How do foot and ankle fractures occur?
With over 26 bones, the foot and ankle are common locations for bone fractures. A fracture is a break or crack in a bone that can cause pain and swelling in the affected area. Foot and ankle fractures most commonly occur from injury, such as a fall or other event that places great force on the foot. Certain factors such as age and osteoporosis can increase a patient’s risk for fractures, and may also be a major cause, since bones begin to weaken and become brittle as we age. There are several different types of foot and ankle fractures depending on which bone is affected and the severity of the fractures. A fracture may occur in the phalanges (toes), metatarsals, talus, calaneus, tibia or fibula.
