Your feet and ankles handle a lot of pressure and stress daily, making them more susceptible to fractures than other body parts.

Stress fractures usually develop slowly and may show intermittent symptoms, that are hard to diagnose. Some signs to look for are, swelling, redness, and warmth. Your foot doctor can often detect a possible stress fracture during a foot exam and may order X-rays or an MRI to confirm the diagnosis. Because of the severity of fractures, it’s important to receive care and treatment ASAP.

Treatment For Stress Fractures Includes…

Immobilize the foot – The only way to effectively heal a stress fracture is to allow the break to heal completely. Your foot doctor may prescribe an immobilizing cast or walking boot, and the initial healing period can take anywhere from four to twelve weeks or more, depending upon the severity of the injury.

Physical therapy – Carefully selected strength and flexibility exercises will be necessary to gradually improve the affected area without causing reinjury.

Slow reintroduction of activities – Slowly introduce sporting and exercise activities. Use low-impact swimming and cycling until you and your foot doctor determine that more stressful activities can be tolerated.

Surgery – In more severe cases a stress fracture may develop into a complete fracture that may require surgery. A recovery period and proper physical therapy lasting six months or longer may be required.

Good news! West Hartford Podiatry offers same-day emergency care services! We are ready and eager to help treat various foot and ankle conditions, diseases, and injuries, including Achilles tendon ruptures, ankle fractures, and foot fractures. If you need immediate podiatry care, give us a call!

At West Hartford Podiatry Associates, Marc Lederman, DPM, and Kurt Rode, DPM, treat a variety of foot and ankle conditions such as ankle sprains, fractures, running injuries, sports injuries, pediatric foot care, bunions, hammertoes, heel pain, and neuromas. We provide the best podiatric solutions to patients of all ages in Hartford County. Contact us for your foot and ankle needs. Our office is at 2531 Albany Ave, West Hartford, CT 06117.