Fractured Toe

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Fractured toe

Content:

• Possible causes of the fracture
• Types of toe fractures
• Symptoms of a broken toe
• Diagnostics
• Toe fracture treatment
• Rehabilitation period

Any fracture is a violation of the integrity of the bones. Extremities are at the highest risk of fractures, and a toe fracture is a common injury.

Possible causes of the fracture

You can break a toe in a variety of situations - in a fall, in an unsuccessful jump from a height, simply twisting your leg or dropping any heavy object on it; with severe bruises, even at home, for example, tripping over the leg of a chair or sofa.

Types of toe fractures

By origin, fractures are divided into:

• Traumatic - resulting from mechanical impact on the foot: impact, compression (squeezing), twisting of the leg;
• Pathological - arising as a complication of certain diseases, such as osteoporosis, osteomyelitis, bone tuberculosis, a malignant process in bone tissue, which destroys bone tissue, making it less durable and more fragile.

According to the condition of bone and nearby tissues, fractures are divided into the following types:

• Open - when the integrity of the skin at the site of the fracture is violated, and the edge of the broken bone can be seen through the wound;
• Closed - when the integrity of the skin is not violated;
• With displacement - if the damaged bone is displaced, in this case, it is possible to infringement of nearby muscles, blood vessels, nerve endings;
• No displacement - if the injured bone remains in place;
• Full, in which the bone splits into two or more parts;
• Incomplete, in which a crack forms in the bone; this includes a marginal fracture of the finger - in this case, a flat fragment is separated from the bone wall;
• Shredded - is diagnosed when a bone is fractured, when fragments enter the wound.

By localization, fractures of the toes can affect:

• Nail phalanx;
• Middle phalanx;
• The main phalanx;

A combined fracture is established when two or more phalanges are damaged. A separate fracture of the big toe, which has two, not three phalanges. The thumb protrudes forward and experiences maximum stress when walking, therefore, it is more likely to injure the rest of the fingers.

Symptoms of a broken toe

Fracture symptoms can be relative or absolute. Relative symptoms suggest a fracture. The absolute ones confirm its presence.

Relative symptoms include:

• Pain syndrome that worsens when trying to move a finger;
• Swelling, puffiness;
• Hemorrhage under the nail or skin;
• Impaired motor function.

The intensity of these symptoms can be anything depending on the type and location of the fracture. They are more pronounced with a fracture of the main phalanx, which connects to the bones of the foot. Also, an intra-articular fracture of the thumb is especially painful, with it, edema and hematoma can spread to other fingers and the entire foot, it is impossible to stand on the leg due to severe pain. A person can not detect fractures of 2-5 fingers immediately, but only with a gradual increase in pain.

The absolute signs that help distinguish a fracture from a bruise or sprain are:

• Pathological mobility of the injured finger;
• Unnatural position and deformation of the finger;
• Crepitation - crunching of bone fragments when pressing on the finger.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis is established on the basis of a patient survey, visual examination and X-ray examination carried out in different projections.

Toe fracture treatment

First aid

The foot and toe must be secured with a splint (hard object) and bandage. If the fracture is open, care should be taken to keep the dressing sterile.

Treatment tactics

The treatment regimen is determined by the location and nature of the injury.

• If the fracture is open, antibiotics are prescribed to prevent infection of the wound, tetanus vaccination may be given;
• If the nail phalanx is damaged, the nail is perforated, the blood is removed from under it and the fracture site is fixed with a plaster along with other phalanges and adjacent fingers;
• In case of fractures without displacement of the middle and main phalanges, they are also immobilized with a plaster for up to two weeks;
• In case of a displacement fracture, traction of the injured finger along the axis or manual reduction of the fragments is used, then a plaster shoe is applied;
• In case of multiple fractures, a dressing in the form of a "shoe" made of plaster is also applied;

• For closed fractures with displacement, as well as comminuted, closed reduction (return to place) of bone fragments is performed; it must be very accurate and careful to prevent improper bone fusion and possible deformation in the future;
• For fractures of 2-5 fingers, a plaster splint is applied;
• If the big toe is fractured, a plaster cast is applied from the toes to the knee. Pain medications are used to relieve pain. With an intra-articular fracture, surgery is usually required, during which the joint is fixed with special pins. The period of wearing the plaster is 6-8 weeks.

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Rehabilitation period

Rehabilitation activities include massage, physiotherapy, exercise therapy. Long-term wearing of gypsum is unpleasant, but it is necessary for proper bone fusion. If the bones do not heal properly, this will lead in the future to an incorrect distribution of body weight on the foot and great problems when walking.

It is recommended during rehabilitation to walk as little as possible, wear comfortable, spacious shoes without high heels, and keep the affected leg in an elevated position during rest, for example, put it on a pillow. To reduce severe edema, cold compresses can be made in the first 2-3 days, but not overusing them.

You should eat rationally, eat enough vegetables and fruits, pay special attention to foods rich in calcium: cheese, cottage cheese, etc. At the same time, limit or even abandon strong coffee, carbonated and alcoholic beverages, as they remove calcium from organism. It is also recommended to take multivitamins, C, D and B12.

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.