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Fractures

Our Sunshine Coast Podiatrists are experts in treating lower limb bone fractures. Lower limb bone fractures encompass a wide range of injuries that can occur at any age. Whether you’re an athlete, senior citizen, or someone who enjoys an active lifestyle, being informed about these fractures can make a significant difference in early detection and effective treatment.

What Are Lower Limb Bone Fractures?

Lower limb bone fractures refer to any breaks or cracks in the bones of the lower extremities. This includes the hips, thighs, knees, legs, ankles, feet, and toes. Fractures can vary greatly in severity and type from simple stable breaks to complex fractures involving multiple bones and joints.

Fractures are generally classified based on:

  • Location: Which bone and where in the bone the fracture has occurred.
  • Pattern: The direction and characteristics of the break (e.g., transverse, oblique, spiral).
  • Displacement: Whether the bone fragments are aligned or displaced.
  • Open vs. Closed: Whether the bone has pierced the skin (open fracture) or remains under the skin (closed fracture).
Lower Limb Fractures - Elite Foot Care - Sunshine Coast Podiatrists

Types of Lower Limb Fractures

1. Hip Fractures

Hip fractures are particularly serious injuries, especially in older adults. They usually involve a break in the upper quarter of the femur and are classified into:

  • Intracapsular Fractures: Occur within the joint capsule.
  • Extracapsular Fractures: Occur outside the joint capsule, including intertrochanteric and subtrochanteric fractures.

Risk factors include osteoporosis, decreased muscle mass, and balance issues.

 

2. Femur Fractures

Femur fractures are often high-energy injuries. They can be life-threatening due to the potential for significant blood loss. Types include:

  • Transverse Fractures: A straight horizontal line across the femur.
  • Oblique Fractures: An angled pattern.
  • Comminuted Fractures: The bone is broken into several pieces.

 

3. Knee Fractures

Knee fractures can severely limit mobility. Types include:

  • Patellar Fractures: Affect the kneecap and can impact the ability to straighten the knee.
  • Distal Femur and Proximal Tibia Fractures: Affect the bones forming the knee joint.

 

4. Tibia and Fibula Fractures

These fractures are common in both athletes and the general population. Types include:

  • Tibial Shaft Fractures: Often due to direct trauma or twisting injuries.
  • Stress Fractures: Result from repetitive stress and are common in runners.

 

5. Ankle Fractures

Ankle fractures can involve one or more bones and are often accompanied by ligament injuries. Types include:

  • Lateral Malleolus Fractures: Involving the fibula.
  • Medial Malleolus Fractures: Involving the tibia.
  • Bimalleolar and Trimalleolar Fractures: Involving two or three malleoli, respectively.

 

6. Foot and Toe Fractures

Fractures in the foot and toes can significantly impact balance and gait. Common fractures include:

  • Metatarsal Fractures: Can occur from direct trauma or overuse.
  • Jones Fracture: A fracture of the fifth metatarsal bone of the foot.
  • Toe Fractures: Often result from stubbing or dropping heavy objects on the foot.

Causes and Risk Factors

Traumatic Injuries

  • High-Impact Events: Car accidents, falls from heights.
  • Sports Injuries: Football, basketball, soccer, and other high-impact sports.
  • Occupational Hazards: Jobs requiring heavy lifting or operating machinery.

 

Overuse Injuries

  • Repetitive Stress: Activities like running or jumping.
  • Improper Training Techniques: Not using proper equipment or failing to warm up.

 

Medical Conditions

  • Osteoporosis: Decreases bone density and strength.
  • Bone Cancers or Tumors: Can weaken the structural integrity of bones.
  • Chronic Diseases: Such as rheumatoid arthritis.

 

Lifestyle Factors

  • Nutrition: Lack of calcium and vitamin D.
  • Sedentary Lifestyle: Leads to weaker bones and muscles.
  • Substance Abuse: Smoking and excessive alcohol intake affect bone health.

Fracture Symptoms

  • Immediate Pain: Sharp, intense pain at the time of injury.
  • Swelling and Bruising: Due to internal bleeding and inflammation.
  • Deformity: Visible misalignment or shortening of the limb.
  • Impaired Function: Difficulty or inability to move the affected area.
  • Skin Changes: Open wounds in the case of open fractures.

Fracture Diagnosis

At Elite Foot Care, we employ a thorough diagnostic process:

  • Patient History: Understanding the circumstances of the injury.
  • Physical Examination: Assessing the affected area for tenderness, swelling, and deformity.
  • Imaging Tests:
    • X-rays: First-line imaging to detect fractures.
    • Computed Tomography (CT) Scans: Provide detailed images for complex fractures.
    • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Useful for detecting soft tissue damage and stress fractures not visible on X-rays.

