The Not So Great Escape

Lindsay Lohan’s father may have broken his foot when jumping from a third story balcony to escape from the police. He has been arrested for making a harassing call to his girlfriend.

Broken bones can occur from many different types of injury including heavy impact, crush and freak accidents. There are 28 bones in the human foot which leads to many different locations that a fracture can occur. In some instances, the broken bone may give a person very little trouble and not affect their life in any major way. However, in other cases, the fracture can leave a person relying on crutches or even a wheelchair to get around. In either circumstance, a person can experience a great deal of discomfort from the injury.

It is important that if you suspect you have broken a bone that you seek medical assistance. With as many bones as there are in the human foot, there are also many nerves, arteries and veins that run close to these structures and can be injured as a result of the trauma. If this happens, many other structures can be affected including the muscles and tissues that rely on the arteries for blood supply and the nerves for signals from the brain. If these problems are allowed to persist, the foot can undergo much more damage than the initial traumatic experience.

With a fracture, it is important to set the bones so that they can heal properly. In some breaks, bone pieces will become misaligned and the bone will heal incorrectly. If this is caught right away the cure is much simpler than if the bone is given time to heal in the wrong place. The foot is also not as stable if the bones are not properly aligned. You can think of it like a building. If the trusses of a roof are not placed in the correct pattern, then the roof will be weak and will break down over time.

By visiting your local podiatrist, x-rays can be taken and further diagnostic studies done to assess the extent of your injury. Steps can then be taken to get you back on your feet as soon as possible. So, the moral of the story is always seek professional help in the case of an injury, and don’t jump off of a third story balcony.