Joint & Extremity
Foot Fractures
From stress fractures to Lisfranc injuries — expert foot trauma care.
The foot has 26 bones, and each can break in different ways with different consequences. Some foot fractures heal well in a boot; others — Lisfranc injuries, displaced metatarsal fractures, calcaneal fractures — can permanently disable the foot if not treated correctly. Our orthopedic trauma team has the experience to identify which is which and treat each appropriately.
Understanding the Condition
What is Foot Fractures?
Foot fractures are classified by location and mechanism. Stress fractures (most often the second or third metatarsal) come from repetitive overload — common in runners, dancers, and military recruits. Acute traumatic fractures come from falls, drops, or twisting injuries. Lisfranc injuries — disruption of the joints between the midfoot and forefoot — are particularly dangerous because they're often initially missed; untreated, they cause severe arthritis and lifelong pain.
Common Causes
- Repetitive overload (stress fractures — runners, dancers)
- Direct blow or crush injury
- Falls from height (especially calcaneus fractures)
- Twisting injuries (Lisfranc, Jones fractures)
- Osteoporosis (fragility fractures)
- Diabetic neuropathy (Charcot fractures)
Common Symptoms
- Pain with weight-bearing or activity
- Swelling and bruising — sometimes dramatic, sometimes subtle
- Pain over a specific bony point
- Inability to bear weight (suggests significant fracture)
- Visible deformity or unusual foot position
- Stress fractures: pain that worsens with activity, improves with rest
When to Seek Care
When Should You See a Specialist?
See a specialist for any inability to bear weight after a foot injury, persistent foot pain after 1–2 weeks, deformity, or pain in the midfoot after a twisting injury (which raises Lisfranc concern). Many missed Lisfranc injuries become chronic arthritis cases — early diagnosis matters.
Treatment Options
How We Treat Foot Fractures
We always begin with the least invasive treatment that's likely to work for you. Surgery is reserved for cases where conservative care has been given a fair trial — or when the situation truly requires it.
Conservative (Non-Surgical) Care
- Walking boot or cast for protected weight-bearing
- Crutches or knee scooter for non-weight-bearing periods
- Stress fracture rest (typically 6–8 weeks before resuming sport)
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Physical therapy after immobilization period
- Bone health evaluation (especially in stress fractures)
Surgical Options
- ORIF (open reduction internal fixation) for displaced fractures
- Lisfranc fixation with screws or fusion
- Jones fracture intramedullary screw fixation
- Calcaneus fracture ORIF
- Bone grafting for nonunion or delayed healing
Recovery & Outlook
What to Expect After Treatment
Stress fractures: 6–12 weeks before return to running with bone-health work. Simple metatarsal fractures: 4–8 weeks in a boot. Lisfranc injuries: 3–6 months minimum recovery, with significant arthritis risk if missed. Calcaneus fractures: 6–12 month recovery, often with permanent some-degree functional limitation in severe cases.
Related Treatments
Services That Address Foot Fractures
Foot Fractures — Frequently Asked Questions
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Get Expert Help for Foot Fractures
Our specialists can diagnose your condition and design a personalized treatment plan that gets you back to the life you love.