Article: If you suspect that someone has a broken foot, it's important that he receives medical treatment to assess the severity of the break and devise a treatment plan. A doctor can ensure that the diagnosis of a break is correct and that the pain in the foot is not caused by another condition. At the hospital or doctor's office, your practitioner will conduct a series of examinations and tests, most likely including an X-ray of the bones in the foot.  An X-ray will show whether the bone is fractured severely or if it only has a hairline fracture, or if there is no fracture at all. The X-ray is the only way to definitely know that the foot is fractured, unless it is so severely broken that the fractured bone can be felt with the hands. Depending on the severity and location of the break, your doctor will advise a treatment plan to minimize further injury and promote healing of the bones.  For a very minor break, this might just involve keeping the foot elevated and avoiding bearing weight on it until the bone is healed. A more severe break may require an air boot or cast.  Some very severe breaks may require surgery and/or the placement of metal plates in the foot to repair the break.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Head to the emergency room. Get your foot X-rayed. Follow the treatment plan.