Foot & ankle injuries at work

Foot and ankle injuries at work often come from the ground itself: stepping off a loading dock, missing a stair, rolling an ankle on uneven ground at a job site, or tripping over a pallet. Warehouse pickers and order selectors cover long distances and turn quickly, which strains ankles. Construction workers can step on nails or be hit by a nail gun.

Heavier injuries come from equipment. Forklifts and pallet jacks can run over or pin a foot, and mowers and trimmers can cut one. Even with safety shoes, the force of a load can break bones or cause crush injuries.

Then there is the slow kind: foot pain from standing all day on concrete, often in retail, manufacturing, kitchens and healthcare. These problems can be work-related too, though how gradual injuries are handled varies by state.

Many foot and ankle injuries start at urgent care or occupational medicine. People are often referred to podiatry and foot and ankle specialists or orthopedics, sometimes with imaging. A licensed clinician decides what care is appropriate after an evaluation.

Some states and employers have rules about which provider you see first and whether you can see a specialist. Ask your employer or the adjuster how referrals work.

If you are given prescriptions, supports or a boot, ask the pharmacy and the adjuster how work-injury prescriptions and supplies are handled. Many prescriptions can be filled locally or delivered to your home, which helps when walking is hard.

Workers' compensation generally may cover medical care and part of lost wages for job-related foot and ankle injuries, depending on your state and situation. Report the injury in writing, even a sprain, because ankle injuries can turn out to be fractures.

Deadlines to report and file a claim vary by state. Check with your state's workers' compensation agency as soon as possible and ask your employer for the claim number.

If your foot pain built up over time from standing or walking, write down when you first noticed it and how your job affects it. Rules for gradual injuries differ by state, so ask how they apply to you.

Recovery often means time off your feet, then a gradual return to walking and standing. Follow the care plan, wear any supports you are given and do your therapy exercises.

Many foot and ankle injuries come with clear restrictions, like seated work only or limited walking. Ask your employer whether a seated or modified job is available and get it in writing so your doctor can review it.

Watch for swelling, color changes or pain that gets worse and tell your clinician. Keep in touch with your adjuster and keep copies of all notes and restrictions.