Lower Limb Fracture Treatment

Sunshine Coast Custom Orthotics

Custom Orthotics

A custom orthotic supports and aligns your lower limb putting the muscles and joints it in a position of congruence. Elite Foot Care has a state of the art custom orthotics manufacturing lab on the Sunshine Coast. This allows us to have complete control over the manufacturing process, resulting in

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Footwear Assessment

Footwear Assessments

Elite Foot Care have access to a broad range of footwear designed for all walks of life at our Woombye and Sippy Downs locations! As part of our podiatry service, our podiatrists are able to provide you with the suitable, recommended footwear options from our own footwear store. Alternatively we

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Moon Boot - Elite Foot Care

Moon Boot

Moon boots, or walking boots, are specially designed orthopedic devices used to support the foot and ankle during the recovery process from injuries or surgery. These boots help in immobilizing the affected area, reducing pain and swelling, and promoting faster healing while allowing some degree of mobility.

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Footwear Modification - Elite Foot Care

Footwear Modifications

Footwear modifications involve making specific adjustments to shoes to enhance their fit, comfort, functionality, and support. These modifications can address a range of foot and lower limb issues, helping to prevent pain and injury while promoting optimal foot health.

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Ankle Foot Orthotic - Elite Foot Care

Ankle Foot Orthotics

Custom Ankle Foot Orthotics are personalised devices designed to support the foot and ankle, correct conditions, and improve overall function and mobility. They are tailored to each patient’s anatomical specifications and specific medical conditions, offering superior support compared to off-the-shelf options.

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Exercise Prescription - Elite Foot Care

Exercise Prescription

Exercise prescription using the VALD Performance Assessment system involves tailoring rehabilitation programs based on detailed biomechanical analysis. This approach allows for the design of progressive rehab programs aimed at addressing specific patient needs, optimising recovery, and enhancing overall performance.

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Recovery and Rehabilitation

Initial Healing Phase

  • Immobilisation: Ensures proper bone alignment.
  • Monitoring: Regular check-ups and imaging to assess healing progress.

 

Rehabilitation Phase

  • Exercise Prescription Therapy: Tailored exercises to improve range of motion.
  • Ongoing Offloading: Offloading the at risk limb to reduce pressure and chance of re-occurance.
  • Nutritional Support: Diet plans to promote bone healing.

 

Return to Activity

  • Gradual Reintroduction: Slowly increasing activity levels.
  • Preventative Strategies: Techniques to avoid re-injury.

Preventing Fractures

  • Diet: Rich in calcium, vitamin D, and protein.
  • Supplements: When dietary intake is insufficient.
  • Weight-Bearing Activities: Such as walking or dancing.
  • Strength Training: Builds muscle to support bones.
  • Fall Prevention: Installing grab bars, removing tripping hazards.
  • Proper Footwear: Supportive shoes to reduce injury risk.
  • Bone Density Tests: Especially for those at risk of osteoporosis.
  • Medical Evaluations: To monitor and manage chronic conditions.
Jay Lewis Podiatrist - Elite Foot Care
Jarrod McGuinness Podiatrist - Elite Foot Care
Dean Taylor - Elite Foot Care
Daniel Neil - Elite Foot Care
Ajay Mahadev - Elite Foot Care Podiatrist
Gabrielle Riach - Elite Foot Care

Our Therapists

Our team of Podiatrists have decades of experience treating all hip, knee, leg, ankle, foot and heel pain as well as a range of skin and nail conditions including ingrown toenails, fungal nail infections and more.

They share a passion for helping the community stay strong and active, helping them achieve their ultimate health outcomes. 

Their experience combined with the best treatment technologies available, allow us to achieve the best outcomes for our community.

Benefits of a personalised treatment plan

Reduced Pain

Using the worlds best treatment technology and methods, we can accelerate your recovery to achieve your ultimate health outcome sooner.

Increased Strength

With a prescribed exercise rehab program, your surrounding muscles will strengthen and take the load off your affected tissue. The result is lasting pain relief.

Become More Active

Working with your Podiatrist to complete your personalised treatment plan, you'll be able to do more of the things you love with friends and family.

How it works

1. Schedule an Appointment

Book online or call one of our friendly reception staff on 07 5328 3588 to find a time that suits you.

2. We Handle the Details

Our experienced Podiatrists will diagnose, create a custom treatment plan and treat in the very first session.

3. Be More Active With Less Pain

Spend more time with your family and friends being active and doing the things you love.

What you'll get...

Experienced Podiatrists

Our Podiatrists have decades of experience treating an array of conditions.

Comprehensive Consultations

Our Podiatrists will leave no stone unturned in finding the root cause of your issue.

Personalised Treatment Plans

Our Podiatrists will create a truly custom treatment plan to achieve your ideal outcomes.

Communication

Our Podiatrists will clearly explain your condition, providing insight into its nature and treatment options.

Best Treatment Technology

We utilise state-of-the-art treatment technologies including: Shockwave Therapy, 3D Laser Scanners, Lunula Fungal Nail Laser to provide our patients with the best possible care. 

On-site Manufacturing

Our on-site orthotics manufacturing lab allows us to do same or next day orthotic dispenses.

Begin your journey to a pain free future.

Woombye Podiatrists

4/40 Wilson Avenue, Woombye, 4559

Sippy Downs Podiatrists

19 Lakehead Drive, Sippy Downs, 4556