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Foot and ankle injuries are common. Broken bones, dislocations, sprains, contusions, infections, and other serious injuries can happen at any time. Early treatment is important to prevent further injury. Seek immediate
treatment whenever you sustain a foot or ankle injury.
Listed below are some general myths and truths about foot and ankle injury:
Myth: "It can't be broken, because I can move it."
Truth: This myth has kept many fractures from receiving proper treatment. The truth is that often you can walk with certain kinds of fractures. Some common examples: breaks of the thinner of the two leg bones; small "chip" fractures of either foot or ankle bones; and the frequently neglected fracture of a toe.
Myth: "If you break a toe, immediate care isn't necessary."
Truth: A toe fracture requires immediate attention. An X-ray will reveal the type of fracture and care by your podiatrist usually can produce rapid relief. If immediate treatment is not obtained for foot injuries, many patients develop post-fracture deformity of a toe, which in turn results in formation of a painfully deformed toe with a painful corn. A good general rule is: Seek prompt treatment for injury to foot bones.
Myth: "If you have a foot or ankle injury, soak it in hot water immediately."
Truth: Don't use heat or hot water if you suspect a fracture, sprain, or dislocation. Heat promotes blood flow, causing greater swelling and greater pressure on the nerves, leading to more pain. Apply an ice bag wrapped in a towel to the injury. The ice has a contracting effect on blood vessels, produces a numbing effect, and prevents swelling and pain. After seeing a podiatric physician, warm compresses and soaks may be used.
Myth: "Applying an elastic bandage to a severely sprained ankle is adequate treatment."
Truth: Ankle sprains often mean torn or severely overstretched ligaments, and they should receive immediate care. X-ray examination, immobilization by casting or splinting, and physiotherapy to insure a normal recovery all may be needed.
Myth: "The terms 'fracture,' 'break,' and 'crack' are all different."
Truth: All of those words are appropriate to use in describing a broken bone.
Treatment
If you do experience a foot or ankle injury, the steps you can take to help yourself until you can reach your podiatric physician are summed up in one easy to remember word . . . "RICE" This stands for:
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R - Rest . . . decrease your activity and stay off of your feet if possible.
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I - Ice . . . gently place a plastic bag filled with ice and wrapped in a towel, on the injured area in a 20-minute-on, 40-minute-off cycle.
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C - Compression . . . lightly wrap an Ace bandage around the injured area, taking care not to pull it too tight.
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E - elevation . . . sit in a position that allows you to elevate the foot higher than the waist, to reduce swelling and pain.
Cover the affected foot with a soft shoe or slipper, preferably one that your podiatrist can cut up in the office if it needs to be altered to accommodate a bulky dressing.
For bleeding cuts, clean the cut well, apply pressure with gauze pad or a clean towel, and cover with a clean dressing. It's best not to use any medication on the cut before you see the doctor.
Leave blisters unopened if they are not painful or swollen.
Foreign materials in the skin, such as slivers, splinters, and sand, can be removed carefully with a sterile instrument. A deep foreign object, such as broken glass or a needle, must be removed professionally.
Treatment for an abrasion is similar to that of a burn, since raw skin is exposed to the air and can easily become infected. Clean the abrasion well to remove all foreign material. A sterile dressing should be applied, along with an antibiotic cream or ointment.
Prevention
Prevention of foot and ankle injuries is easy. Wear the correct shoes for any activity including walking, sports, work, lawn mowing, etc. Appropriate shoes that fit well will support your feet and help to prevent falls or foot and ankle twisting that can lead to injury. Wear safety shoes if you're in an occupation which threatens foot safety. Don't walk barefoot on paved streets or sidewalks.
At home, use safety precautions to prevent accidents. Clean up spills on the floor as soon as they occur. Don't use throw rugs, or use a non-skid pad underneath the rug to prevent slipping.
If you get up during the night, turn on a light. Many fractured toes and other foot injuries occur while attempting to find your way in the dark.
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