Broken Bones & Treatments

When it comes to foot and ankle injuries, we’ve heard some doozies about myths surrounding broken bones and at-home injury treatments.

Unfortunately, these myths are dangerous because they could cause further pain and injury due to incorrect care. The specialists at Triad Foot Center offer these de-bunker facts:

• Your foot can be broken and you may still be able to walk on it without realizing it is broken: So many people incorrectly believe that if your foot is broken, you wouldn’t be able to walk on it. The truth is that while most instances of broken bones in your foot leave you immobile, sometimes you can still walk on your foot while suffering certain fractures, like fractures in the fibula, chip fractures of the foot and ankle, and fractures in the toes.

 

• Yes, you need to see a podiatrist if you break your toe: All fractures need medical attention to ensure proper healing and to efficiently alleviate pain. Your toe may also need to be realigned, which can only be determined by x-rays and an evaluation by a podiatrist. Improper healing and deformities, as a result of not seeking treatment, can leave you with pain long after the injury occurred.

 

• Don’t soak ankle injuries in hot water: You can actually cause the swelling to worsen because heat encourages and increases blood flow. The increase in swelling puts added pressure on the nerves, which only causes more pain. Instead, you should apply ice wrapped in a towel to the injury. This will cause the blood vessels to contract, which creates a numbing sensation and prevents pain and swelling. Then get to a podiatrist to have your injury treated!

 

• An elastic bandage is not the answer for ankle injuries: Ankle sprains are often a result of torn or severely over-extended ligaments, and an elastic bandage does little to help. You need to be immediately evaluated by a podiatrist, get an x-ray, have your ankle immobilized with a cast or splint, and possibly receive physical therapy to ensure the ankle properly heals. In some cases, surgery may be required.

 

If you have suffered a foot and/or ankle injury, it is imperative that you have your injury evaluated by a skilled podiatrist. No injury is ever too minor to have it evaluated; the future of your foot health may depend on it.

To request an appointment with one of our highly skilled podiatrists, please click here.

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