Bone paths or fractures in the foot are usually accompanied by severe pain or even a crackling sound. There are 26 bones in each foot and each ankle joint has 3 bones. Some people also have sesamoid bones in their feet. Because the feet take a lot of weight every day, fractures and fractures are quite common. Proper diagnosis and treatment of a broken leg is very important during the recovery process and should be done with care.
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Method 1 of 4: Getting Emergency Help for a Broken Leg
Step 1. Move the patient to a safe location and check for other injuries
if the patient also has a head, neck, or back injury, move as little as possible and do so with extreme care. Patient and rescuer safety is more important than diagnosis and treatment of a broken leg.
Step 2. Take off your shoes and socks on both feet and check for common symptoms of a broken leg
Compare the legs side by side to see swelling or differences in the appearance of the legs. The most common symptoms are immediate pain, swelling, and an unnatural shape of the foot. Other symptoms include:
- Bruising or sensitivity to pain in the feet.
- Numbness, chills, or bruising.
- The presence of large wounds or visible bone.
- The pain increases when you are active, and decreases when you are at rest.
- Difficulty walking or supporting weights.
Step 3. Control bleeding
Apply pressure to the wound (use gauze if possible). If the pad or gauze becomes soaked with blood, do not remove it. Apply additional layers and continue to apply pressure to the wound.
Step 4. Call an ambulance if the patient has unbearable pain, or the leg shows major symptoms
Some of the major symptoms include abnormal foot shape, large cuts or incisions, and severe discoloration of the feet. While the ambulance is on its way, persuade the patient to remain still and calm. Keep the patient lying down, and elevate the injured leg above heart level.
Step 5. Place a splint on the injured leg, if an ambulance cannot be reached
Restrict the movement of the foot by placing a stick or newspaper rolled down the inside of the foot, from heel to big toe and supporting it with a cloth. Wrap a belt or piece of cloth around the splinted leg to secure it. If no splint is available, wrap a towel or pillow around the leg or tie it with a bandage. Do not forget, the point is to limit the movement of the legs. Tie the splint or bandage tightly, but not so tightly that it blocks the flow of blood.
Step 6. Ice the injured leg and elevate the leg to reduce swelling
Do not touch the ice directly with the skin. Wrap a towel or cloth in ice first. Let stand for 15 minutes then remove and leave for 15 minutes. The patient should not walk or place any weight on the injured leg because it is painful.
If possible, use crutches
Method 2 of 4: Recognizing Leg Cracks (Stress Fractures) in Feet
Step 1. Identify the risk factors
A fractured foot or stress fracture is a common injury to the foot and ankle. This injury often afflicts athletes due to excessive and repetitive stress on the feet, for example in marathon athletes.
- A sudden increase in activity can also result in a stress fracture. For example, if you normally don't move much but suddenly go hiking, you may have a stress fracture.
- Osteoporosis and certain conditions that affect bone strength make you more prone to stress fractures.
- Forcing yourself to do things quickly can also lead to stress fractures. For example, you will develop a stress fracture if you have never exercised before and start running 10k every week right away,
Step 2. Be aware of the appearance of pain
You may have a stress fracture if you feel pain in your foot or ankle that subsides when your foot is rested. If the pain gets worse during daily activities, you most likely have a stress fracture. This pain will get worse over time.
- The pain may be felt deep in the trunk, fingers, or ankles.
- Pain is not something that goes away on its own. If you experience consistent pain in your feet, especially during activities of daily living or while sleeping, see a doctor. The injury will only get worse if ignored.
Step 3. Look for swelling and areas that are sensitive to pain
If you have a stress invoice, it's possible that the tips of your feet are swollen and very painful to the touch. Swelling may also appear on the outside of the ankle.
Sharp pain that occurs when the area on the foot or ankle is touched is not normal. If you experience it, see a doctor immediately
Step 4. Check the bruised area
Bruises don't always show up in the case of stress invoices, but they are possible..
