Well my dear NYC podiatry patients, it’s time for true confession so let’s keep this one between us. I’m a bit of a Broadway fan, perhaps even approaching full nerd status, which is fairly consistent with the remainder of my personality. And on this night when we came back from a most entertaining show, I learned of Brennin Hunt’s “brutal” foot fracture during rehearsal for the live televised version of Rent that forced the use of recorded footage for most of the broadcast. So what to do if you suffer a similar injury while rehearsing for a TV broadcast, or any other such mishap?  Read on for this blog is today 4 U. 

Foot fractures are quite common, and generally quite treatable. From the very common, typically caused by a nocturnal encounter with a piece of furniture or bathroom sink pipe toe fracture, to the devastating heel bone fracture and everything in between, foot bone breaks or fractures (same thing) limp in on an almost daily basis.  And is it really necessary to investigate an injury? I mean isn’t it true that if the limb can move then it’s probably not fractured, and isn’t there nothing to be done for it anyway?  Well kids, I’m glad you asked.

Any foot or toe injury should be evaluated by your local neighborhood NYC podiatrist, and I don’t just say that because it’s pretty much how I make my living. As Brennin learned, some types of foot fractures are unstable, and if not properly treated, can lead to potentially debilitating complications in the long term. Some injuries may require immobilization in a fracture boot, application of a cast, or even foot surgery. The good news is the use of casts in my practice has been reduced significantly and the majority of injuries will heal well in a walking fracture boot. While there seems to be a dearth of specific information on Brennin’s injury (uh I need something more specific than “foot fracture”), it sounds like an injury to the Lisfranc ligament, a serious injury that needs immediate – usually surgical – treatment, and is often missed on initial exam. Stop in sometime and I’ll give you the full nerd history on Dr. Lisfranc and his connection to Napoleon.

There you have it NYC podiatry patients. Don’t ignore a foot injury or fracture even if you can move it or walk on it and don’t assume it doesn’t need treatment. And if you’re listening Brennin, we have emergency appointments available this week, but don’t wait long because there’s no day but today…

See you in the office.

Ernest Isaacson