Fracture Care

If you break a bone in your foot or ankle, it’s crucial to seek fracture care. At Methuen Podiatry Associates LLP, located in Methuen, Massachusetts, board-certified podiatric surgeons and wound care specialists Nicholas A. Ciotola, DPM, Dennis Ryan, DPM, and the team diagnose and treat foot and ankle fractures in people of all ages. After an exam and X-rays, they can make personalized treatment recommendations to encourage healing. Call Methuen Podiatry Associates LLP to request a fracture care consultation, or book your appointment online today.

What is fracture care in podiatry?

Fracture care is a podiatry subspecialty that diagnoses and treats broken bones in the feet, ankles, or toes. 

Your feet and ankles have various bones and joints that move together, providing a full range of motion. Though tough, these hard tissues aren’t invincible and are susceptible to injury and general wear-and-tear. 

If you step down awkwardly and hear a pop or drop something heavy on your foot and it swells, contact Methuen Podiatry Associates LLP immediately.

Who can benefit from podiatry fracture care?

Make an appointment with the Methuen Podiatry Associates LLP team if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Difficulty walking or bearing weight
• Inflammation, redness, and tenderness
• A visible abnormality, such as a bump or a knot
• Bruising
• Throbbing pain

Sometimes, foot and ankle fractures develop slowly over an extended period. If you have a dull ache in your foot or heel pain that comes and goes, schedule an appointment at Methuen Podiatry Associates LLP. 

What happens during a fracture care visit?

Your Methuen Podiatry Associates LLP provider reviews your medical records, asks about your symptoms, and examines your foot and ankle. They look for redness, bruising, or swelling and gently press on different areas, checking for sensitivity. 

Your provider tests your range of motion, muscle strength, and reflexes and runs different tools across your feet and legs, checking your ability to feel sensations. Then, they order diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI, to get a closer look at your bones, joints, and the surrounding tissues.

What does podiatry fracture care involve?

The Methuen Podiatry Associates LLP team takes a conservative and patient-centered approach to podiatry fracture care. They may recommend:

• Rest
• Ice
• Compression
• Elevation
• Immobilization with a cast or a splint

If one or more of your bones breaks into several pieces, your podiatrist might recommend another procedure, such as:

Reduction

If your bones are no longer aligned, your podiatrist moves them back into the proper position with reduction. They administer a muscle relaxant and pain medication beforehand to ensure your comfort.

Surgery

If you have a severe fracture, your podiatrist might recommend orthopedic surgery. During surgery, they use pins, plates, or screws to hold your bones in the proper position and encourage healing.

With all treatments, the goal is to help you return to your favorite activities after you heal.

Call Methuen Podiatry Associates LLP to learn more about fracture care or book your appointment online today.