How can you tell if your pinky toe is broken. What are the symptoms of a fractured or sprained pinky toe. How are pinky toe injuries diagnosed and treated. What are the common causes of pinky toe pain.

Understanding Pinky Toe Injuries: Breaks, Fractures, and Sprains

The pinky toe, despite its small size, plays a crucial role in maintaining balance and supporting our body weight during various activities. When injured, it can cause significant discomfort and impair our daily functioning. This article delves into the various types of pinky toe injuries, their symptoms, and treatment options to help you better understand and manage these common foot problems.

Why is the Pinky Toe Prone to Injury?

The pinky toe’s vulnerability to injury stems from its position on the outer edge of the foot. This location exposes it to potential impacts from furniture, doorways, and other obstacles. Additionally, the metatarsal bones connected to the fifth toe are frequently involved in foot injuries, particularly among athletes engaged in high-impact sports.

Identifying a Broken Pinky Toe: Key Symptoms and Signs

A broken pinky toe can result from a severe stubbing incident or direct impact from a heavy object. Recognizing the symptoms is crucial for proper treatment and recovery.

• A popping sound at the moment of injury
• Immediate, throbbing pain that may subside after a few hours
• Difficulty bearing weight on the affected foot
• Visible misalignment of the pinky toe
• Swelling and bruising around the injured area
• Possible damage to the toenail

Is it possible to walk with a broken pinky toe? While some people may be able to bear weight on a broken pinky toe, it’s generally not recommended as it can exacerbate the injury and prolong healing time. If you suspect a broken toe, it’s best to avoid putting weight on it until you can seek medical attention.

Diagnosing and Treating a Broken Pinky Toe

When you visit a doctor for a suspected broken pinky toe, they will likely perform an X-ray to assess the type and severity of the break. The X-ray helps identify displacement, bone fragments, stress fractures, and any damage to the connecting metatarsal bones.

Treatment Options for Broken Pinky Toes

The treatment approach depends on the nature of the break:

1. For aligned breaks: Your doctor may recommend wearing a walking boot or cast to immobilize the toe while it heals.
2. Simple breaks: Splinting the pinky toe to the fourth toe (buddy taping) can keep it stable during the healing process.
3. Severe breaks: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to reset the bone properly.

Regardless of the break type, your doctor will likely suggest over-the-counter pain medications, rest, and home care to manage discomfort and promote healing.

Understanding Stress Fractures in the Pinky Toe

Stress fractures, also known as hairline fractures, are small cracks or bruises that develop within the bone over time. These injuries typically result from repetitive activities, such as high-impact sports involving running and jumping.

Recognizing Stress Fracture Symptoms

• Gradual onset of pain that worsens with activity
• Pain relief when resting the foot
• Localized swelling
• Bruising around the affected area
• Tenderness when touching the injury site

How long does it take for a stress fracture in the pinky toe to heal? The healing time for a stress fracture can vary depending on the severity and location of the injury. Generally, it takes about 6 to 8 weeks for a stress fracture to heal completely, but some cases may require longer recovery periods.

Initial Treatment for Suspected Stress Fractures

If you suspect a stress fracture in your pinky toe, implementing the RICE method can help manage symptoms until you can consult a doctor:

• Rest: Avoid putting weight on the affected foot
• Ice: Apply cold packs for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day
• Compression: Wrap a bandage around the toe to reduce swelling
• Elevation: Keep your foot elevated above chest level when resting

Over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen can help alleviate pain and reduce inflammation. However, it’s essential to seek professional medical advice for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Other Types of Metatarsal Fractures Affecting the Pinky Toe

Two additional types of metatarsal fractures can cause pain in the pinky toe area:

Avulsion Fracture

An avulsion fracture occurs when a tendon or ligament attached to the metatarsal bone is injured and pulls a small piece of bone away. This type of injury is common in sports that involve sudden turns or changes in direction.

Jones Fracture

A Jones fracture is a break at the base of the fifth metatarsal bone. This injury can be particularly problematic due to its location and the potential for delayed healing.

