Compression Socks for Foot Fractures and Swelling
Foot fractures are so common that one out of every ten cases of broken bone injuries occur in the foot. The human foot seems small compared to other parts of the body, but that small area consists of an intricate configuration of twenty-six bones.
They are all connected by over one-hundred muscles, tendons and ligaments between thirty-three joints, and is divided into three parts namely forefoot, hindfoot and midfoot.
- The forefoot is the long front part of the foot, consisting of nineteen bones. The hindfoot is made up of only two bones, the talus and calcaneus.
- The talus is a bone in the ankle that connects the lower leg to the foot while the calcaneus forms the heel bone.
- Lastly, the midfoot is comprised of five smaller bones called the navicular, cuboid and three cuneiform bones.
Additionally, there are small pebble-sized bones, known as sesamoid bones, which do not serve any real purpose other than being a filler for muscles and joints.
How Do Foot Fractures Happen
When there is an opposing force that abruptly bends, hits, or twists the bone it usually breaks, causing immense pain. Fractures can happen easier than people realize. For example, accidentally kicking a hard object can lead to broken toes or fractures, and landing improperly from a fall or jump could lead to a broken heel.
Most bone fractures result from accidents and are instantaneous, others occur from repeated stress on the bones called stress fractures. This condition is common to soldiers and athletes like runners and gymnasts.
These are the common symptoms of foot fractures: pain, bruising and swelling around the majority of the foot. These symptoms are also present in foot sprains and are sometimes difficult to tell whether a person has a fracture or sprain just by looking at it. It is not just bone fractures that cause swelling, there are many other conditions associated with foot swelling.
For example, edema swelling is due to the foot retaining too much fluid; during pregnancy, most women experience swollen feet; Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy issue that can occur during pregnancy, which also has symptoms of swollen feet.
People with lymphedema will experience swollen feet due to damaged lymph nodes, which are supposed to drain the body of fluids; chronic venous insufficiency can likewise cause feet swelling; heart failure causes feet swelling because the blood cannot flow in the right direction; kidney disease similarly causes swollen feet due to a large amount of sodium that remains in the blood which causes the body to retain more water; and someone with liver disease commonly develops swollen feet.
Aside from medical treatment that can be done to foot swelling and foot fractures, there are also home remedies that can help ease the problem. One of which is using R.I.C.E. or rest, ice, compression and elevation. If the foot fracture requires emergency medical care, this can help after being discharged from the hospital. Resting, applying ice and elevating your leg will help reduce pain during the recovery period.
Using Compression Healing For Foot Fractures and Swelling
Compression is an optional, but highly recommended process in expediting the recovery. It is best to use compression socks because it helps reduce swelling by constraining the fluid to drain away from the applied area which also alleviates pain and tension on the nerves.
The compression socks mimic the pumping of the muscles which helps supply more oxygen and nutrients to the affected area and improves circulation to the damaged tissues. Compression socks also provide added ankle stability and control to prevent foot fractures from irregular activity and reduce the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
In using compression socks there are tips to consider to make the usage of the socks stress-free. It is suggested that you wear compression socks first thing in the morning when the feet are less swollen.
To ensure that you are wearing the correct size of compression socks, it is best to take proper measurements because using the wrong compression might create more complications rather than improve the issue. It is also advised that you don’t wear compression socks when lying completely flat like when sleeping.
For athletes, it is recommended to use compression sleeves during activities and compression socks for recovery on the following day. To allow the feet to breathe during the hot summer months, it is best to wear open toe compression socks.
Last Words For Compression Socks
After 3 months of heavy use, it is advised to replace your compression socks because the sock material will generally lose some elasticity and degrade over time.
When cleaning the compression socks or any compression garments, it is best to use cold water and a mild cleaning solution. Air dry; do NOT use fabric softeners or hot air. It is NOT recommended to machine wash or dry the garment because it might damage the compression garment's elasticity; using small mesh laundry bags can be a solution to this.
If you are planning on buying a compression garment, just visit Doc Miller Compression, there is a variety of compression garments to choose from!
Disclaimer: This article should not be construed as medical advice. Please contact a licensed physician for a proper diagnosis of your specific case.