Pediatric Ankle & Foot Fractures
Symptoms, Causes and Treatment of Children's Foot Fractures
Understanding Pediatric Foot Fractures
Due to their still-growing bodies, pediatric foot fracture treatment is different than treating similar injuries in adults. Fractures are less common because children’s growing feet have more cartilage and greater elasticity. However, increased participation in sports and other physical activities has led to increased incidence of foot fractures.
Trusted Pediatric Foot & Ankle Care • Thousands of children treated by Dr. Mikkel Jarman, DPM, FACFAS
Foot Fracture Common Causes
Most of these are closed fractures. High energy trauma, such as accidents with a lawnmower or riding an ATV, often result in open fractures.
Treating a closed fracture rarely requires surgical intervention. Common treatment involves “buddy” taping the fractured toe to its healthy neighbor. The child may be given a walking cast or hard-soled shoe to manage discomfort.
Open foot fracture treatment depends on the child’s unique injury, age, and much more.
Pediatric Toe Fractures
The most common type of foot fracture in children is of the phalanx, or toe bone. These fractures usually occur because the child dropped something on their toe. Other common causes of pediatric toe fracture include stubbing the toe and sports injuries.
Ankle fractures are also a common sports-related injury in active kids and teens. Visit our Sports Injury page to learn more about symptoms, treatment, and prevention.
Diagnosing Pediatric Foot Fractures
Due to their unique physiology, diagnosing pediatric foot injuries can be a challenge. Even if you don’t bring your child to Pediatric Foot & Ankle, we highly recommend you use a pediatric podiatrist.
Our blog offers 7 Tips for Choosing a Pediatric Podiatrist. These specialists have the experience and training necessary to accurately diagnose and treat a child’s unique foot issues.
No amount of foot pain is normal. If you suspect your child has a foot fracture or injury, call (480) 534-7220 to schedule an appointment today.
Maylee broke her foot during dance practice. As an aspiring dancer, this was potentially catastrophic. Her foot many have been broken, but her spirit was not.
Watch to learn more about how her and her family with the help of Pediatric Foot & Ankle were able to help get her back on the dance floor doing what she loves.
Treatment depends on the type of fracture
A displaced fracture is when the bone breaks into two or more parts. In addition, the two bone ends move, becoming misaligned. When the bone breaks into several pieces, this is known as a comminuted fracture.
A non-displaced fracture occurs when the bone breaks partway or if the bone breaks completely but the two ends remain aligned.
If the bone breaks through the skin, it is known as an open fracture. A closed fracture is when the bone does not pierce the skin.
How Pediatric Foot Fractures Are Evaluated
Your Child's Visit - What to expect
Our pediatric foot fracture evaluations are:
- Gentle and child-friendly
- Based on age, activity level, and symptoms
- Focused on function—not just appearance
The visit may include:
- Gait and posture analysis
- Foot alignment evaluation
- Muscle flexibility and strength testing
- Digital X-ray Imaging, when necessary
Parents are fully involved in the discussion and decision-making. Our goal is to ensure at the end of appointment you have the following:
- An accurate diagnosis of your child’s foot condition, or at least a list of possible differentials
- Understanding of this diagnosis
- Understanding of ALL available treatment options
It is often encouraged to record this initial encounter as the amount of information can feel overwhelming.
Why parent's choose dr. jarman
A Specialist Who Focuses on Growing Feet
- Dedicated pediatric foot & ankle care
- Experience treating infants through teens
- Evidence-based, conservative approach
- Clear communication with parents
- Friendly, kid-centered office environment
Your child’s feet are still growing, expert care matters.
Pediatric Foot Fracture FAQ's
How can I tell if my child's foot or ankle is broken, or just sprained?
It's often impossible to tell the difference just by looking. Swelling, bruising, difficulty bearing weight, and pain that doesn't improve within a day or two can all point to a fracture, but children can also keep walking on a broken bone, especially with toe or growth-plate injuries. No amount of foot pain is normal in a child, so persistent pain or a limp after an injury should be evaluated rather than watched at home.
Why is a child's fracture treated differently than an adult's?
Children's bones are still growing and contain growth plates — areas of cartilage that aren't present in adult bone. This extra cartilage and elasticity make some fractures less likely, but it also means an injury near a growth plate needs careful evaluation to protect how the bone continues to develop. Treatment is based on your child's age, activity level, and the specific bone involved, not just adult fracture guidelines.
Will my child need a cast, or just a walking boot or hard-soled shoe?
It depends on the type and location of the fracture. Many closed toe fractures are treated simply by "buddy taping" the injured toe to the one next to it, along with a hard-soled shoe or walking cast to manage discomfort. Fractures elsewhere in the foot or ankle, or those that are displaced, may need a cast, boot, or other immobilization to protect the bone while it heals.
Does my child need surgery for a foot or ankle fracture?
Most closed pediatric fractures heal well without surgery. Open fractures (where the bone breaks through the skin), significantly displaced fractures, or certain growth-plate injuries are more likely to need surgical treatment. The right approach depends on your child's unique injury, age, and overall health, which is why an in-person evaluation matters before assuming surgery is or isn't needed.
What's the difference between a displaced, non-displaced, open, and closed fracture?
- Non-displaced: the bone breaks but stays aligned.
- Displaced: the broken ends have shifted out of alignment. A break into several pieces is called comminuted.
- Closed: the fracture doesn't break the skin.
- Open: the bone breaks through the skin — these are often caused by higher-energy trauma, such as lawnmower or ATV accidents, and typically need more urgent, individualized care.
How long does it take a pediatric foot or ankle fracture to heal?
Healing time varies with the child's age, the bone involved, and the severity of the fracture — younger children with less complicated fractures often heal faster than older kids or teens with more significant injuries. Your child's provider will give you a healing timeline specific to the injury, along with guidance on when it's safe to resume weight-bearing and activity.
When should my child get an X-ray?
If your child is limping, refusing to bear weight, or has pain that persists more than a day or two after an injury, it's reasonable to have them evaluated and imaged. Digital X-rays are available on site, so imaging can typically be done during the same visit as the evaluation when it's needed.
When can my child return to sports or normal activity?
Return to activity depends on the type of fracture, how it was treated, and how well it has healed on follow-up evaluation — there isn't a one-size-fits-all timeline. Returning too early can risk re-injury, so it's best to get clearance before your child goes back to running, jumping, or sports.
What should I do right after my child injures their foot or ankle?
Keep your child off the injured foot, apply ice, and elevate it to help with swelling and pain in the first day or two. Avoid taping, splinting, or "fixing" the toe or foot yourself. If there's an open wound, significant deformity, or your child can't bear weight at all, seek prompt medical attention; otherwise, call (480) 534-7220 to schedule an evaluation with a pediatric specialist.
Why see a pediatric podiatrist instead of a general urgent care or ER?
A child's foot has unique physiology that can make fractures — especially growth-plate injuries — harder to diagnose accurately. A pediatric podiatrist has the specialized training and experience to recognize these injuries and choose treatment that protects your child's foot as it continues to grow. If an initial evaluation happens elsewhere, a follow-up with a pediatric specialist is still a good idea.
Your Child’s Feet Are Built for Life. We Help Keep Them That Way.
