Foot Fracture Medication

  • Author: Robert Silbergleit, MD; Chief Editor: Rick Kulkarni, MD   more...
 
Updated: Apr 16, 2012
 

Medication Summary

Analgesics (narcotics, NSAIDs) are generally the only medications needed to treat foot fractures. Administer antibiotics and tetanus prophylaxis to patients with open fractures.

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Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Agents (NSAIDS)

Class Summary

These agents are used most commonly for relief of mild to moderately severe pain. Effects of NSAIDs in treatment of pain tend to be patient specific, yet ibuprofen is usually DOC for initial therapy. Other NSAIDS also may be used.

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Ibuprofen (Ibuprin, Advil, Motrin)

 

Usually DOC for treatment of mild to moderately severe pain, if no contraindications. Inhibits inflammatory reactions and pain, probably by decreasing activity of enzyme cyclooxygenase, which inhibits prostaglandin synthesis.

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Narcotic Combination Analgesics

Class Summary

Pain control is essential to quality patient care. It ensures patient comfort, promotes pulmonary toilet, and aids physical therapy regimens. Many analgesics have sedating properties that benefit patients who have sustained fractures. Hydrocodone and oxycodone preparations are generally more effective and better tolerated than other narcotic-acetaminophen combinations such as those containing codeine.

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Hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen (Vicodin ES)

 

Drug combination indicated for relief of moderately severe to severe pain.

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Antibiotics

Class Summary

Prophylaxis is given to patients with open fractures.

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Penicillin G (Pfizerpen)

 

Interferes with synthesis of cell wall mucopeptide during active replication, resulting in bactericidal activity against susceptible microorganisms.

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Clindamycin (Cleocin)

 

Lincosamide is useful as treatment against serious skin and soft-tissue infections caused by most staphylococcal strains. Also effective against aerobic and anaerobic streptococci, except enterococci. Clindamycin is used for prophylaxis in penicillin-allergic patients. Useful as treatment against streptococci and most staphylococcal strains.

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Gentamicin (Gentacidin, Garamycin)

 

Aminoglycoside antibiotic used for gram-negative bacterial coverage. Commonly used in combination with both an agent against gram-positive organisms and one that covers anaerobes. Used in conjunction with ampicillin or vancomycin for prophylaxis in patients with open fractures.

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Tetanus Toxoid

Class Summary

This agent is used for tetanus immunization. Booster injection is recommended in previously immunized individuals to prevent this potentially lethal syndrome.

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Tetanus toxoid adsorbed or fluid

 

Induces active immunity against tetanus in selected patients. Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids are the immunizing DOC for most adults and children older than 7 y. Necessary to administer booster doses to maintain tetanus immunity throughout life. Pregnant patients should receive only tetanus toxoid, not a diphtheria antigen-containing product. In children and adults, may administer into deltoid or midlateral thigh muscles. In infants, preferred site of administration is midthigh laterally.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Robert Silbergleit, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School

Robert Silbergleit, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Heart Association, American Stroke Association, National Association of EMS Physicians, Sigma Xi, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, and Society for Neuroscience

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Francis Counselman, MD, FACEP  Chair, Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School

Francis Counselman, MD, FACEP is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Emergency Physicians, Association of Academic Chairs of Emergency Medicine (AACEM), Norfolk Academy of Medicine, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Tom Scaletta, MD  Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, Edward Hospital; Past-President, American Academy of Emergency Medicine

Tom Scaletta, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

John D Halamka, MD, MS  Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Chief Information Officer, CareGroup Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School; Attending Physician, Division of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

John D Halamka, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Informatics Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Rick Kulkarni, MD  Attending Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School

Rick Kulkarni, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Association, American Medical Informatics Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: WebMD Salary Employment

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Fractures, foot. Proximal fifth metatarsal avulsion fracture (also termed pseudo-Jones, tennis, or dancer fracture).
Fractures, foot. Jones fracture of the fifth metatarsal.
Fractures, foot. Lisfranc fracture-dislocation.
Fractures, foot. Calcaneal fracture with intraarticular involvement and joint depression.
Fractures, foot. Calcaneal fracture with intraarticular involvement and joint depression with Böehler angle imposed. Reduced angle of 16 degrees is pathologic.
Fractures, foot. Subtle fracture of the first cuneiform at the Lisfranc joint. Another fracture at the base of the first metatarsal is not seen here but was found on subsequent computed tomography.
Fractures, foot. CT scan showing fracture of first cuneiform and proximal first metatarsal.
Fractures, foot. Spiral fracture of the shaft of the fifth metatarsal. This fracture was treated conservatively with immobilization.
Fractures, foot. Minimally displaced fracture of the distal fifth metatarsal. This fracture was treated conservatively with immobilization in a rigid flat bottom shoe.
Fractures, foot. Two fractures of the proximal phalanx of the great toe. The fracture at the base is obvious, but the fracture at the head is more subtle. Make certain to examine every bone on the radiograph to avoid being distracted by obvious finding.
Comminuted navicular fracture in a young drunk driver involved in a motor vehicle crash. The patient sustained no other injuries and was discharged in a plaster splint with strict nonweightbearing. The patient subsequently had a computerized tomography (CT) scan and underwent open reduction and internal fixation 9 days after the injury. A standard anteroposterior (AP) view is shown here.
An added oblique view of this same patient with a navicular fracture was performed in the ED to help verify the absence of other significant fractures. Obtaining views that are not part of the routine foot series can be helpful and should be added when needed.
 
 
 
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