Tarsal fracture
With the large number of tarsal bones present, fractures, so-called fractures, can occur under certain conditions. Such a fracture can be differentiated according to various criteria. By definition, a fracture divides a coherent single bone into at least two parts.
Almost always, such a fracture is accompanied by pain and a functional impairment. Other aspects can play a role in the assessment, such as the cause of the fracture, the extent and location of the fracture, or whether an open fracture is present (whether parts of the bone have caused an open wound). The two most common causes of a fracture of the tarsal are the application of force, for example in the course of an accident, and a metabolic weakening of the bones, as can occur in age-related osteoporosis, for example, which means that a normal (physiological) load already leads to a fracture.
Such a fracture can be manifested by visibly abnormal positions of the bones. Otherwise, it can be suspected in typical localized pain, especially when movements of the bone involved are performed, as well as in swelling, pressure pain or bruising. When the cause of the accident and these symptoms are described, an x-ray of the affected region is usually taken for reliable diagnosis.Especially at the root of the foot it is essential to scan several anatomical levels of the foot, as often not all bones and fractures can be seen from only one angle.
In addition, a high-resolution image from a CT or MRI can provide more detailed information. Once such a fracture has been diagnosed, the physician decides on further therapeutic measures depending on the position of the bone fragments. Surgery may become necessary.
The aim is to bring the bone fragments back to their original position within the tarsal and to connect them together with wires or screws. Complete healing of the bone fragments takes a few weeks. During this time, it is important to relieve and immobilize the fracture site while maintaining and training the function of the joints and muscles. A plaster cast or splint is often necessary to relieve the strain, usually in combination with walking aids.
