How many bones are in the feet and ankles?

Each of your feet contains 26 bones, which account for one-quarter of the total bones in your body. These small bones belong to the following categories:

• Phalanges (the toes)
• Sesamoids (two tiny bones in the ball of your foot)
• Metatarsals (the bones that connect to your toes)
• Tarsals (the bones in your midfoot area)
• Calcaneus (the heel bone)

Conversely, your ankle is made up of only three bones:

• Talus (the bone that connects to your heel)
• Tibia (the bone on the inside of your ankle)
• Fibula (the bone on the outside of your ankle)

What are the most common causes of foot and ankle fractures?

The most common causes of foot and ankle fractures are:

• Car accidents that cause crushing injuries
• Trips and falls
• Sports-related injuries
• Dropping something heavy on your foot
• Overuse, or stress fractures
• Osteoporosis
• Missteps, twists, and stubs

What are the symptoms of a fracture?

When you fracture a bone in your foot or ankle, the first thing you notice is the pain. From there, other symptoms may include swelling, bruising, and tenderness. You may also be incapable of bearing extra weight, and an obvious dislocation may be present.

These symptoms vary depending on the severity of your fracture. If the pain is mild to moderate, and doesn’t go away after a day or two, make an appointment with Dr. Dunn for an evaluation. If the pain is severe and there is an obvious dislocation, or the skin is broken, seek emergency care right away.

How are foot and ankle fractures treated?

Dr. Charisse Dunn treats each fracture individually, taking several factors into account, such as the location and severity of your fracture, as well as your lifestyle needs.

With these in mind, Dr. Dunn recommends a treatment plan that will get you back on your feet as quickly as possible, and may include:

• Rest: Staying off the bone may help it heal
• Immobilization: Setting your bone in a cast, brace, or splint
• Physical therapy: Exercising the surrounding tissue
• Surgery: Resetting your bones using pins, plates, or screws for severe fractures

If you suspect you have a fracture in your foot or ankle, call or go online to make an appointment with Foot and Ankle Surgeon Dr. Charisse Dunn.