Foot Dislocation, Talus

Injury and displacement of the talus so it no longer touches adjoining bones. Fractures and ligament sprains frequently accompany this dislocation.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED

• Talus and adjacent foot bones (tibia, navicular, calcaneus).
• Ligaments that hold foot bones together.
• Soft tissue surrounding the dislocation site, including periosteum (covering to bone), nerves, tendons, blood vessels and connective tissue.

Causes

• Direct or indirect blow to the foot and ankle.
• End result of a severe foot sprain.
• Congenital abnormality, such as abnormal arches or shallow or malformed joint surfaces

Signs & Symptoms

• Excruciating pain in the foot at the time of injury.
• Loss of function in the foot and ankle, and severe pain when attempting to move them.
• Visible deformity if the dislocated bones have locked in the dislocated position. Bones may spontaneously reposition themselves and leave no deformity, but damage is the same.
• Tenderness over the dislocation.
• Swelling and bruising at the injury site.
• Numbness or paralysis below the dislocation from pressure on, pinching or cutting of blood vessels or nerves.

Treatment

Follow your doctor's instructions. Instructions are supplemental.

If a cast is not necessary:

• Use ice soaks 3 or 4 times a day. Fill a bucket with ice water, and soak the injured area 20 minutes at a time.
• After 48 hours, localized heat promotes healing by increasing blood circulation in the injured area. Use hot baths, showers,compresses, heat lamps, heating pads, heat ointments and liniments, or whirlpools.
• Wrap the foot and ankle with an elasticized bandage between treatments.
• Massage gently and often to provide comfort and decreasing swelling.

If a cast is necessary:

Home Diet

• Drink only water before manipulation or surgery to correct the dislocation. Solid food in your stomach makes vomiting while under general anesthesia more hazardous.
• During recovery, eat a well-balanced diet that includes extra protein, such as meat, fish, poultry, cheese, milk and eggs. Increase fiber and fluid intake to prevent constipation that may result from decreased activity.

Prevention Tips

• For participation in contact sports,activities involving running and jumping ,protect vulnerable joints.Wear protective devices such as high-top athletic shoes and use tape.
• Avoid irregular surfaces for running, fast walking, and track and field events
• Warm up adequately before physical activity.
• Build your overall strength and muscle tone with a long-term conditioning program
• Avoid contact sports if treatment does not restore a strong, stable foot and ankle.

Foot Dislocation, Subtalar

Injury to a joint in the foot below the talus so that adjoining bones are displaced from their normal position and no longer touch each other. A minor dislocation is called a supluxation. Joint surfaces still touch, but not in normal relation to each other.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED

• Any of the foot bones below the talus.
• Ligaments that hold foot bones in place.
• Soft tissue surrounding the dislocated bones, including nerves, tendons, muscles and blood vessels.

Causes

• Direct blow to the foot.
• End result of a severe foot sprain.
• Congenital abnormality, such as a shallow or malformed joint surface.

Signs & Symptoms

• Excruciating pain at the time of injury.
• Inability to bear weight and walk.
• Severe pain when attempting to move the foot.
• Tenderness over the dislocation.
• Swelling and bruising at the injury site.
• Numbness or paralysis below the dislocation from pinching, cutting or pressure on blood vessels or nerves.

Treatment

Follow your doctor's instructions. Instructions are supplemental.

If a cast is not necessary:

• Use ice soaks 3 or 4 times a day. Fill a bucket with ice water, and soak the injured area 20 minutes at a time.
• After 48 hours, localized heat promotes healing by increasing blood circulation in the injured area. Use hot baths, showers,compresses, heat lamps, heating pads, heat ointments and liniments, or whirlpools.
• Wrap the foot with an elasticized bandage between treatments.
• Massage gently and often to provide comfort and decreasing swelling.

If a cast is necessary:

Home Diet

• Drink only water before manipulation or surgery to correct the dislocation. Solid food in your stomach makes vomiting under general anesthesia more hazardous.
• During recovery, eat a well-balanced diet that includes extra protein, such as meat, fish, poultry, cheese, milk and eggs. Increase fiber and fluid intake to prevent constipation that may result from decreased activity.

Prevention Tips

• For participation in contact sports, protect vulnerable joints with supportive devices, such as wrapped elastic bandages, tape or high-top athletic shoes.
• Warm up adequately before physical activity.
• Build your overall strength and muscle tone with a long-term conditioning program appropriate for your sport.
• Avoid irregular surfaces for running, fast walking, or track and field events.