How long does a broken toe take to heal. What are the symptoms of a fractured toe. How to treat a broken toe at home. When to see a doctor for a toe injury. What are the different types of toe fractures. How is a broken toe diagnosed. What complications can arise from an untreated broken toe.

Understanding Toe Fractures: Types and Causes

Toe fractures are common foot injuries that can occur in various ways. Understanding the different types of fractures and their causes is crucial for proper treatment and recovery. Let’s explore the most common types of toe fractures and how they typically occur.

Types of Toe Fractures

• Stress fractures: Tiny cracks in the bone caused by repetitive force or overuse
• Displaced fractures: The broken bone has moved out of alignment
• Non-displaced fractures: The bone is broken but remains aligned
• Open fractures: The broken bone pierces the skin
• Closed fractures: The skin remains intact

Common Causes of Toe Fractures

1. Dropping heavy objects on the foot
2. Stubbing the toe against a hard surface
3. Falls or accidents
4. Sports injuries
5. Repetitive stress from activities like running or dancing

Are certain toes more prone to fractures? While any toe can be broken, the big toe (hallux) and the little toe (fifth metatarsal) are most commonly affected due to their position and exposure to impact.

Recognizing the Symptoms of a Broken Toe

Identifying a broken toe early is crucial for proper treatment and faster healing. While symptoms can vary depending on the severity and location of the fracture, there are several common signs to watch for.

Key Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Pain: Intense, throbbing, or sharp pain in the affected toe
• Swelling: Noticeable swelling around the injured area
• Bruising: Discoloration of the skin around the toe
• Difficulty walking: Pain or discomfort when putting weight on the foot
• Stiffness: Limited range of motion in the affected toe
• Deformity: Visible misalignment or unusual angle of the toe

Can you walk on a broken toe? While some people may be able to walk with a minor fracture, it’s generally advisable to avoid putting weight on the injured toe to prevent further damage and promote healing.

Diagnosing a Broken Toe: When to See a Doctor

Although minor toe fractures can often be treated at home, it’s important to know when professional medical attention is necessary. Proper diagnosis ensures appropriate treatment and reduces the risk of complications.

Signs You Should Seek Medical Attention

• Severe pain that doesn’t improve with home treatment
• Visible deformity or misalignment of the toe
• Open wounds or bleeding
• Signs of infection (increased redness, warmth, or pus)
• Numbness or tingling in the toe
• Inability to move the toe

How do doctors diagnose a broken toe? Typically, a healthcare professional will perform a physical examination and may order X-rays to confirm the diagnosis and assess the extent of the fracture.

Treatment Options for Broken Toes

The treatment for a broken toe depends on the severity and location of the fracture. While some fractures may heal with conservative measures, others may require more intensive interventions.

Conservative Treatment Methods

1. RICE Method (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation)
2. Buddy taping
3. Wearing a post-surgery shoe or boot
4. Pain management with over-the-counter medications

Medical Interventions for Severe Fractures

• Bone setting (reduction) for displaced fractures
• Surgery for complex or open fractures
• Antibiotics or tetanus shot to prevent infection

Is surgery common for broken toes? Surgery is typically reserved for severe fractures, particularly those involving the big toe or when the bone has pierced the skin. Most toe fractures can be treated non-surgically.

Healing Time and Recovery Process

The healing time for a broken toe can vary depending on several factors, including the severity of the fracture, the specific toe affected, and the individual’s overall health. Understanding the typical recovery timeline can help manage expectations and ensure proper care during the healing process.

Average Healing Times for Different Toes

• Big toe (hallux): 6-8 weeks
• Lesser toes: 4-6 weeks
• Stress fractures: 2-4 weeks

What factors can affect healing time? Age, overall health, nutrition, smoking status, and compliance with treatment recommendations can all influence the speed of recovery.

Stages of Toe Fracture Healing

1. Inflammation (first few days): Swelling and pain as the body responds to the injury
2. Soft callus formation (2-3 weeks): New bone tissue begins to form
3. Hard callus formation (3-6 weeks): The fracture site becomes more stable
4. Bone remodeling (several months): The healed bone is gradually reshaped and strengthened

Can you speed up the healing process? While you can’t drastically accelerate bone healing, maintaining a healthy diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, avoiding tobacco use, and following your doctor’s instructions can support optimal recovery.

Home Care and Self-Treatment for Broken Toes

Many minor toe fractures can be effectively managed at home with proper care and attention. Following these self-treatment guidelines can help alleviate pain, reduce swelling, and promote healing.

