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Toe, Foot, and Ankle Injuries

Overview

Everyone has had a minor toe, foot, or ankle injury that caused pain or swelling. Most of the time our body movements don't cause problems. But sometimes symptoms develop from everyday wear and tear, overuse, or an injury.

Toe, foot, or ankle injuries most often occur during:

  • Sports or recreational activities.
  • Work-related tasks.
  • Work or projects around the home.

In children, most toe, foot, or ankle injuries occur during sports, play, or falls. The risk for injury is higher in sports with jumping, such as basketball. And it's higher in sports with quick direction change, such as soccer or football. Any bone injury near a joint may injure the growth plate, Opens dialog (physis) in a child. It needs to be checked.

Certain athletes, such as dancers, gymnasts, and soccer or basketball players, have a higher risk of toe, foot, or ankle injuries.

Older adults are at higher risk for injuries and fractures. That's because they lose muscle mass and bone strength as they age. They also have more problems with vision and balance. These problems increase their risk of injury.

Most minor injuries will heal on their own. Home treatment is usually all that's needed.

Sudden (acute) injury

An acute injury may occur from a direct blow, a penetrating injury, or a fall. It can also happen if you twist, jerk, jam, or bend a limb abnormally. Your pain may be sudden and severe. Bruising and swelling may start soon after your injury. Acute injuries include:

  • Bruises (contusions), Opens dialog. After an ankle injury, bruising may extend to your toes from the effects of gravity.
  • Puncture wounds, Opens dialog. Sharp objects such as nails, tacks, ice picks, knives, teeth, and needles can all cause puncture wounds. These wounds increase your risk of infection because they are hard to clean. They also provide a warm, moist place for bacteria to grow.
  • Injuries to ligaments, Opens dialog that support your joints.
  • Injuries to tendons, Opens dialog, such as ruptured tendons in your heel (Achilles tendon, Opens dialog). Children ages 8 to 14 may have a condition known as Sever's disease. It causes injury to the growing bone where the Achilles tendon is attached. This usually occurs during activity and is relieved with home treatment.
  • Injuries to your joints (sprains, Opens dialog). If a sprain doesn't seem to be healing, you may have a condition called osteochondritis dissecans (OCD). It causes lasting symptoms. In OCD, a piece of bone or cartilage (or both) inside a joint loses blood supply and dies. Symptoms include pain and swelling.
  • Pulled muscles (strains, Opens dialog). Muscles of the foot and ankle can be strained. They can also rupture.
  • Broken bones (fractures, Opens dialog), such as a broken toe.
  • A bone moving out of place (dislocation, Opens dialog).
  • A crushing injury, which can lead to compartment syndrome, Opens dialog.

Overuse injuries

Overuse injuries occur when too much stress is placed on your joint or other tissue. It often happens when a person "overdoes" an activity or repeats the same activity over and over. Overuse injuries include:

Treatment

Treatment for your toe, foot, or ankle injury may include first aid (such as using a brace, splint, or cast), a special shoe (orthotic device), physical therapy, or medicine. In some cases, surgery is needed. Treatment depends on:

  • The location and type of injury, and how bad it is.
  • When the injury occurred.
  • Your age, your overall health, and your activities (such as work, sports, or hobbies).
Information about Toe, Foot, and Ankle Injuries

Current as of: July 31, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.