Our team offers both non-surgical and surgical treatments for foot and ankle fractures. Many fractures can be treated with casting, splints, walking boots, and crutches to keep weight off the injured area. For more severe or displaced fractures, surgery may be necessary to realign and stabilize the bones with plates, screws, or pins. Aftercare often includes physical therapy to regain strength and mobility.
Treatment Options
If you experience sudden foot or ankle pain, swelling, or trouble bearing weight, it’s important to seek care immediately. Delaying treatment can lead to improper healing, chronic pain, and long-term complications. At Fairbanks Foot and Ankle, our experienced foot and ankle surgeon provides expert care to help patients across Alaska recover and return to an active lifestyle.
When to Seek Treatment
At Fairbanks Foot and Ankle, we specialize in diagnosing and treating foot fractures and ankle fractures for patients in Fairbanks, the Interior, and throughout Alaska. A fracture occurs when one or more bones break due to trauma, overuse, or repetitive stress. Prompt treatment is essential to ensure proper healing, reduce pain, and restore mobility.
Foot and Ankle Fractures
Fractures can happen during sports activities, falls, auto accidents, or work-related injuries. Ankle fractures are often caused by twisting or rolling the ankle, while foot fractures may occur from dropping something heavy on the foot or repetitive stress from running or hiking. Alaska’s rugged terrain and winter conditions can also increase the risk of slips and falls leading to broken bones.
Causes of
Foot and Ankle Fractures
Common symptoms of a foot or ankle fracture include sharp pain, swelling, bruising, difficulty walking, and visible deformity in the affected area. Some fractures may feel similar to a severe sprain, which is why a professional evaluation with an X-ray is important to determine the exact injury and best treatment plan.
Symptoms
Types of Foot Fractures
The foot contains 26 bones, so fractures can occur in different areas depending on the type of injury. Foot fractures may be stress fractures from repetitive use or traumatic fractures from a direct impact.
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Toe Fractures: Common breaks in the small bones of the toes, often caused by stubbing or dropping something heavy on the foot.
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Metatarsal Fractures: Breaks in the long bones of the midfoot, frequently seen in athletes and runners.
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Jones Fracture: A specific type of fracture near the base of the fifth metatarsal (on the outside of the foot), often requiring special treatment.
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Lisfranc Fracture: A serious injury involving the midfoot where multiple bones and ligaments may be damaged.
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Calcaneal (Heel Bone) Fracture: Usually caused by high-impact falls or accidents, such as slipping off icy stairs or falling while hiking.
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Navicular Fracture: A rare but significant fracture in the midfoot that can result from stress or trauma.
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Talus Fracture: A break in the bone that helps form the ankle joint, often from falls or high-energy accidents.
Proper diagnosis with X-rays or advanced imaging is crucial to determine the exact type of foot fracture and create an effective treatment plan.
An ankle fracture occurs when one or more of the three ankle bones—the tibia (shinbone), fibula (outer leg bone), or talus (ankle bone)—break. These fractures can range from minor cracks to severe breaks involving multiple bones.
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Lateral Malleolus Fracture: The most common ankle fracture, involving the fibula on the outside of the ankle.
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Medial Malleolus Fracture: A break in the inner side of the tibia at the ankle joint.
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Posterior Malleolus Fracture: A fracture at the back of the tibia, often occurring with other ankle fractures.
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Bimalleolar Fracture: Involves both the inner and outer ankle bones, usually causing instability.
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Trimalleolar Fracture: A serious injury involving the medial, lateral, and posterior malleolus.
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Pilon Fracture: A severe break where the tibia shatters at the weight-bearing surface of the ankle joint, often due to high-impact trauma like a car accident or fall.
These injuries are common in sports, falls on ice, and Alaska’s rugged outdoor activities, making professional diagnosis and treatment essential.
Types of Ankle Fractures