Essential Home Care Tips

• Rest the injured foot and avoid putting weight on it
• Apply ice packs for 10-15 minutes every 1-2 hours
• Elevate the foot above heart level when resting
• Use over-the-counter pain relievers as needed
• Wear comfortable, wide shoes that don’t put pressure on the injured toe

Buddy Taping Technique

Buddy taping is a common method for stabilizing a broken toe. Here’s how to do it:

1. Clean and dry both the injured toe and the adjacent toe
2. Place a small piece of gauze between the toes to prevent skin irritation
3. Wrap medical tape around both toes, starting at the base and working towards the tip
4. Ensure the tape is snug but not too tight to avoid restricting blood flow
5. Replace the tape daily or if it becomes wet or dirty

Is buddy taping effective for all toe fractures? While buddy taping can be helpful for many minor fractures, it may not be suitable for severe breaks or fractures of the big toe. Always consult a healthcare professional for proper guidance.

Potential Complications and Long-Term Effects

While most toe fractures heal without significant issues, some can lead to complications, especially if left untreated or improperly managed. Being aware of potential long-term effects can help individuals recognize when to seek additional medical care.

Common Complications of Untreated Toe Fractures

• Chronic pain or stiffness
• Arthritis in the affected joint
• Deformity or misalignment of the toe
• Difficulty wearing certain types of shoes
• Altered gait or balance issues

Risk Factors for Complications

1. Delayed or inadequate treatment
2. Severe or complex fractures
3. Pre-existing medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, peripheral neuropathy)
4. Advanced age
5. Smoking or poor nutrition

Can a broken toe cause permanent damage? While most toe fractures heal completely with proper care, severe injuries or complications can sometimes lead to long-term issues. Prompt and appropriate treatment is key to minimizing the risk of permanent damage.

Prevention and Future Care for Toe Injuries

While accidents can happen, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of toe fractures and ensure better foot health in the future. Implementing these preventive measures and maintaining good foot care habits can help protect your toes from injury.

Tips for Preventing Toe Fractures

• Wear properly fitting shoes with adequate toe protection
• Use steel-toed boots in hazardous work environments
• Be cautious when walking on uneven surfaces
• Keep living areas well-lit and free of clutter
• Warm up and stretch before engaging in sports or physical activities

Long-Term Foot Care Practices

1. Regularly inspect your feet for any signs of injury or abnormality
2. Maintain good foot hygiene to prevent infections
3. Trim toenails straight across to avoid ingrown nails
4. Wear supportive shoes appropriate for your activities
5. Stay active and maintain a healthy weight to reduce stress on your feet

How can you strengthen your toes to prevent future injuries? Toe exercises, such as toe raises, toe spreads, and picking up small objects with your toes, can help improve strength and flexibility, potentially reducing the risk of future injuries.

By understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for broken toes, individuals can better manage these injuries and promote optimal healing. Remember that while many toe fractures can be treated at home, severe injuries or persistent symptoms warrant professional medical attention. With proper care and prevention strategies, you can maintain healthy, strong toes and reduce the risk of future injuries.

Treatments, symptoms, pictures, and healing time

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• Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
• Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

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Treatment for a broken toe typically involves a cast or tape to keep the toe straight and promote healing. Depending on the toe, it may take up to 7 weeks for the fracture to heal.

Although some people believe that they cannot do anything about a broken toe, this is not always the case. In fact, health professionals should evaluate most toe fractures. Untreated broken toes can lead to painful problems later.

Foot fractures are common, so it is a good idea to know the symptoms of a broken toe and when to contact a doctor.

Read on to learn how to recognize and treat a broken toe, the different types of fractures and breaks, healing times, and more.

In most cases, a podiatrist, orthopedic surgeon, or family doctor will diagnose a broken toe using a physical exam and an X-ray.

A doctor can often see a displaced fracture with a visual exam of the toe, but they may still recommend an X-ray to assess the damage and determine what treatment the individual needs.

By seeing a healthcare professional for a diagnosis and following instructions about caring for the toe, individuals may encourage the healing process. Treatments for a broken toe include:

• Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE): The RICE method is useful for many types of injuries, including broken toes. It can decrease pain and help the toe heal faster. This may be all a person needs to treat a minor toe fracture.
• Buddy taping: This involves wrapping the toe and taping it to the adjacent toe to keep it supported and protected.
• A post-surgery shoe or boot: These devices have a stiff sole that allows a person to walk without bending the toe. It also helps keep some of the body’s weight off the sore toe.
• Bone setting: For more severe displaced fractures, a doctor may need to put the bones back in their proper place for healing. They would usually do so with numbing medicine to decrease pain.
• Surgery: Surgery may be necessary for more serious toe fractures. Surgeons may need to place a pin in the toe to align the bones and enable them to heal in the right place.
• Antibiotics or a tetanus shot: In some cases, doctors will suggest additional medications in order to prevent infection. This can happen when the skin becomes damaged during the bone break.

