Foot fractures are some of the most common work-related fractures seen in New York workers’ compensation claims. Although foot fractures easily occur, they can be some of the most difficult fractures to treat and often require extensive time off your feet and away from work. On average, workers who experience a foot fracture are away from work for 26 days. Imagine the medical bills that can pile up if you’re off work for a month! Because of the number of small bones in the foot and the constant pressure on the foot from daily tasks like walking, foot fractures can take a long time to heal or may require surgery. On top of that, foot fractures are almost always accompanied by sprains, dislocation, bruising, and swelling.
Common Types of Work-Related Foot Fractures:
- Stress Fracture: A stress fracture can occur virtually anywhere in the foot. What makes stress fractures different is that they are not caused by sudden trauma, but rather by repeated use or impact. If you spend a lot of time on your feet and you experience swelling or pain, you may have a stress fracture.
- Broken Toe: Toes can be broken if you drop a heavy object on your foot or stub your toe. There is little that can be done for a broken toe besides staying off your feet, but it is still a very common and painful injury.
- Heel Fracture: A fracture of the calcaneus (heel bone) generally occurs after an on-the-job crush injury or a fall from heights. A broken heel is usually complicated by additional injuries, such as a broken hip, and often requires surgery. Even after the foot has healed, you may have permanent joint stiffness or deformity.
- Talus Fracture: The talus is the lower bone of the ankle, which connects the ankle and the foot. This is often fractured in a car or forklift accident when the foot is jerked upward during impact. A fracture of the talus usually takes a particularly long time to heal, because that area of the foot naturally has a lesser blood supply.
- Metatarsal Fracture: The metatarsals are the five bones over the top of your foot that are connected to your toes. The base of the fifth metatarsal shares the same blood supply issues as the talus, and may also require a very long recovery time.