Foot Trauma and Injuries

Defining Your Foot Trauma or Injury

Foot injuries can happen suddenly or over time. Sometimes they may be the result of a sport injury, car accident, or other circumstances of everyday life. Whatever the case may be, we’re ready to diagnose your foot trauma or injury and treat it quickly and with care.

Here are some of the things we treat at FCNY:

Fractures

A broken bone in the foot or ankle is called a fracture, and can involve injury to surrounding ligaments. Fractures can happen for many reasons, and often show signs like pain, swelling, bruising, or not being able to put weight on your foot. If you think you have a fracture, see a medical expert right away—delays in care could make your injury worse, causing it to take longer to heal or prevent it from healing properly.

Stress Fracture

Stress fractures are tiny cracks in the bone, often caused by overuse or repetitive movement. Athletes like runners and dancers are especially at risk due to the stress they put on their legs and feet. Like many other fractures, it’s essential to seek medical care right away if you start noticing signs like ongoing pain, bruising, or swelling.

Shin Splints

Shin splints cause pain along the front or inner edge of your lower leg, usually after repetitive stress or high-impact activities like running or dancing. They often happen when you increase exercise too quickly or wear unsupportive footwear. Rest, ice, and proper shoe support are essential for healing. Physical therapy and stretching can also help prevent future flare ups.

Ankle Sprains & Strains

Sprains happen when ligaments (the tough bands that hold bones together) around a joint stretch or tear. Sprains usually come from twisting or rolling your ankle. A strain is a stretch or tear also, but it’s a stretch or tear to the muscles or tendons (the fibrous tissue that connects muscle to bone). Strains around the ankle usually come from overuse or sudden movement. Both affect muscles or tendons, often causing swelling, bruising, and trouble walking.

Foot Sprains & Strains

Sprains and strains in the foot happen when soft tissues get overstretched in the midfoot or forefoot, often caused by a twist, trip, or fall. You may feel pain, tenderness, and swelling in the arch or top of your foot. Treatment often includes rest, supportive shoes, and in some cases, physical therapy.

Turf Toe

Turf toe is a sprain of the big toe joint, usually caused by hyperextension of the big toe. It’s commonly seen in athletes who play turf sports, like football and soccer. With turf toe, you may experience pain, stiffness, difficulty moving your big toe, and trouble pushing off when walking or running. The RICE protocol (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) can help minimize stress on the joint as it heals. In more serious cases, turf toe may require physical therapy or surgery.

Tendon Tears

Tendons are strong cords that connect muscle to bone. If a tendon tears—like an Achilles tendon—you may feel a sudden sharp pain, swelling, or weakness in the area. Tendon tears can stem from a sudden trauma (like a fall or twist) or chronic overuse (repetitive movements that lead to tiny tears in the tendon over time). Early diagnosis is important to avoid long-term issues. Treatment can range from rest and immobilization to surgical repair.

Lacerations

Lacerations (also known as cuts) on the foot can range from mild to serious. Deep lacerations may need stitches and carry the risk of infection if not treated quicky. It’s important to see a doctor immediately after a deep cut on the foot to ensure the wound is dressed properly and to receive a tetanus shot, if needed.

Puncture Wounds

Puncture wounds in the foot are often caused by stepping on a sharp object, like a nail or glass. They should always be treated right away and checked for internal damage to prevent infection. This is especially crucial if you have diabetes or poor circulation, as untreated puncture wounds may increase your risks of more serious issues down the road. A podiatrist can help you clean the wound and treat it with antibiotics and a tetanus shot, if necessary.

Torn Toenail

A torn or lifted toenail can happen for many reasons, including sudden trauma (like stubbing your toe or dropping something on it), repetitive strain, fungal nail infections, skin conditions, chemicals, and many other causes. It can be very painful and often leads to bleeding or swelling. If not properly cleaned and protected, torn nails can become infected. Treatment usually includes gentle trimming, cleaning, bandaging, and sometimes antifungal or antibiotic care.

Blisters

Blisters are small, fluid-filled bubbles on the skin caused by friction, burns, or pressure—often from shoes that don’t fit well. While small blisters usually heal on their own, larger or more broken ones can lead to pain or infection. Keep the area clean, dry, and protected with a bandage or blister pad. If the blister becomes red, swollen, or filled with pus, it’s time to seek medical care.

Burns

Whether from heat, chemicals, or friction, burns on the foot need expert attention to heal properly and avoid long-term damage. Proper cleaning and wound care are critical to avoid infection or scarring. Treatment typically includes cleaning the burn, applying a sterile dressing, and managing the pain. For more severe burns, skin grafts or surgery may be needed.