People can purchase a selection of ice packs and tape online.

It is important to note that a person should not use ice packs for more than 10 minutes at a time. They should never place them directly onto the skin, as this may cause frostbite.

People should also not wrap the tape around a toe in a circular fashion, as this may constrict the blood supply to the toe and cause permanent injury.

Standard treatment options

As one scientific paper explains, doctors have standard or default treatment options for toe fractures. These vary depending on whether or not the fracture is in the big toe. In all cases, the aim is for the individual to keep their toe as still and straight as possible to better the healing process.

Big toe fractures

Treatment for these fractures is in 2 stages. Doctors will first recommend either a walking boot or a cast, along with a toe plate, for around 2–3 weeks. They will then recommend a rigid-sole shoe for 3–4 weeks.

Fractures in a smaller toe

Doctors will recommend buddy taping and a rigid-sole shoe for 4–6 weeks.

The most common symptoms of broken toes are pain and difficulty walking.

The intensity of these symptoms may vary from person to person. Some people may be able to continue walking on the toe after a break, while others may find the pain debilitating.

Factors that can affect symptoms of a broken toe include:

• the severity of the break
• whether the broken bone has moved out of its proper location or become displaced
• how the bone broke
• where it is broken, including whether it is near a joint
• other medical conditions, such as gout or arthritis

There are a few ways a toe could break. These include stress fractures, falls, and dropping an object on the foot.

Because the symptoms vary so widely and breaks can be mild to severe, many individuals will struggle to tell the difference between a broken toe and another injury, such as a muscle sprain or a bad bruise.

The symptoms of each type of break are as follows:

Traumatic fractures

Painful and significant events, such as falling, stubbing the toe very hard, or dropping an object on the toe, can lead to broken toes. These types of breaks, known as traumatic fractures, are common in athletes.

Traumatic fractures can range from minor to severe. Sometimes, a person hears a “pop” or “crack” sound as the bone breaks, but this is not always the case.

The symptoms of a traumatic fracture will begin immediately after the event and may include:

• pain that does not go away with rest
• throbbing
• bruising
• swelling
• redness

Many traumatic fractures feature a visible bruise that is dark purple, gray, or black.

These symptoms can persist for several weeks if a person does not seek treatment.

Stress fractures

Stress fractures are usually small hairline breaks that occur after repeated stress on the bone. They are a type of overuse injury and often occur in the bones of the legs and feet.

Stress fractures may occur months or years after starting an activity, such as running, that puts stress on the bones.

As a 2021 review explains, stress fractures can occur when muscles in the toe become too weak to absorb impact. Without the support of the muscle, the toe bone becomes vulnerable to pressure and impact. Too much stress on the bone eventually causes it to crack.

Symptoms of a stress fracture in the toe include:

• pain that occurs after activities such as walking or running
• pain that goes away with rest
• soreness or tenderness when touched
• swelling without bruising

Displaced fractures

A displaced fracture means the broken bone has moved out of place. This may occur with more severe traumatic fractures.

As a recent article explains, a displaced fracture in the toe can cause the toe to appear crooked. In some cases, a displaced fracture may break the skin and result in the bone protruding out of a wound.

Healing times for broken toes will no doubt vary from person to person.

However, the average healing time for a big toe fracture will be around 5–7 weeks. For fractures in smaller toes, it will be around 4–6 weeks.

While it is possible for things to go wrong, research shows that only a small proportion of people with broken toes need a surgical follow-up.

Sprains differ from fractures in that the former affects muscles and ligaments.

A sprained toe arises when there is an injury to the muscles and ligaments in the toe. But although sprained toes and fractured toes are rather different, a recent review makes it clear that their symptoms can be similar.

Symptoms of sprained toes include:

• pain
• swelling
• difficulty walking

Sprained toes can take around 4–6 weeks to heal. As with broken toes, R.I.C.E and stiff-soled shoes are a mainstay of sprained toe therapy.

As a 2017 article explains, different kinds of toe fractures have some common complications:

• Sesamoid fracture: Sesamoids are small bones at the base of the big toe. Sesamoid fractures may have difficulty healing, causing long-term pain and negatively impacting athletic performance.
• Hallux fractures: Hallux fractures are fractures of the big toe proper. They can cause deformities of the foot and big toe. These fractures may also reduce a person’s range of motion in their big toe, leading to long term difficulties walking.
• Surgery: Surgical interventions to treat toe fractures may cause nerve damage and lead to infection.
• Cartilage injury: If a fracture enters into a joint, this can injure the cartilage and lead to deformity and traumatic osteoarthritis of the joint.

