A full one quarter of the bones in your body — 26 — are located in your feet and ankles and these bones all work together to provide support, mobility, and balance for your entire body. In the course of these duties, your bones may fracture, requiring the attention of a podiatrist like Dr. John Scheffel. At Scheffel Foot Center, Dr. Scheffel helps his patients in Worcester, Massachusetts, overcome foot and ankle fractures, helping them get back on their feet as quickly as possible. For more information, call or use the online scheduling tool.
Your foot and ankle are mechanical marvels where 26 small bones come together to provide support, balance, and mobility for your entire body. The main groups of bones consist of:
As you can see, this complex system also leaves ample opportunity for bone fractures.
As with any broken bone, there are a number of reasons why the bones in your foot or ankle may fracture. That said, the most common causes of foot and ankle fractures include:
Again, it’s impossible to list the many situations where your bones may fracture, but the important part is recognizing when there’s a problem so you can get the medical help you need with Dr. Scheffel.
The main symptoms of a fracture include:
If you’re at all unsure about whether you have a fracture, the best course of action is to see Dr. Scheffel to confirm, or rule out, a fracture in order to determine next steps.
After reviewing your symptoms and examining your foot, Dr. Scheffel orders X-rays, which are the best way to determine whether you’ve fractured a bone in your foot or ankle.
If he confirms a fracture, Dr. Scheffel recommends a treatment based on the degree of the fracture and its location. These treatments may include:
If your fracture is severe or you have several fractures in one area, Dr. Scheffel may recommend surgery to repair the bone.
If you suspect you have a fracture in your foot or ankle, call Scheffel Foot Center or fill out the online form to request an appointment.
