Broken Foot

Diagnosis of a Broken Foot

Your healthcare professional will examine your ankle, foot, and lower leg for tenderness, swelling, or deformity.

• Range of motion: Moving your foot helps assess joint and bone function.

• Observation: The provider may watch how you walk to identify abnormalities.

Imaging Tests

To confirm a broken foot, your healthcare professional may order one or more of the following:

• X-rays: Most fractures are visible, but stress fractures may not appear until healing begins.

• Bone scan: Detects breaks not seen on X-rays. A small amount of radioactive material highlights damaged bone.

• CT scan: Produces detailed images of bones and surrounding soft tissues from multiple angles.

• MRI scan: Uses radio waves and a magnetic field to visualize soft tissue and bone injuries not visible on X-rays.

Treatment for a Broken Foot

Treatment depends on which bone is broken and the severity of the injury.

Medications

• Over-the-counter pain relievers: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or similar medicines may be recommended.

Therapy

• Physical therapy: After healing, exercises restore motion, strength, and flexibility in the foot and ankle.

Surgical and Other Procedures

• Reduction: If the fracture is displaced, bones may need to be realigned. Medication may be used to relax muscles or numb the area.

• Immobilization: Keeps the bone from moving to allow healing. Methods include:

  • Cast: Common for many foot fractures.

  • Brace, boot, or stiff-soled shoe: For minor fractures.

  • Toe taping: Broken toes can be taped to the next toe with gauze between them.

• Surgery: Orthopedic surgeons may use pins, plates, or screws for severe fractures. These may be removed after healing or if they cause pain.