Both avulsion and Jones fractures typically present with similar symptoms:

• Localized pain in the fracture area
• Bruising and swelling of the foot
• Pain when attempting to bear weight on the injured foot

Recognizing and Treating Dislocated Pinky Toes

A dislocated pinky toe occurs when the toe bones separate due to trauma, such as banging the toe or stretching it too far backward. Dislocations are relatively common among athletes and individuals over 65 years of age.

Types of Pinky Toe Dislocations

Dislocations can be classified into two categories:

1. Partial dislocation (subluxation): The bones are not completely separated
2. Full dislocation: The bone is intact but entirely out of its normal position

It’s worth noting that a dislocation can occur alongside other injuries, such as fractures.

Identifying a Dislocated Pinky Toe

Common symptoms of a dislocated pinky toe include:

• Pain when moving the toe
• Visibly crooked appearance
• Swelling and bruising
• Numbness or a pins-and-needles sensation

How is a dislocated pinky toe diagnosed? A healthcare professional will perform a physical examination to feel for the dislocation. They may also order X-rays to confirm the diagnosis and check for any associated fractures or other injuries.

Sprained Pinky Toe: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

A sprained pinky toe occurs when the ligaments supporting the toe are stretched or torn. This injury is often caused by sudden twisting movements or excessive force applied to the toe.

Recognizing a Sprained Pinky Toe

Symptoms of a sprained pinky toe may include:

• Pain and tenderness, especially when moving the toe
• Swelling around the affected area
• Bruising or discoloration
• Difficulty walking or bearing weight on the foot
• Stiffness in the toe joint

Can a sprained pinky toe be mistaken for a broken toe? Yes, the symptoms of a sprained pinky toe can be similar to those of a broken toe, making it challenging to differentiate between the two without proper medical examination. If you’re unsure about the nature of your injury, it’s best to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis.

Treatment Options for Sprained Pinky Toes

The treatment for a sprained pinky toe typically involves:

1. RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation)
2. Over-the-counter pain medications to manage discomfort
3. Buddy taping to provide support and limit movement
4. Wearing comfortable, supportive shoes
5. Gradual return to normal activities as pain and swelling subside

In severe cases, physical therapy or more intensive treatment may be necessary to ensure proper healing and restore full function to the toe.

Prevention and Long-Term Care for Pinky Toe Injuries

While some pinky toe injuries are unavoidable, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk and promote overall foot health:

• Wear properly fitting shoes with adequate toe room
• Use protective gear during sports and high-impact activities
• Strengthen foot muscles through exercises and stretches
• Be mindful of your surroundings to avoid stubbing your toe
• Address any underlying foot conditions that may increase injury risk

How long does it typically take for a pinky toe injury to heal completely? The healing time for pinky toe injuries can vary depending on the type and severity of the injury. Minor sprains may heal within a few weeks, while more severe fractures or dislocations can take 6 to 8 weeks or longer. It’s crucial to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions and avoid putting excessive stress on the toe during the healing process to ensure optimal recovery.

By understanding the various types of pinky toe injuries, their symptoms, and treatment options, you can better navigate these common foot problems. Remember that while home care can be effective for minor injuries, it’s always best to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment, especially if you experience severe pain, visible deformity, or persistent symptoms. With proper care and attention, most pinky toe injuries can heal successfully, allowing you to return to your normal activities pain-free.

Pinky Toe Broken, Fractured, or Sprained? Symptoms and Treatment

Your pinky toe may be small — but if it gets injured it can hurt big time.

Pain in the fifth toe is actually very common and can have many causes, including a break or sprain, tight-fitting shoes, a corn, bone spur, or some other factor.

Here’s a look at the possible causes of a painful pinky toe and what you can do.

Your pinky toe is prone to injury because of its location on the outside of your foot. The metatarsal bones leading to the fifth toe are one of the most common locations for foot injuries, especially for athletes.

If your toe is swollen and painful, and home remedies don’t help, it’s a good idea to see your doctor.

Proper treatment early on can help ensure that your toe heals correctly and it doesn’t lead to any other issues.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common causes for a painful small toe.

If you stub your toe really hard, or if you have a direct blow to your foot from a heavy object, your toe could be broken. A break is also called a fracture.

