Don't be Scared to Take Care of Your Health Needs even with Covid-19 Still Present!

"I can still bear weight, so it must just be a bad bruise" said my friend when she sent me this photo of her painful, swollen and bruised foot resulting from a pancake griddle catastrophe over a week ago!  So many things wrong with this statement!

First of all, just because you can bear weight doesn't mean there isn't a fracture.  Some bones of the foot and ankle do not bear weight so they may not be very painful when you stand on them.  Some bones fracture where the tendons attach so they may only be painful when you walk, not when you stand.  And some bones break in places that are only vaguely painful.  BUT if there is an injury that has swelling and bruising after a week, you must get an x-ray to rule out a fracture!

Cute Sandals!

Why do you need to rule out a fracture if there is no pain you ask?  Because not all fractures will heal properly on their own, especially in the feet because your feet support your full body weight and are subject to many different forces.  Because some fractures may not heal at all if they are in an area that does not have adequate oxygenation.  Because some fractures heal in abnormal positions that will affect the function of your feet (and ambulation) down the road.  So don't wait!

Yes, we are all worried about contracting Covid-19, but many podiatry offices are open for urgent and essential needs.  Injury is considered an essential health care need.  So PLEASE see a podiatrist if you have an injury, especially one that results in swelling for more than a few days!