Jump to
How can you care for yourself when you have a broken foot?
- Be safe with medicines. Take pain medicines exactly as directed.
- If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
- If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
- Do not put any weight on the injured foot. If you were given crutches, use them as directed.
- Put ice or a cold pack on your foot for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Try to do this every 1 to 2 hours for the next 3 days (when you are awake) or until the swelling goes down. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin.
- Prop up the sore foot on a pillow anytime you sit or lie down during the next 3 days. Try to keep it above the level of your heart. This will help reduce swelling.
- If you have a cast, follow the care instructions your doctor gives you.
- If you have a splint, leave the splint on until your follow-up appointment. Do not take it off unless your doctor tells you to.
- Take care of your splint.
- If you have a removable splint, ask your doctor if it is okay to remove it to bathe. Your doctor may want you to keep it on as much as possible.
- Keep your plaster splint covered by taping a sheet of plastic around it when you bathe. Water under the plaster can cause your skin to itch and hurt.
- Never cut your splint.
Broken foot in children: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think your child may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- Your child has chest pain, is short of breath, or coughs up blood.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- Your child has new or worse pain.
- Your child's foot is cool or pale or changes color.
- Your child has tingling, weakness, or numbness in his or her toes.
- Your child's cast or splint feels too tight.
- Your child has signs of a blood clot in his or her leg (called a deep vein thrombosis), such as:
- Pain in his or her calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin.
- Redness or swelling in his or her leg.
Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- Your child has a problem with his or her splint or cast.
- Your child does not get better as expected.
©2011-2025 Healthwise, Incorporated
The content above contains general health information provided by Healthwise, Incorporated, and reviewed by its medical experts. This content should not replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Not all treatments or services described are offered as services by us. For recommended treatments, please consult your healthcare provider.