Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Foot and Toe Injuries
Number of Conditions: 3
Metatarsal Fractures
Specialty: Trauma and Injuries
Category: Lower Extremity Injuries
Sub-category: Foot and Toe Injuries
Symptoms:
pain and tenderness in the foot; swelling; bruising; difficulty walking or bearing weight; visible deformity in severe cases
Root Cause:
A fracture or break in one or more of the five metatarsal bones in the foot, often caused by trauma, overuse, or repetitive stress.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination, X-rays of the foot, CT scans in complex cases.
Treatment:
Rest, immobilization with a cast or walking boot, physical therapy, and in severe or displaced fractures, surgical intervention with internal fixation.
Medications:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen to manage pain and inflammation.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common; accounts for approximately 35% of foot injuries seen in emergency departments.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High-impact sports, repetitive stress, osteoporosis, improper footwear, direct trauma.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally good with proper treatment; healing time ranges from 6 to 12 weeks. Some cases may require longer rehabilitation.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Delayed healing, malunion, chronic pain, and in rare cases, avascular necrosis (particularly of the fifth metatarsal).
Lisfranc Injury (Midfoot Dislocation)
Specialty: Trauma and Injuries
Category: Lower Extremity Injuries
Sub-category: Foot and Toe Injuries
Symptoms:
severe pain in the midfoot; swelling; bruising on the top and bottom of the foot; inability to bear weight; visible deformity in severe cases
Root Cause:
Disruption of the Lisfranc ligament complex or fractures of the midfoot bones, often caused by trauma such as falls or car accidents.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed through clinical examination, X-rays, and sometimes MRI or CT.
Treatment:
Treated with immobilization for minor cases or surgical fixation for severe injuries.
Medications:
NSAIDs like ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain control. Post-surgical patients may receive anticoagulants to prevent blood clots.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, occurring in approximately 1 in 55,000 individuals annually, often seen in athletes and trauma cases.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High-impact sports, car accidents, falls from height, osteopenia.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Dependent on the severity of the injury; mild cases recover well with treatment, but severe injuries may lead to chronic pain or arthritis.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic pain, post-traumatic arthritis, compartment syndrome, and foot deformities.
Toe Fractures
Specialty: Trauma and Injuries
Category: Lower Extremity Injuries
Sub-category: Foot and Toe Injuries
Symptoms:
pain and tenderness in the toe; swelling; bruising; difficulty walking; visible deformity in severe cases
Root Cause:
Break in one or more bones of the toes caused by trauma, such as stubbing or dropping a heavy object on the foot.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination, X-rays to confirm the fracture and assess alignment.
Treatment:
Buddy taping for non-displaced fractures, rest, ice, elevation, and in severe cases, surgery with pinning or screws.
Medications:
Over-the-counter NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen , naproxen ) for pain relief. Prescription painkillers may be used in severe fractures.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common, accounting for approximately 9% of all foot injuries seen in emergency departments.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Trauma, high-impact sports, osteoporosis, improper footwear.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent in most cases, with healing typically within 4 to 6 weeks. Severe fractures may require longer recovery.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Malunion, chronic pain, stiffness, and in rare cases, deformity.