How long does a fractured foot stay swollen?

After you suffer an injury, swelling usually worsens over the first two to four days. It can then last for as long as three months as the body attempts to heal itself. If the swelling lasts longer than this, your physical therapist or doctor may need to take a closer look to determine the cause of the delayed healing.

Why is my foot still swollen after a fracture?

Swelling is a normal component of the healing process. However, excessive swelling can be harmful or indicative of overuse/irritation to the injured area. Typically, with swelling we recommend frequent icing. Ice for 15-20 minutes at a time multiple times a day (2-3 minimum).

How do you know if broken foot is infected?

An infection after fracture will usually cause increased pain, warmth, redness, and swelling around the affected area—more than what is considered normal. In addition, a pus pocket may form and, if it bursts, pus will drain from the injury. You may also have a fever, chills, and night sweats.

Does swelling mean healing?

We traditionally use ice, soft tissue massage and elevation to help reduce swelling. But that initial swelling is part of the body’s healing response. Warmth is caused by vessels migrating to the site of the injury, and massage can displace the tissues that are trying to heal.

What happens if swelling doesn’t go down?

“If not treated appropriately, the swelling can become chronic, or long term. Chronic swelling leads to tissues becoming more rigid and less pliable than their healthy counterpart. Less pliable tissues are more susceptible to further injury.”

Why is my broken foot a different color?

Bruising doesn’t always happen with a broken bone. However, if you do have bruising, it’ll change colors and start to fade over time. Your body slowly absorbs the blood, which is why the bruise changes colors.

Is swelling normal after a fracture?

Bone repair begins within just a few hours of the injury. You get a healthy swelling around the break as a blood clot starts to form.

Can you get a blood infection from a broken bone?

Can you get an infection from a fracture? The simple answer is yes. However, most broken bones do not lead to infections. In rare cases, fractures, particularly open fractures, can lead to infection and a long treatment and recovery process.

What happens if a broken foot doesn’t heal properly?

When a bone fracture is untreated, it can result in either a nonunion or a delayed union. In the former case, the bone doesn’t heal at all, which means that it will remain broken. As a result, swelling, tenderness, and pain will continue to worsen over time.

When should I worry about swelling after injury?

If your swelling is chronic, or lasts longer than 2-3 weeks, you should see your doctor. Your doctor will be able to recommend medication, exercise or therapy to resolve the swelling. Remember, swelling is the body’s reaction to an injury; if the swelling is still present, so is the injury.

How long does a swollen foot take to heal?

How long does swollen foot last? Most minor-to-moderate injuries will heal within 2 to 4 weeks. More severe injuries, such as injuries that need a cast or splint, will need a longer time to heal, up to 6 to 8 weeks. The most serious injuries will need surgery to reduce the bone and allow the ligaments to heal.

How long does it take for fibular fracture swelling to go down?

The time for disappearance of the swelling in 50 per cent of the patients was 18.6 weeks. The development of oedema is not related to the age and sex of the patients, the configuration, type and level of the fractures, or the association of a fibular fracture. The bone healed quicker in those who did not have swelling of the foot.

Do bone fractures heal faster with swelling or without swelling?

The bone healed quicker in those who did not have swelling of the foot. Once the swelling has developed, it seems to run its own course and its disappearance is not related to the age and sex, the configuration, type and level of fractures, the association of a fibular fracture, or the time for fracture healing.

Will a broken foot heal on its own?

The short answer is- yes it will very likely heal, but there are many variables that go into how long one will swell. These include, age, weight, activity, shoes, type of injury etc.If you are concerned enough, then go get your foot x-rayed and see what is going on. To see is to know, not to see is to guess.