If you experience an open fracture, which includes an open wound or tear in the skin, you should see a doctor immediately.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of a broken pinky toe include:

• a popping sound when the injury occurs
• throbbing pain that’s immediate and may fade after a few hours
• difficulty putting weight on your foot
• pinky toe seeming out of alignment
• swelling and bruising
• burning
• a damaged toenail

Treatment

Your doctor will likely X-ray your toe to examine the type of break. They’ll look for displacement, bone fragments, stress fractures, and injury to the metatarsal bones that connect to your pinky toe.

Treatment depends on the kind of break you have:

• If the toe bones are in alignment, your doctor may have you wear a walking boot or cast to immobilize the toe bones while they heal.
• For a simple break, your doctor may splint your pinky to your fourth toe to keep it in place while it heals.
• If the break is serious, surgery may be necessary to reset the bone.
• Your doctor will likely recommend over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications, rest, and home care.

A stress fracture, also known as a hairline fracture, is a small crack or bruise that develops within the bone over time. This typically happens from repetitive activities like high-impact sports that involve running and jumping.

Symptoms

Pain is the most common symptom of a stress fracture, and it can gradually get worse over time, especially if you continue putting weight on it. The pain is typically worse during activity and eases if you rest your foot.

Other common symptoms include:

• swelling
• bruising
• tenderness

Treatment

If you think you may have a stress fracture, you can perform the RICE method until you’re able to see a doctor. This involves:

• Rest: Try to avoid putting weight on your foot or toe.
• Ice: Use a cold pack (ice or ice pack wrapped in a moist cloth or towel) on your toe for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day.
• Compression: Wrap a bandage around your toe.
• Elevation: Rest with your foot raised up higher than your chest.

Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and aspirin can help ease the pain and swelling.

Depending on the severity, stress fractures are often treated similarly to breaks.

Other fractures

Two other types of metatarsal fractures may also cause pain on the outside of your foot, including your pinky toe. This includes:

• Avulsion fracture. This happens when a tendon or ligament that’s attached to the metatarsal bone is injured and pulls a small piece of bone away with it. This tends to happen in sports, especially with sudden turns.
• Jones fracture. This is a break at the base of the fifth metatarsal bone.

With both types of fractures, the most common symptoms include:

• pain in the area of the fracture
• bruising and swelling of the foot
• pain when you try to put weight on your injured foot

When you bang your toe or stretch it too far backward, you can separate one pinky toe bone from another. This is called a dislocated toe.

Dislocation is fairly common among athletes and people over 65.

Your pinky and all the other toes, with the exception of your big toe, have 3 bones. Dislocation can occur at any of these joints.

The dislocation can be partial, which means the bones aren’t completely separated. This is known as subluxation. A full dislocation is when the bone is intact but completely out of its normal position.

It’s possible to dislocate one toe bone and also have an injury to another toe bone, such as a fracture.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of a dislocated pinky toe include:

• pain when you move the toe
• a crooked appearance
• swelling
• bruising
• numbness or a pins-and-needles feeling

Treatment

Your doctor will examine your toe to feel for a dislocation. They may take an X-ray to confirm a diagnosis.

Sometimes other tests may be necessary to check if you have damage to your blood vessels or nerves.

In most cases, a doctor can manually put the dislocated bone back into position. This realignment is called a closed reduction. You may have a local anesthetic for this procedure so you don’t feel any pain.

Depending on how serious the dislocation is, you may need to wear an elastic bandage, splint, cast, or walking boot to keep the toe in alignment while it heals.

In some cases you may need surgery to fit the dislocated bone back into position. This is known as open reduction.

A sprained toe involves injury to a ligament, not your toe’s bone.

Ligaments are the connective tissue fibers that attach bones to each other and to joints. They’re different from tendons, which are the connective tissues that attach muscle to bones.

You can sprain your toe by bumping it hard or stretching it beyond its normal range of motion.

A sprained toe can be painful, but you’ll usually be able to walk on it.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of a sprained pinky toe include:

• pain while moving the toe
• a throbbing sensation
• tenderness to the touch
• swelling
• bruising
• joint instability

Treatment

Treatment for a sprained pinky toe depends on the severity of the sprain. Sprains are categorized in 3 grades:

• Grade I: minimal pain and loss of function
• Grade II: moderate pain and difficulty putting weight on the toe
• Grade III: severe pain and an inability to put weight on the toe

For grade I sprains, you may only need to rest and ice your toe and possibly do buddy taping.

