Foot Fractures
What is a foot fracture?
A foot fracture is an injury where one or more of the bones of the foot breaks. The severity ranges from hairline cracks to full breaks that are capable of penetrating through the skin. Foot fractures are often a result of direct trauma, but can also be a result of a twisting injury or overuse.
Symptoms
- Sudden throbbing and/or pain in the foot
- Pain that gets worse during activity and improves with rest
- Swelling/ bruising in foot area
- Tenderness to touch
- Deformity of the foot
- Difficulty walking or bearing weight
- Sound of a crack at the time of injury
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if your foot has lost normal shape, pain or swelling doesn’t improve or worsens over time, there is an open wound or visible bone through skin, or if you have trouble walking and/or bearing weight on foot.
Note that just because you can walk or put weight on the foot, that does not guarantee you do not have a foot fracture.
Prevention
- Ensure that your cleats support your foot and are not worn out
- Change your cleats and/or studs depending on the surface you are playing on
- Schedule days off and avoid overtraining when fatigued
Recovery
- Support bone health with adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D in your diet
- RICE (rest, ice, compress, elevate)
- NSAIDs (e.g. ibuprofen) for pain and swelling