Fracture of the little toe
A fracture of the little toe is a fairly common occurrence. This is because it is very easy to damage the bone that forms the little finger, one of the thinnest ones.
According to statistics, this probability is from 3 to 5% of the total number of lower limb fractures. In addition, there is a large number of those fractures that, due to carelessness, were not completely healed or were not treated at all. This figure is no more than 15%.
Content:
- Symptoms of a fractured pinky toe
- Causes of the fracture of the little toe
- Kinds
- Diagnostics
- Fracture of the little toe
Symptoms of a fractured pinky toe
Symptoms of a broken pinky finger are as follows:
- sharp painful sensations immediately after injury and pain at the slightest attempt to move a finger, but not only the little finger, but also the ring finger next to it;
- the formation of edema, discoloration of the skin at the site of injury (usually redness);
- the appearance of a hematoma;
- change in the shape and integrity of soft tissues and skin with an open fracture of the little finger.
Even more obvious symptoms should be considered pathological immobility of the little finger, hearing of fragments in case of pressure (so-called crepitus) and an unnatural position of the finger. Considering that in a fracture, damage to blood vessels of different importance is observed, not only the hematoma, but also the edema of the main phalanx of the little finger will be much greater than in the situation when only the distal phalanx is damaged.
Most often, in the case of a closed fracture of the little finger, an exceptionally wave-like increase in pain sensations signals a person that they should consult a specialist. What can not be said about an open fracture, which is noticeable immediately.
Causes of the fracture of the little toe
Given how thin the bones of the little toes are, there is no need to make any special efforts to break them. So, it can happen completely by accident, as well as be the result of playing on the football field or an ordinary injury received at home.
At the same time, the reason for getting a fracture of the little finger may be:
- hit;
- compression (pressure);
- sharp twisting of the limb;
- changes in the body that take on a pathological character.
The latest changes are the result of a violation of the structure and integrity of the bone. These are osteomyelitis, osteoporosis or bone tumors. A fractured little toe is an extremely painful condition that requires adequate repair.
Kinds
Fractures of the little toe are divided into certain types. Thus, four categories of injury should be distinguished:
- closed or open fracture;
- with or without offset;
- absolute or partial;
- localized, that is, located on one of three phalanges: main, middle or nail.
In that situation, if the fragments of a broken little finger break through the skin, ligaments or muscles and at the same time communicate with the external environment, experts make an unambiguous diagnosis of "open fracture". However, such injuries are much less common than closed fractures. Considering that the toes, according to their anatomical structure, tend to break in several places at once, the decisive role in the diagnosis is given to localization when the integral structure of the bone is disturbed.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis of a fracture of the little toe is made after clarifying all the details of the patient's medical history. It is even easier to do this if there are any relative and absolute signs. Also, competent diagnosis implies the appointment of an X-ray examination so that the nature of the fracture does not cause any doubts.
Fracture of the little toe
The course of treatment is selected on an individual basis.
It may consist in:
- standard fixation of the damaged little finger;
- the use of gypsum splints;
- reduction of bone tissue (with displacement fracture).
In the event that a fracture of the phalanx of the nail part is noted, a special nail plate is most often inserted. The little finger is then fixed with a standard patch for two or three weeks. In case of injury in the area of the first or second phalanx, it becomes necessary to apply a plaster cast as a sole. The patient will have to wear it from one to one and a half months.
If, due to a fracture of the little finger, the movement of bone fragments was diagnosed, then changes in their positions are carried out under anesthesia. When an open wound forms, doctors perform its specialized treatment, prescribe a course of antibiotics, and mandatory vaccination against a disease such as tetanus is carried out.
On the subject: 12 popular ways for home treatment
To reduce painful sensations and formed edema, ice should be applied to the fracture area for the first two or three days, while direct contact with the skin should be avoided. The person also needs to avoid any stress and inspect the broken little finger every day.
Speaking about the time it takes for the little finger fracture to heal, in this case, as in the case of finger injuries, the timing can vary within a fairly wide framework. After all, this directly depends on how correctly the treatment is carried out and how accurately the victim observes all the recommendations of specialists.
Very few people manage to comply with the basic rule, namely, to keep the damaged little finger immobile. The optimal position of the injured leg should be considered its position in a raised state on a special pillow or small roller.
After the process of bone fusion is completed, you should undergo a rehabilitation course, which includes a cycle of gymnastic exercises, physiotherapeutic procedures, and restorative massage. All this may take another one or even two months.
Thus, a fracture of the little toe is a rather serious injury that must be healed to the end. To do this, you must follow all the recommendations of a specialist and follow the rules indicated by him.
Author of the article: Kaplan Alexander Sergeevich | Orthopedist
Education: diploma in the specialty "General Medicine" received in 2009 at the Medical Academy. I. M. Sechenov. In 2012 completed postgraduate studies in Traumatology and Orthopedics at the City Clinical Hospital named after Botkin at the Department of Traumatology, Orthopedics and Disaster Surgery.