Step 5. See a doctor
You may be tempted to "bear" the pain of a stress fracture. This cannot be done. If not treated quickly, stress invoices will worsen over time. Your bones can even break completely.
Method 3 of 4: Follow-up Treatment for Broken Legs
Step 1. Trust the doctor's diagnosis
Depending on the symptoms, the doctor may need to perform several scans of the injured leg. The most common tests performed include X-rays, CT (Computerized Tomography) scans, and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). With these techniques, the doctor examines the foot for fractures and monitors bone healing.
Step 2. Follow the doctor's advice for follow-up treatment
In most cases, surgery is not necessary for a broken leg that is treated properly. Often the hospital will put a cast or provide crutches to keep the injured leg from being supported. The doctor will suggest elevating the leg and compressing the injury with ice to prevent swelling and recurrence.
- When using crutches, transfer your weight to your arms and hands. Don't put it all in your armpit because it will hurt the nerves in your armpit.
- Follow the doctor's orders! If you don't adhere to keeping the weight off your feet, recovery will be slow and the injury will relapse.
Step 3. Take medication as prescribed
You may be prescribed an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen. These medications will help reduce pain and swelling to aid the healing process.
- If you are scheduled to have surgery, you should stop taking the drug a week before the time of surgery. Consult your doctor or surgeon.
- Eat in the smallest possible dose. Stop taking NSAIDs after 10 days to prevent complications.
- Your doctor may also recommend increasing your intake of calcium and vitamin D, which are important for bone health.
Step 4. Have surgery, if your doctor recommends it
In most cases, doctors choose to allow the bone to heal on its own by placing a cast and limiting the patient's activities. However, sometimes the injured leg may need to be manipulated (also known as ORIF, or open reduction internal fixation) if the ends of the fractured bone are not aligned. This surgery will move the bone so that it is straight, and then put on clips that penetrate the skin so that the bone does not shift during the healing period. This healing process takes an average of 6 weeks, after which the clamp can be removed easily. In more severe cases, surgery may be needed to implant screws and sticks to keep the foot in position while it heals.
Step 5. Continue with an orthopedic or podiatrist
Even if the injury does not require surgery, an orthopedic or podiatrist will be able to monitor your healing process. If the injury recurs or other abnormalities occur during the healing period, the doctor will prescribe appropriate treatment, therapy, or surgery.
Method 4 of 4: Physical Therapy for Broken Legs
Step 1. Go to a physical therapy clinic after the cast is removed, as directed by your doctor
You can learn exercises to increase the strength and flexibility of the injured leg and prevent injury recurrence.
Step 2. Warm up at the beginning of each session
Start with a few minutes of light exercise, such as walking or stationary biking. This exercise will relax the muscles and improve blood flow.
Step 3. Stretch
Stretching is a key step in restoring your flexibility and range of motion. Follow the exercises recommended by your doctor or therapist, stretching the muscles and tendons in the injured leg. If you feel pain during stretching, consult a doctor.
A good example of stretching is stretching with a towel. Sit on the floor with one leg extended, wrapping a towel around the base of your toes. Grab the end of the towel and pull the toe towards you. You will feel a stretch in your calf all the way to your heel. Hold for 30 seconds, then rest for 30 seconds. Repeat 3 times
Step 4. Perform proper strengthening exercises
If done correctly, strength training will help restore the strength and resilience your injured foot needs to get through your day. If you experience pain during these exercises, consult a physical therapist or doctor.
An example of strength training is picking up marbles. Sit on a chair and put your feet on the floor. Place 20 marbles on the floor in front of you. Place a bowl near the marbles. Take the marbles one by one with the injured leg and place them in the bowl. This exercise should be felt on the tips of your feet
Step 5. Perform the prescribed exercises regularly
It's important to complete your recovery with a physical therapist so you can return to your daily activities quickly and reduce the risk of your injury recurring.
