Foot Pain and Fractures

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UT Southwestern Medical Center is ranked the No. 1 hospital for orthopaedic care in Dallas-Fort Worth and among the best nationally by U.S. News & World Report.

Injuries to the feet can come on suddenly or take years to develop. Regardless of how injuries happen, foot pain can severely limit activities.

UT Southwestern Medical Center’s orthopaedic surgery team is made up of specialists who focus on specific areas of the body, resulting in highly specialized care. Our multidisciplinary team of foot and ankle surgeons, physical therapists, primary care sports physicians, and advanced practice providers has advanced skills and tools to help restore function to injured feet for patients of all ages and activity levels. We work together to create a comprehensive treatment plan for each patient with a foot injury.

Xray image of human feet showing bones, joints, toes and skeletal structure

What Are Foot Pain and Fractures?

Foot sprains, strains, and fractures (bone breaks) are common injuries that can result from a sports injury, fall, or accident.

A sprain occurs when ligaments in the foot are torn or partially torn. A fracture happens when a bone in the foot breaks. Other foot pain can result from sudden injury or long-term wear. Any foot condition can make it difficult or painful to walk.

What Are the Types of Foot Pain and Fractures?

Foot pain and fractures can include conditions such as:

Stress fractures, or small cracks in the bones of the foot
Acute fractures, which are more severe breaks in the foot
Heel pain, often caused by plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis
Arthritis, which is joint inflammation
Tendon injuries, including Achilles tendonitis and tendon tears
Sports-related sprains, strains, and fractures

Why Choose UT Southwestern for Foot Pain and Fracture Care?

UT Southwestern’s physicians work to provide each patient with attentive, personalized care to relieve the pain and mobility problems associated with foot conditions.

We offer the latest treatments, such as regenerative medicine or extracorporeal pulse activation therapy (EPAT). We recommend evidence-based solutions and work in partnership with patients to create individual treatment plans that best achieve the outcome the patient wants. Patients also have access to clinical trials, when appropriate.

Patients benefit from:

Fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeons with experience treating many types of foot injuries
Advanced imaging and diagnostic tools to assess injuries and guide treatment decisions
A full range of nonsurgical and surgical treatment options
Care from a leading academic medical center with deep orthopaedic expertise

What Are the Symptoms of Foot Pain and Fractures?

Symptoms of a sprain or fracture of the foot include:

Pain that worsens when the patient bears weight on the hurt foot
Swelling or bruising
Restricted range of motion or instability

How Are Foot Pain and Fractures Diagnosed?

To diagnose a foot injury and assess its severity, we will examine the foot and get a history of the injury. The doctor might order additional tests to determine the extent of the injury. These include:

X-rays
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which can help spot stress fractures and soft-tissue injuries, such as foot ligament sprains
Computed tomography (CT) scan, which offers a comprehensive view of the bones and joints
Musculoskeletal ultrasound, which delivers results faster than MRI or CT scans, shows movement within joints, and can be combined with ultrasound-guided injections

How Are Foot Pain and Fractures Treated?

Our care team develops evidence-based, personalized treatment plans to help patients achieve their movement goals.

We often use rest and anti-inflammatory medication to manage foot sprain pain. Other conservative treatments include:

Casts, splints, or boots
Physical therapy
Regenerative injections, in which a small amount of blood is drawn and spun in a centrifuge to separate the platelets; the platelets are then injected into the foot to speed healing
Shockwave therapy or extracorporeal pulse activation therapy (EPAT), which uses pressure waves to stimulate blood flow and help promote healing

Foot Surgery

Many foot sprains and fractures can heal with nonsurgical treatments. However, depending on the severity and location of a fracture, surgery might be required.

Our foot and ankle specialists work closely with each patient to determine if they require surgery. When surgery is needed, we offer minimally invasive reconstruction surgery, as well as traditional open surgery.

Our experienced surgeons are experts in total toe replacement, which features customized, 3D-printed models and components to help patients achieve their movement goals.

What Support Services for Foot Pain and Fractures Does UT Southwestern Offer?

Professional Physiotherapist Assisting Patient's Foot Rehabilitation

UT Southwestern has a wide range of support services available to patients receiving either nonsurgical or surgical care for foot conditions. The services include:

Physical therapy and rehabilitation programs
Pain management
Education to aid recovery and long-term foot health

What Clinical Trials Are Available for Foot Pain and Fractures?

UT Southwestern participates in research studies designed to improve care for people with foot problems. Some patients may be eligible to take part in clinical trials that explore new treatments or approaches.

Ask our doctors about current studies, or search for clinical trials.

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