Could I have broken my foot?

[Halsall]

Or maybe have a stress fracture?

It's just in one foot. The problem started without any warning except that the area on top, right at the base of the toes and on the upper part of the foot, was very VERY tender. Then suddenly I noticed it had swelled right up.

That was 3 weeks ago and it's just never gone down. It subsides a bit at night when it's inactive, but during the day my ankle blows up fairly impressively, and the whole foot is puffy/swollen all the time. It now feels tight, itchy and sore, slightly red and a bit shiny, and is definitely a bit warmer to the touch than the other one. I can't get into any of my shoes and have had to buy some stretchy trainers.

I have shown it to the gp but the verdict was that it didn't look like a DVT, and was probably due to 'over-tight shoes'. Quite honestly, though, it's now getting me down and feels a bit worrying. After extensive googling I wonder if I've somehow broken a small bone somewhere, though I can't remember doing anything.

I'm due to see the gp again for another ongoing issue, but not for another 10 days. Not sure I ought to leave it that long. Any ideas? TIA.

You could have. The only way to be sure is by having an x-ray (I am a first aider). Soft tissue damage can be worse though.

I suspect I may have stress fractured something in my foot last summer. Its much, much better than it was but still not totally right. I didn't seek medical advice because it wasn't too bad and I'm daft like that. My foot wasn't swelling like yours is though. My first thought was DVT but if the GP is happy that isn't it then that's good at least.
I think I would be inclined to ring the practice and explain the foot is still not right, you have an appointment in 10 days, would it be worthwhile them referring you for an x-ray in the mean time? If they will do that then you can see them with the benefit of the x-rays (hopefully). I don't think it needs A&E attention but the swelling you describe is clearly quite significant and I would bring that to the GP's attention. If they won't do a x-ray request then I would ask for an earlier appointment.

Hmmm. Thanks both, I was dithering over whether or not I should go to our local Urgent Care Centre (it deals with minor injuries, sprains, possible broken bones etc, and can X-ray). I might give it a whirl tomorrow.

Sorry, Northern, x-posted! Good idea, I might try a combination of all your suggestions.

This sounds identical to an injury I suffered about 18 months ago. I saw the GP twice and he said it was ligament damage then I took myself to a podiatrist and he said he was 95% sure it was a stress fracture of one of the small bones on the top of the foot (metatarsal, maybe?). I never did get it x-rayed as the podiatrist said there would be little point unless the hospital was going to give me an air boot and even that wasn't likely to shorten the repair time markedly. He recommended ice packs, rest with my foot up and painkillers, and not to expect it to fix itself overnight, also proper supporting shoes, no sandals etc. He was right, in that the rest/ice etc. helped but it took many weeks to get better and I'd say more like 9 months before it was fully right - I also had considerable pain from my knee 'compensating' for the foot when walking and it's still not 100% right (although I am overweight). On balance, I wish that I had gone to A&E with it and I think that's what you should do - do you have a minor injuries unit nearby?

I meant to say, I didn't know what had caused it either - I had a long day with lots of walking (in probably not very suitable shoes) but no falls or trips etc.

Hi' Id second the idea of an xray to know for sure.

I had morton's neuroma show up in my foot around the same time i broke a bone, took ages to get it diagnosed as the pain and swelling was put down to the break.

Hope you get it sorted, xx

9 months! ?? Gosh, inmyhead, poor you. And Finally. I did wonder about arthritis but it seems odd that it's just one foot, and the idea of a break seems to make more sense re the constant swelling.

Urgent Care Centre for me tomorrow, I think. Bugger

Wondering what happenee, how are you, how's the foot?

Tight, itchy, red, shiney, warm to touch....can I add cellulitis into the mix?

Although tbh cellulitis is unlikely to have hung around for 3 weeks...

Finally, thanks for asking, appreciate it. I did go to the Urgent Care Centre and got fairly short shrift, tbh! An x-ray firmly denied, and I was in and out within less than 5 mins. The verdict was an inflamed ligament at the front of the ankle and an aside that 'you have to expect this at your age (55!) because everything starts going south' - gee, thanks - but I'm still wondering whether that really explains it.

Actually the night I originally posted, it became horribly itchy and flared up with an awful nettle-rash type thing. It still hasn't quite stopped itching, though I bought some OTC anti-histamines, which have helped.

I've had the foot elevated a lot more and used ice-packs, so it's a bit better, but still not right. Wondering about seeing a podiatrist, maybe.

Edwinias, I wondered about cellulitis too but it's not that red/tight, thankfully!

Hi Halsall, I was thinking about you and wondering how you got on because just today my OH was walking behind me and mentioned that I still looked as if I was limping slightly (so my initial problem was now at least a year and a half ago). That sounds a bit dismissive of your UCC not even x-raying you - and how rude to tell you it's an age thing! I think part of the problem is that even if they can see a broken bone, there's not much that can be done about it (as I understand it) because it isn't ideal to put the foot in plaster which would immobilise you for weeks. Sorry I can't think of any more helpful ideas but hopefully it's of some comfort that at least someone has looked at it and given you a second opinion that it's ligament. I'll keep my fingers crossed that you continue to improve and it doesn't drag on for too long - use it as an excuse to sit on the sofa and eat chocolate!

inmyhead it's very kind of you to think of me too! Yes, I was a bit , I admit, I suppose because I can't quite see how my age could be the factor that determined whether or not it was broken, iyswim!

From fairly recent experience I fear this is the way it goes - I've had a few medical people trotting out the same line, eg 'oh you can expect to get aches and pains' etc etc. Anyway regardless of all that, the swelling has come down quite a bit, but it's still not right by any means.

I'll happily take your prescription for chocolate & sofa though . Thank you!