Did you know that blunt force trauma to the top of the foot can be the most painful but also damaging? This is because the top of the foot has the least amount of tissue to serve as padding around your bones, leaving them vulnerable to an injury.
When treating blunt trauma to the top of the foot, you may notice bruising, swelling, and pain around the affected area. In order to combat these symptoms, a series of treatments can be employed. For any blunt trauma to the foot, the RICE method should be used. The RICE method is an at-home treatment that combines rest, icing, compression, and elevation of the foot to promote healing. Resting your foot will allow time for healing, taking away excess stress on your foot. Ice, compression, and elevation of the foot will help to decrease inflammation and reduce pain. When the RICE method is used immediately after the injury, it can also prevent severe bruising. In addition to the RICE method, you can take pain medications to reduce inflammation and take away some of your pain.
After a few days, if you don’t notice any improvement to your foot injury, seeking professional medical treatment is advised. Excessive or worsening pain, bruising, or swelling could be an indication of a fracture or damage to soft tissue. Depending on the severity of the injury, treatment will vary. A reduction, or realignment of the fractured bones, may be needed if the broken bones have been displaced. Once the bones are realigned, immobilization of the foot with a boot, cast or brace may be used to promote healing. Similar to fractures, immobilization is often used to treat soft tissue injuries in the foot. In very severe breaks or soft tissue injuries, surgery may be required.
If you have suffered from blunt trauma to the top of your foot, you should talk to your physician in a timely manner to ensure your injury doesn’t worsen. Dr. Bryant Ho is an expert at treating all conditions and injuries of the foot and ankle. Reach out to him for treatment today!
Dr. Bryant S. Ho is board-certified in orthopedic surgery and is trained in the operative and non-operative management of adolescent and adult foot and ankle disorders. Dr. Ho places a strong emphasis on customizing his care for each patient to ensure successful outcomes. He provides all treatment options, including preventative care, conservative management, and operative intervention.