Injuries and accidents are not always avoidable, but the following steps may help minimize the risk of breaking a toe:

• Avoid wearing non-supportive shoes, such as flip-flops: Flip-flops offer little support to the foot, which can cause unnecessary strain on the muscles and bones. A person wearing such shoes may easily stub their toe. Additionally, these shoes offer no protection for the toes during a fall.
• Replace footwear when the soles begin to wear out: When shoe soles become worn and smooth, a person may fall or trip more easily. This could lead to a toe injury. Examining the bottom of shoes regularly to look for signs of wear may help.
• Exercise: A 2020 review found that regular exercise can reduce the risk of a fall in people aged 65 and over. Falls can cause injuries to the toes, including fractures.
• Manage diabetes: People with diabetes are at risk of neuropathy, which damages the nerves in the feet. This can lead to balance problems, more falls, and injuries to the feet that take longer to heal. Indeed, the National Health Service (NHS) notes that foot problems, in general, can be worse for people with diabetes.

Broken toes are often able to heal on their own. Nevertheless, it is best to contact a healthcare professional for the correct treatment to ensure the bone heals properly.

Proper medical care ensures that a minor break now does not lead to a significant issue later.

There are several different types of breaks a person may incur to the toes. Common causes of broken toes include trauma from sporting injures, stubbing the toes, and tripping and falling.

Treatment and healing time for a broken toe will vary depending on the cause and severity of the break.

Anyone who thinks they may have sprained or broken a toe should seek medical attention to ensure that the break heals properly and does not cause long lasting problems due to incorrectly healing.

Treatments, symptoms, pictures, and healing time

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Here’s our process.

Medical News Today only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:

• Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
• Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
• Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.

Read more about our vetting process.

Was this helpful?

Treatment for a broken toe typically involves a cast or tape to keep the toe straight and promote healing. Depending on the toe, it may take up to 7 weeks for the fracture to heal.

Although some people believe that they cannot do anything about a broken toe, this is not always the case. In fact, health professionals should evaluate most toe fractures. Untreated broken toes can lead to painful problems later.

Foot fractures are common, so it is a good idea to know the symptoms of a broken toe and when to contact a doctor.

Read on to learn how to recognize and treat a broken toe, the different types of fractures and breaks, healing times, and more.

In most cases, a podiatrist, orthopedic surgeon, or family doctor will diagnose a broken toe using a physical exam and an X-ray.

A doctor can often see a displaced fracture with a visual exam of the toe, but they may still recommend an X-ray to assess the damage and determine what treatment the individual needs.

By seeing a healthcare professional for a diagnosis and following instructions about caring for the toe, individuals may encourage the healing process. Treatments for a broken toe include:

• Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE): The RICE method is useful for many types of injuries, including broken toes. It can decrease pain and help the toe heal faster. This may be all a person needs to treat a minor toe fracture.
• Buddy taping: This involves wrapping the toe and taping it to the adjacent toe to keep it supported and protected.
• A post-surgery shoe or boot: These devices have a stiff sole that allows a person to walk without bending the toe. It also helps keep some of the body’s weight off the sore toe.
• Bone setting: For more severe displaced fractures, a doctor may need to put the bones back in their proper place for healing. They would usually do so with numbing medicine to decrease pain.
• Surgery: Surgery may be necessary for more serious toe fractures. Surgeons may need to place a pin in the toe to align the bones and enable them to heal in the right place.
• Antibiotics or a tetanus shot: In some cases, doctors will suggest additional medications in order to prevent infection. This can happen when the skin becomes damaged during the bone break.

People can purchase a selection of ice packs and tape online.

It is important to note that a person should not use ice packs for more than 10 minutes at a time. They should never place them directly onto the skin, as this may cause frostbite.

People should also not wrap the tape around a toe in a circular fashion, as this may constrict the blood supply to the toe and cause permanent injury.

Standard treatment options

As one scientific paper explains, doctors have standard or default treatment options for toe fractures. These vary depending on whether or not the fracture is in the big toe. In all cases, the aim is for the individual to keep their toe as still and straight as possible to better the healing process.

Big toe fractures

Treatment for these fractures is in 2 stages. Doctors will first recommend either a walking boot or a cast, along with a toe plate, for around 2–3 weeks. They will then recommend a rigid-sole shoe for 3–4 weeks.

