If my foot is injured and swollen, could it be a fracture?

Generally speaking, whether swelling after a foot injury indicates a fracture depends on specific symptoms. If the swelling is mild, there is no obvious deformity, and slight movement is possible, it is usually a soft tissue injury without fracture. However, if the swelling is severe, accompanied by visible deformity, limited mobility, or a grating sensation (crepitus) when pressing on the area, a fracture may be present and further medical evaluation is needed.

If the injury involves only soft tissues, the swelling is typically caused by local blood vessel rupture and fluid leakage into surrounding tissues. There may be mild pain, but no obvious deformation of the foot. Tenderness occurs mainly in the soft tissue areas upon palpation, with no bone crepitus or grating sensation. In such cases, immediate cold application can help reduce swelling, followed later by heat therapy to promote blood circulation. Minimizing foot movement is also important to prevent worsening of swelling.

If swelling is severe after a foot injury, with obvious deformities such as twisted ankle or misaligned toes, intense pain during movement, inability to bear weight, or a distinct grating sensation when pressing on the bone, a fracture is likely. In such cases, avoid moving the foot unnecessarily. Immobilization using a splint or stiff cardboard can help prevent displacement of fractured bone ends.

After a foot injury with swelling, proper care is essential regardless of whether a fracture is present. During the initial phase, avoid heat therapy and excessive activity to prevent increased swelling. In later stages, gentle foot stretching exercises can be introduced according to recovery progress to support functional recovery.