A foot or ankle fracture can happen suddenly — a fall, a missed step, a sports injury, or something heavy landing on your foot.
But not every fracture starts with a dramatic accident.
Some develop gradually from repetitive stress and may initially feel like nothing more than a stubborn ache.
At Hillside Foot & Ankle in Woodland Hills, Dr. Alfandari evaluates foot and ankle injuries to determine what was injured, how severe the injury may be, and what needs to happen next.
Because when it comes to a possible fracture, getting the diagnosis right matters.
Sudden pain, swelling, bruising, or difficulty walking can be a sign of a fracture—even if you can still put weight on the foot. Dr. Ronny Alfandari evaluates foot and ankle injuries and coordinates appropriate imaging, protection, and follow-up care.
It's not always obvious.
Some fractures cause immediate severe pain and make it nearly impossible to walk. Others allow you to continue bearing weight despite a broken bone.
Symptoms of a foot or ankle fracture may include:
Being able to walk does not necessarily mean you don't have a fracture.
If pain is significant, persistent, or associated with swelling and difficulty bearing weight, an evaluation may be appropriate.
This is one of the most common questions after a foot or ankle injury. Unfortunately, symptoms can overlap.
Both fractures and sprains can cause:
A sprain primarily involves ligament injury, while a fracture involves a break in the bone.
And sometimes both can occur during the same injury.
Instead of guessing based on bruising, swelling, or whether you can walk, a clinical examination and appropriate imaging can help determine what actually happened.
With 26 bones in each foot, there are many places a fracture can occur. Location matters.
The metatarsals are the long bones extending through the middle and forefoot.Metatarsal fractures can occur after twisting injuries, falls, direct trauma, sports injuries, or repetitive stress.Treatment depends heavily on which metatarsal is involved and where the fracture is located.
Pain and swelling along the outside of the foot can sometimes indicate an injury to the fifth metatarsal.Different types of fifth metatarsal fractures behave differently. Some heal reliably with conservative treatment, while certain fractures may require more careful immobilization, monitoring, or surgical consideration because of the blood supply in that area.
A stubbed toe can be much more than an inconvenience. Toe fractures commonly occur after hitting furniture, dropping an object on the foot, or during athletic activity. Depending on alignment and severity, treatment may involve protection, supportive footwear, immobilization, or additional intervention.
The sesamoids are small bones underneath the big-toe joint that experience substantial pressure during walking and push-off. Injuries can cause persistent pain beneath the ball of the foot, particularly in runners, dancers, and active individuals.
The calcaneus — or heel bone — can be injured during significant falls or high-impact trauma.These injuries require careful evaluation because the heel plays a critical role in weight-bearing and walking mechanics.
The ankle is formed by several bones working together to create a stable weight-bearing joint.
Fractures may involve:
Ankle fractures may be stable and nondisplaced or unstable and displaced. A clinical examination and appropriate imaging help determine the fracture’s alignment, the stability of the ankle joint, and whether treatment may involve immobilization, weight-bearing restrictions, close monitoring, or surgical evaluation.
The important question isn't simply: "Is it broken?"
It's: "What kind of fracture is it, is the ankle stable, and what treatment gives it the best opportunity to heal correctly?"
Get a clear diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan designed to protect your foot or ankle and support proper healing.
Not every fracture happens from one traumatic event. A stress fracture develops when repetitive loading causes microscopic bone damage faster than the body can repair it.
Stress fractures are particularly common among:
Symptoms may initially be subtle.
You might notice pain only toward the end of a workout.
Then it begins earlier.
Eventually, even normal walking may hurt.
One classic sign is localized pain over a specific area of bone that worsens with weight-bearing activity.
Continuing to train through a stress fracture can potentially allow a small injury to progress.
Dr. Alfandari may evaluate:
Imaging may then be recommended when clinically appropriate.
This is important.
Certain fractures and stress injuries may not always be readily apparent on initial X-rays. If symptoms and examination findings continue to raise concern, additional imaging or follow-up evaluation may be appropriate.
Persistent focal pain deserves attention — even if an early X-ray didn't show an obvious fracture.
This is when we introduce our regenerative approach.
Depending on the diagnosis and stage of recovery, additional therapies may be considered to address surrounding soft-tissue symptoms, pain, stiffness, or other issues encountered during rehabilitation.
At Hillside Foot & Ankle, treatment does not stop after placing the foot or ankle in a boot. Dr. Alfandari follows each injury from diagnosis through healing and return to activity—monitoring bone alignment while also evaluating swelling, joint motion, strength, balance, gait, and the surrounding tendons and ligaments.
Once the fracture has reached an appropriate level of stability, the recovery plan may include:
Our regenerative, recovery-focused approach is designed to complement proper fracture care—not replace immobilization, follow-up imaging, or surgery when those treatments are necessary.
Our goal is not simply to see healing on an X-ray. It is to help you regain strength, function, and confidence as you return to the activities you enjoy.
Fractures and sprains can both cause pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty walking. A sprain involves the ligaments, while a fracture involves a break in the bone—and both injuries can occur together. A clinical examination and appropriate imaging are often needed to determine the correct diagnosis.
Yes. Some people can still walk or bear weight with certain foot or ankle fractures. Being able to walk does not rule out a broken bone. Persistent pain, swelling, bruising, or tenderness directly over a bone should be evaluated.
Yes. Stress fractures begin as very small cracks and may not appear on an early X-ray. If pain remains localized or worsens with activity despite a normal X-ray, follow-up imaging—such as repeat X-rays or an MRI—may be recommended.
Many uncomplicated fractures take approximately six to eight weeks to heal, but some ankle fractures and stress fractures may take longer. Healing time depends on the bone involved, fracture location, alignment, stability, overall health, and how closely activity and weight-bearing instructions are followed. Returning to sports or strenuous activity may take longer than the bone-healing period.
A walking boot is not appropriate for every injury. Until you are evaluated, limit weight-bearing and avoid activities that increase pain. If a boot has already been prescribed and properly fitted by a medical professional, follow those instructions. Otherwise, an examination should determine whether you need a boot, splint, cast, supportive shoe, or crutches.
Seek emergency care for:
If you are unsure about the severity of an injury, contact a medical professional for guidance.
Early evaluation can help protect the injured area and prevent additional damage.
Dr. Ronny Alfandari, DPM | Podiatrist Encino | Woodland Hills | Calabasas
Foot & Ankle Fracture Podiatrist | Woodland Hills, CA | Foot & Ankle Specialist Near Calabasas, CA
Suspect a broken foot, ankle fracture or stress fracture? Get prompt evaluation, imaging guidance and personalized treatment in Woodland Hills.
Office: (747) 207-4449
Email: office@hillsidefootankle.com
6200 Canoga Ave suite 410, Woodland Hills, CA, USA
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