pic

Fractures Specialist

Podiatrists & Foot and Ankle Surgeons located in Westminster, CO

Fractures services offered in Westminster, CO

Fractures share symptoms with many other foot injuries, and they can severely limit your mobility without treatment. At Pinnacle Foot and Ankle Clinic in Westminster, Colorado, Katherine Parodi, DPM, Jacob Stuart, DPM, and their team evaluate and treat stress fractures and other fractures in the foot. Schedule your podiatric evaluation over the phone or online today.

What are fractures?

Fractures are broken bones, and they can range from a tiny crack in an otherwise intact bone to a complete fracture that breaks the bone into multiple parts. Foot fractures can limit your mobility or stop you from walking altogether, depending on the fracture’s severity. While they don’t always need surgery, rehabilitation is often necessary to restore your foot’s functionality.

A common type of fracture that affects the foot is called a stress fracture. Stress fractures don’t happen suddenly because of trauma like a car accident or a fall: Instead, they develop over time because of the repeated pressure you place on your foot. Although small, stress fractures can be very painful and pose a major inconvenience. 

It’s possible to get a stress fracture because of too much activity. Your bones are constantly remodeling with new cells replacing the old. Too much activity speeds up the breakdown of bone, and if your bones can’t produce cells quickly enough to replace the broken down bone, you’re more prone to fractures. 

How are fractures diagnosed?

Fractures in the foot cause pain, swelling, and bruising. These symptoms are common among many foot conditions and injuries, so you need a professional podiatric assessment to determine if a fracture is the cause. Whether the pain sets in suddenly or gradually, the team at Pinnacle Foot and Ankle Clinic can diagnose and evaluate fractures with:

  • X-rays 
  • Bone scans
  • Computed tomography (CT) scans
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

The team interprets the results of your imaging scans to you and tells you what they mean for your outlook. They also use the results of your evaluation to plan your treatment. 

How are fractures treated?

Managing the pain from a fracture is as simple as taking over-the-counter pain relievers. However, to promote complete healing, you may need other surgical or nonsurgical treatments for a foot fracture. 

Nonsurgical treatment of a foot fracture can involve:

  • Immobilization with a brace or boot
  • Casts
  • Rest 
  • Ice packs
  • Physical therapy

The team at Pinnacle Foot and Ankle Clinic recommends surgery for fractures when other options have not provided substantial relief. Surgery for major fractures involves aligning and repairing the bone, often with screws, pins, or plates.

If you have symptoms of a foot fracture and need a detailed evaluation, call Pinnacle Foot and Ankle Clinic or book an appointment online today.