how do i know if my foot is broken?

Question

I was playing soccer in my backyard, i kicked the ball but i fell down... i heard a crack.
i can walk perfectly and it doesn't hurt that much.
How do i know if it's broken (don't tell me to go to a doctor)

Should I put ice on it?

Answer 1

Watch for if it swells up or bruises because that is an indicator that its broke. You may have just cracked a knuckle or something though.

Answer 2

I know I'm at the end of a very long list of responses, but a quite a few of them were wrong.

First, if your foot is broken, you may be able to walk on it and wiggle your toes. What matters is the severity of the fracture and if it is displaced. Usually, there is at least a nagging pain that lasts longer than a few days. I had a friend with a "stress fracture" that did not cause any bruising or swelling, but hurt consistently for a couple of weeks.

Also, if you heard a pop, you may have forced a joint to move unnaturally (similar to popping your knuckles). You may not have broken your bones or even had any soft tissue damage (sprain/strain). If it stretched too much when it popped, you could result with strained muscles or ligaments. When this has happened with me or people I know, you can sometimes feel the pain into your calf and easily recognize where the soft tissue is that was stressed. You can have a lot of bruising and swelling with this, but it is usually hard to walk.

Anyway, if I were in your situation, I would not go to the doctor or a nurse. If it's not hurting that bad, just take it easy for a few days and take an anti-inflammatory/pain reliever. I worked in an ER for a couple of years, and that is what doctors prescribe even for mild stress fractures, though sometimes they give you one of those giant booties to wear, but I would rather just leave it up to me to take it easy than to wear one of those.

So, my advice: don't bother with the doctor. Take it easy. If it's hurting, don't do it. If it doesn't hurt, you're probably fine. Take something for possible inflamation. If it hasn't improved after 4-5 days, consider asking a doctor.

Answer 3

if you can walk perfectly and it does not hurt that much then you most likely did not break anything.

If it were broken there would be swelling and discoloration, You would not be able to walk with out a great deal of pain. You would even be in great pain if you were not trying to walk.

the crack was most likely a tendon snapping ( not tearing)

Answer 4

You realize that if it is broken (which you would only know through an x-ray) it could heal deformed unless a doctor resets it.

The others are right that you would be in more pain though, I broke my arm and it was HORRIBLE! It swelled the size of a balloon too.

Answer 5

Its probably just sprained, if it were broken you would be in alot of pain right now. I know you said don't tell me to go to the doctor but I would just to be on the safe side. If it doesn't hurt that much then its not broken.

Answer 6

There is no to tell with out a x-ray there are so many type o fx. do not out ice on it the pain will get worse. you can put hot compresses to minimize the swelling. raise your foot to hart level as well.

Answer 7

See a Doctor or Podiatrist.
Get an X-Ray if needed.

Answer 8

If you can't move your foot or your toes, it is broken, and if you are experiencing extreme pain, it could be broken.

Or if you have an x-ray machine at home you could take an x-ray.

.

Answer 9

well be very gentle and try moving it around in a couple of circles and then if ur in way to much pain to handle then if u don`t want to go to tha doctor then see what u can do yo self!! ......i hope that helps u out!!

Answer 10

your foot will get very swollen and you cant walk on it because it hearts and it will take a long time to stop swelling up