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It happens every day. You accidentally kick the table leg in your bare feet. Your child’s foot gets stepped on by a playmate. You’re moving a piece of furniture and drop it on your foot. The question is: Is it broken? More often than not, the answer is yes.
Broken bones in the foot are very common—about 1 out of every 10 fractures. Why? Nearly a quarter of your body’s bones are in your feet. Plus, our feet not only support our weight and absorb the shock of each step, they also help propel us as we walk or run. And, when it comes to gravity, your foot is the last body part something can hit on the way down. It’s no surprise they can take quite a beating.
Most bones break suddenly when something happens to them—when the bone is crushed, bent, twisted, or stretched. Toes can be broken when you kick something hard, stub your toe, or drop something heavy on your foot. Heels can be broken when you fall and land on your feet. And other foot bones can be broken when you twist or sprain an ankle. Bones can also break over time from repeated stress. Athletes like gymnasts and runners are at particular risk for these types of breaks, called stress fractures.
It’s important to take foot and toe injuries seriously. If you suspect a break, see a doctor as soon as possible. In the meantime, keep weight off the foot and stop doing whatever you were doing that may have caused the break. To reduce swelling, apply ice wrapped in a towel for 20 minutes at a time. You can also try an over-the-counter pain reliever to keep you more comfortable.
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