Fractures in a smaller toe

Doctors will recommend buddy taping and a rigid-sole shoe for 4–6 weeks.

The most common symptoms of broken toes are pain and difficulty walking.

The intensity of these symptoms may vary from person to person. Some people may be able to continue walking on the toe after a break, while others may find the pain debilitating.

Factors that can affect symptoms of a broken toe include:

• the severity of the break
• whether the broken bone has moved out of its proper location or become displaced
• how the bone broke
• where it is broken, including whether it is near a joint
• other medical conditions, such as gout or arthritis

There are a few ways a toe could break. These include stress fractures, falls, and dropping an object on the foot.

Because the symptoms vary so widely and breaks can be mild to severe, many individuals will struggle to tell the difference between a broken toe and another injury, such as a muscle sprain or a bad bruise.

The symptoms of each type of break are as follows:

Traumatic fractures

Painful and significant events, such as falling, stubbing the toe very hard, or dropping an object on the toe, can lead to broken toes. These types of breaks, known as traumatic fractures, are common in athletes.

Traumatic fractures can range from minor to severe. Sometimes, a person hears a “pop” or “crack” sound as the bone breaks, but this is not always the case.

The symptoms of a traumatic fracture will begin immediately after the event and may include:

• pain that does not go away with rest
• throbbing
• bruising
• swelling
• redness

Many traumatic fractures feature a visible bruise that is dark purple, gray, or black.

These symptoms can persist for several weeks if a person does not seek treatment.

Stress fractures

Stress fractures are usually small hairline breaks that occur after repeated stress on the bone. They are a type of overuse injury and often occur in the bones of the legs and feet.

Stress fractures may occur months or years after starting an activity, such as running, that puts stress on the bones.

As a 2021 review explains, stress fractures can occur when muscles in the toe become too weak to absorb impact. Without the support of the muscle, the toe bone becomes vulnerable to pressure and impact. Too much stress on the bone eventually causes it to crack.

Symptoms of a stress fracture in the toe include:

• pain that occurs after activities such as walking or running
• pain that goes away with rest
• soreness or tenderness when touched
• swelling without bruising

Displaced fractures

A displaced fracture means the broken bone has moved out of place. This may occur with more severe traumatic fractures.

As a recent article explains, a displaced fracture in the toe can cause the toe to appear crooked. In some cases, a displaced fracture may break the skin and result in the bone protruding out of a wound.

Healing times for broken toes will no doubt vary from person to person.

However, the average healing time for a big toe fracture will be around 5–7 weeks. For fractures in smaller toes, it will be around 4–6 weeks.

While it is possible for things to go wrong, research shows that only a small proportion of people with broken toes need a surgical follow-up.

Sprains differ from fractures in that the former affects muscles and ligaments.

A sprained toe arises when there is an injury to the muscles and ligaments in the toe. But although sprained toes and fractured toes are rather different, a recent review makes it clear that their symptoms can be similar.

Symptoms of sprained toes include:

• pain
• swelling
• difficulty walking

Sprained toes can take around 4–6 weeks to heal. As with broken toes, R.I.C.E and stiff-soled shoes are a mainstay of sprained toe therapy.

As a 2017 article explains, different kinds of toe fractures have some common complications:

• Sesamoid fracture: Sesamoids are small bones at the base of the big toe. Sesamoid fractures may have difficulty healing, causing long-term pain and negatively impacting athletic performance.
• Hallux fractures: Hallux fractures are fractures of the big toe proper. They can cause deformities of the foot and big toe. These fractures may also reduce a person’s range of motion in their big toe, leading to long term difficulties walking.
• Surgery: Surgical interventions to treat toe fractures may cause nerve damage and lead to infection.
• Cartilage injury: If a fracture enters into a joint, this can injure the cartilage and lead to deformity and traumatic osteoarthritis of the joint.

Injuries and accidents are not always avoidable, but the following steps may help minimize the risk of breaking a toe:

• Avoid wearing non-supportive shoes, such as flip-flops: Flip-flops offer little support to the foot, which can cause unnecessary strain on the muscles and bones. A person wearing such shoes may easily stub their toe. Additionally, these shoes offer no protection for the toes during a fall.
• Replace footwear when the soles begin to wear out: When shoe soles become worn and smooth, a person may fall or trip more easily. This could lead to a toe injury. Examining the bottom of shoes regularly to look for signs of wear may help.
• Exercise: A 2020 review found that regular exercise can reduce the risk of a fall in people aged 65 and over. Falls can cause injuries to the toes, including fractures.
• Manage diabetes: People with diabetes are at risk of neuropathy, which damages the nerves in the feet. This can lead to balance problems, more falls, and injuries to the feet that take longer to heal. Indeed, the National Health Service (NHS) notes that foot problems, in general, can be worse for people with diabetes.

