Broken Bones: Stabilizing & Medical Treatment

The first thing one should do if they believe they may have broken a bone in their foot or ankle is to stabilize the injury and then elevate it. The second step is to contact your Podiatrist, Dr. Vittori, for X-rays and proper medical treatment of the injury.

Stabilizing the injury:

• Find a splint that will keep the injury from moving around. The splint can be as simple as a pillow wrapped around the foot which can be tied with a bandage.

• Do not wrap the foot too tightly. The injury needs to have blood supply circulating. The signs to be aware of if the injury is wrapped too tightly are if the injury hurts worse, turns blue, or if one is unable to wiggle their toes.

• Elevate the injury by lifting the foot at a level which is higher than the rest of the body. This will reduce swelling and pain.

• Ice can also be used to minimize the swelling and pain. Apply ice that is wrapped in a towel and do not put the ice directly on open skin.

After the injury is stabilized, contact Dr. Vittori, since treatment of broken bones varies depending upon what part of the foot or ankle is broken. 

Common treatments of broken bones in the foot or ankle:

• Some broken bones in the foot and ankle require the individual to remain off of the injury by using crutches or flat-bottom shoes.

• Other broken bones require the use of splints and casts.

• The most extreme treatment involves surgery to repair the foot.