Broken toes are often able to heal on their own. Nevertheless, it is best to contact a healthcare professional for the correct treatment to ensure the bone heals properly.

Proper medical care ensures that a minor break now does not lead to a significant issue later.

There are several different types of breaks a person may incur to the toes. Common causes of broken toes include trauma from sporting injures, stubbing the toes, and tripping and falling.

Treatment and healing time for a broken toe will vary depending on the cause and severity of the break.

Anyone who thinks they may have sprained or broken a toe should seek medical attention to ensure that the break heals properly and does not cause long lasting problems due to incorrectly healing.

Removal of casts | Dobromed

On average, the duration of a person walking in a cast with a moderate fracture is about three weeks. The younger the patient, the faster the bones grow together. Older people can walk with a cast for up to three months. Consider how to remove gypsum, depending on its variety. Let’s see if we can do it ourselves.

Varieties of gypsum in medicine

Before you begin to get acquainted with how to remove gypsum, you should find out what types of fixatives are. The process of their removal directly depends on this. A standard plaster cast causes significant discomfort to patients. It not only hinders movement, but it is almost impossible to wash, for example, if a leg or arm is broken. It is impossible to wet the gypsum, and gypsum crumbs that break off from the inside cause itching. Doctors themselves also note negative factors: it is almost impossible to follow how the bones grow together, since the plaster bandage does not transmit X-rays well. Recently, doctors have been developing new methods and types of fixators that will eventually replace traditional gypsum.

• plastic – the retainer is made of polymeric materials. First, it is lowered into the water, then, according to a certain pattern, it is wound around the limb until it dries completely. The principle of its operation is not much different from the traditional one, but such dressings are lighter in weight and do not bring significant discomfort when moving. You are wondering how to remove plastic gypsum – it is impossible to get rid of it by the traditional method of cutting the material, here you need a special file. Its advantages are that it allows the skin to “breathe” and is waterproof;
• semi-rigid dressings – made of special fiber or thermoplastic. The fixator is elastic, does not constrain movements, but maintains the broken bone in the correct position. It is easy to do x-rays in it if necessary to monitor the state of bone fusion. It is easy to remove such plaster. You can simply unwind, but there are also models that are equipped with a zipper. This facilitates the process of undergoing physiotherapy procedures if necessary. Among the minuses, it is worth noting that semi-rigid dressings are not used for all types of fractures;
• shortened gypsum – has been used for only a little over 20 years, but is not used in ordinary clinics or emergency rooms, since it requires a certain qualification of a doctor. Most often, this type of gypsum is applied when the ankle or ankle is fractured, it is not used for open fractures or immediately after surgery. It is noted that it is easier to remove and control the healing process. It does less damage to tissues adjacent to the fracture.

After how long is the cast removed?

How long you need to wear a cast, calculated only by a specialist. For this, the nature of the fracture is taken into account. The rate of recovery depends on the location of the injury, the age of the patient, and the severity of the fracture itself. Doctors give only average figures regarding the wearing of gypsum. In case of an ankle fracture without displacement, gypsum is applied for 20-25 days, with displacement – up to 35 days. A fracture of the lower leg is considered more complex, a cast is worn for up to 12 weeks. With a broken foot without displacement in a plaster cast, you will have to leave for up to seven weeks, with displacement – almost three months. A fracture of the arm is considered a minor injury, and usually the period of wearing a cast is limited to a month. Some patients ask if the cast can be removed to wash? With a traditional cast, this is not possible, so you will have to wrap your hand in a bag and take a bath.

How is plaster removed?

The technique for removing the cast, regardless of the location of the fracture, is almost the same. It is important to be careful not to hurt the patient. If the bandage is thick, it is cut with special scissors or nail files in two steps. Sometimes, in order to remove the plaster, it is pre-soaked in a sodium chloride solution. Doctors note that it is still worth removing the plaster under the supervision of a doctor, since there is a high probability of damage to the injured area. After removing the bandage, the skin is washed with soap and water and treated with an antiseptic. The plaster longet bandage is removed like a regular bandage, the top layer is gradually unwound. The bandages that fix the splint are cut with Cooper’s scissors and beak-shaped forceps. There are also special plaster scissors, but you must first mark the places on the bandage that will be cut.

How to remove plaster at home: instructions

To remove plaster yourself, you should take a sharp knife, tailor’s scissors, possibly wire cutters and water. But before that, you should still consult with your doctor not only about the removal technique, but also about how to develop a limb after a fracture so that the recovery process goes as easily and quickly as possible.

1. The easiest way is to soak the plaster cast. This can be done even without outside help.
2. Use the dry method, then you will need scissors and a sharp knife. The limb under the cast loses weight over time, so scissors can easily pass there to make a small incision (top-down) and simply pull off the retainer.

The plaster is not cut or pierced from the outside, because in this way you can not calculate the force and stick the point directly into the skin. This process is slow, it is worth cutting into pieces. While the cast is being removed from the leg, it is better not to make sudden movements, as this can cause pain. The most difficult thing is to tear off pieces or crumbs of gypsum from the hairs on the limbs. For this, lotions with warm water are used. After the plaster is removed from the leg, it is worth using crutches for some more time, since the muscles will have time to atrophy during this time, and they need to be developed.

Conclusion

The moment of plaster removal is the most important. This can be done independently with the permission of the doctor, but you need to act carefully. If you can remove the cast from the lower extremities without assistance, then it is more difficult to do it from the hand. It is important here not to rush, to do everything slowly, to give the limbs time to recover. For this, special gymnastics, stretching or physiotherapy procedures are suitable.

Fracture of the big toe: causes and symptoms

Fracture of the toe is common

This article describes an injury such as a broken big toe. The symptoms and methods of treatment are described.

Big toe fracture is a fairly common injury. Despite the apparent simplicity, such damage can lead to the development of unpleasant complications.

Article contents

• Causes of injury
  • Classification
• Clinical picture
  • Complications
• Diagnostics
• Treatment
  • First aid
  • Surgical treatment
  • Medical treatment
  • Rehabilitation
• Prognosis

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Causes of injury

Anyone can break a big toe, regardless of gender, age and occupation.

There can be several reasons for a fracture:

• a sharp and strong blow to the finger or a heavy object falling on it;
• stumbling and getting your finger into bumps in the road;
• traffic accidents;
• sharp flexion of the foot in the area of ​​the big toe is a typical cause for athletes;
• foot caught in a trap.

Conditions that lead to increased bone fragility may predispose to finger fracture. These include osteoporosis, gout, osteomyelitis, thyroid pathology, diabetes mellitus, and cancer.

Classification

Like any injury, a fracture of the big toe in a child or adult is classified according to a number of criteria.

Table #1. Types of fractures of the big toe:

Damage characteristics	Description	Photo
Environmental	open, communicating with the environment; closed, without damage to the skin.	In case of a closed fracture, the skin is not damaged
In relation to fragments to each other	fracture of the big toe with displacement of the fragments relative to each other or the axis of the limb; without displacement of fragments.	Displaced fragments seen on x-ray
According to the severity of bone damage	non-comminuted fracture, where the finger breaks in one place; fragment fracture of the big toe, when there are freely lying fragments.	In case of a multi-comminuted fracture, fragments lie freely
Mechanism of injury	direct mechanism – bone damage occurs at the site of application of the traumatic factor; indirect mechanism – damage occurs at a distance from the site of application of the traumatic factor.	Direct mechanism of injury is more common with hammer blows
By location	fracture of the first phalanx of the big toe, where it joins the bones of the metatarsus; fracture of the phalanx of the big toe.	Fracture of the nail phalanx of the finger

Depending on the type, the symptoms of a big toe fracture will vary and appropriate treatment will be required.

Clinical picture

All signs of fracture of the big toe can be divided into two groups. The first group of symptoms includes those that are characteristic of any injury to the leg. The second group – those signs that are available only with a fracture.

Table #2. Signs of fracture of the big toe:

General symptoms	Direct fracture symptoms
pain syndrome in the area of ​​the damaged phalanx of the finger; swelling and redness of the skin of the thumb; the presence of small hemorrhages under the skin; violation of the motor function of the limb.	abnormal mobility of the finger; non-physiological position of the phalanges; the presence of an open wound with visible bone fragments.

The symptoms will also vary depending on the location of the damage. A fracture of the base of the big toe is accompanied by edema and hematoma in the area of ​​​​the junction of the toe and foot, and spread to the rear of the foot is observed. In this case, it is painful for the patient to step on the foot, which disrupts the motor function.

Fracture of the nail phalanx of the thumb is characterized by a less pronounced pain syndrome. Edema and hematoma are localized in the area of ​​the nail plate, can spread to the middle of the finger.

The main symptoms of a closed fracture of the toe are swelling and hematoma

Knowing what a fracture of the big toe looks like, you can timely send the victim to the emergency room.

Complications

Fracture of the base of the big toe with incorrect or untimely treatment can give some complications:

• curvature of the toe relative to the entire foot, resulting in dysfunction of the limb;
• pseudoarthrosis;
• formation of ankylosis and contractures;
• osteomyelitis.

To avoid these conditions, it is important to know how to identify a fractured big toe and get the person qualified medical attention.

Diagnosis

How to determine a fracture of the big toe reliably?

For this, a set of diagnostic measures is used, the main of which is an X-ray examination:

1. First, the doctor finds out the circumstances and the duration of the injury. This is necessary to determine further treatment tactics.
2. The injured limb is then examined for signs of injury. Palpation traumatologist assesses the degree of bone damage.
3. To confirm the diagnosis, the patient is sent to have an x-ray of a fractured big toe. The picture must be taken in two projections.

What does a big toe fracture look like on x-ray? The picture shows the localization and nature of the fracture line, the presence of free-lying fragments, their displacement relative to each other.

Fracture of the big toe is diagnosed by x-ray

Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are used relatively rarely, mainly when an intra-articular fracture of the big toe is suspected. They can also be used to determine damage to soft tissues and ligaments.

Treatment

To diagnose and start treatment of an injury, the patient must be taken to the emergency room. To do this, it is recommended to call an ambulance, but self-transportation of a person to a medical facility is also allowed. Before starting transportation, first aid must be provided.

First aid

Fracture of the joint of the big toe requires the following initial treatment:

• lay the victim with an elevated limb;
• ice may be applied to a closed fracture to reduce swelling and bruising;
• if the fracture of the phalanx of the big toe is open, it is necessary to treat the wound with an antiseptic, then an aseptic dressing is applied for a fracture of the big toe;
• to prevent displacement of fragments, it is necessary to immobilize the finger with improvised materials or bandage it to the adjacent finger;
• you can relieve the pain of a broken toe with simple analgesics – Ketorol, Nise.

Primary immobilization of a broken toe

After the measures taken, the patient is transported to a medical institution by private car or ambulance. A specialist in the video in this article will tell you more about first aid measures.

Surgical treatment

How to treat a fractured big toe? Treatment will depend on the severity of the fracture.

Fracture of the first phalanx of the big toe, closed, without fragment displacement does not require surgical intervention. The doctor applies a cast in case of a fracture of the big toe, after 3-4 weeks a control x-ray is taken and the cast is removed.

Fracture with displacement of fragments needs to be treated longer. After local anesthesia with novocaine, a closed reposition of the fragments is performed, a fixator is put on for a fracture for the big toe.

A control radiograph is taken to assess the correct reposition. If closed reposition fails, the big toe fracture is treated with skeletal traction. Put it on for two weeks. With positive dynamics, the traction is removed and a cast is applied to the fracture of the big toe for a period of a month.

A marginal fracture of the nail phalanx of the big toe requires only fixation with a splint and bandages. It grows together within 3-4 weeks. After removal of the tire, a bandage is used for fracture of the big toe until its function is finally restored.

Surgery is required for a multi-comminuted fracture. Bone fragments are fixed with metal screws or plates. After that, drainage is installed in the wound and a splint is applied in case of a fracture of the big toe. Every day the wound is treated with antiseptics.

Sick leave for a broken toe is mandatory. Its duration depends on the severity of the damage, the minimum period is 30 days.

When a toe is broken, a cast is applied

After healing, fixators and orthoses are used

Drug treatment

How to cure a big toe fracture with drugs? Drug therapy is of secondary importance and is aimed at eliminating the pain syndrome and accelerating the healing of the fracture.

How to anesthetize a broken toe? Since the pain syndrome is moderately expressed, it can be eliminated with non-narcotic analgesics – Ketorol, Nise. They can be administered intramuscularly or use tablet forms of drugs.

Callus formation can be stimulated with calcium preparations. You can buy them at any pharmacy, the price is quite acceptable. The course of admission is at least a month.

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation after a fracture of the big toe should begin already in the hospital. Continue it for another two months after discharge.

Rehabilitation activities include:

• massage of the injured toe and entire foot;
• physiotherapy exercises;
• physiotherapy procedures – electrophoresis, ultraviolet radiation, magnetotherapy, paraffin and ozocerite applications.

Physical therapy exercises are prescribed by the doctor already in the hospital, then the patient is given instructions according to which he can perform gymnastics at home.

For bone tissue regeneration, the patient needs not only calcium supplements, but also proper nutrition.