For grades II or III, your doctor may recommend additional measures, such as a walking boot.

A tailor’s bunion, also called a bunionette, is a bony bump on the outside of the base of your pinky. It can cause your pinky toe to become very painful.

Tailor’s bunions can be caused by an inherited abnormal structure of your foot, where the metatarsal bone moves outward while the pinky toe moves inward.

It can also be caused by shoes that are too narrow in the toe.

In both cases, the resulting bump gets irritated by shoes that rub against it.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms include:

• a bump on the toe that starts small but grows over time
• pain at the bunion site
• redness
• swelling

Treatment

Depending on the severity of your pain, your doctor may recommend:

• wearing shoes that have a wide toe box and avoiding shoes with high heels and pointy toes
• putting soft padding over the painful area
• orthotics to relieve pressure on the area
• a corticosteroid injection to reduce inflammation

In some cases, if pain interferes with your daily activities, or the bunion is more severe, your doctor may recommend surgery.

A corn consists of hardened layers of skin. It typically develops from your skin’s response to friction and pressure, like a shoe that’s too tight.

A hard corn on the outside of your pinky toe can be painful, especially if your shoe rubs against it. If the corn is deep set, it may lead to entrapment of a nerve or bursa (fluid-filled sacs around your joints).

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of a corn include:

• a tough, rough, yellowing patch of skin
• skin that’s sensitive to the touch
• pain when wearing shoes

Treatment

Your doctor may:

• shave a corn or advise you to file it after bathing
• recommend soft padding to relieve pressure on the corn
• recommend wearing wider shoes or stretching the toe box of your shoes

Several types of toe abnormalities can make your pinky toe painful, uncomfortable, or swollen.

Misshapen toes

When your posture or movement is unbalanced, it can put extra pressure on your feet that causes changes to your toes. You may develop a hammer toe or claw toe.

• A hammer toe is when your toe bends downward instead of straight ahead. It can be caused by an injury to the toe, arthritis, ill-fitting shoes, or a very high arch. Some people may be born with this condition.
• A claw toe is when your toe bends into a claw-like position. You may be born with a claw toe, or it may develop as a result of diabetes or another disease. If not treated, your toes can freeze into a claw position.

Both hammer toe and claw toe can become painful. They can also lead to the formation of corns, calluses, or blisters on the toe.

Other toes may also develop corns or calluses because of the abnormal pressure on them.

Treatment

• For both hammer toe and claw toe, your doctor may recommend a splint or taping to keep your toes in the proper position.
• For a claw toe, your doctor may recommend exercises to keep your toe flexible.
• For ongoing problems that don’t improve with conservative treatment, your doctor may recommend surgery to correct the toe.

Overlapping pinky toe

Some people are born with a pinky toe that overlaps the fourth toe. It’s thought to be inherited. In some cases, it can cause pain and discomfort. In about 20 to 30 percent of people, it occurs on both feet.

Sometimes children born with this condition self-correct as they begin walking.

It’s estimated that 50 percent of people with an overlapping fifth toe have pain, including bursitis, calluses, or problems with footwear.

Treatment

The first line of treatment is to use conservative therapies to try to reposition the pinky toe. This can include taping, splinting, and corrective shoes.

If these therapies aren’t effective and pain persists, surgery may be performed.

Your toes play an important role in keeping you balanced as you move, whether you’re barefoot or wearing shoes. Your pinky is the smallest toe, but it’s crucial in helping you to maintain your balance.

It helps to think of your foot as having a triangular base of balance. The triangle is formed by 3 points: your big toe, your pinky toe, and your heel. Damage to any part of that triangle can throw off your balance.

So, it makes sense that if your pinky toe gets hurts, it may throw off your balance and affect how you walk and move.

Be sure to get medical attention if you have intense pain or swelling in your pinky toe, are unable to put any pressure on it, or its out of alignment.

Structural abnormalities can also be remedied with medical treatment.

Less severe conditions, such as a mild sprain, can usually resolve with good home care and OTC products. Sometimes wearing good-fitting shoes with a wide toe box may correct what’s making your pinky toe painful.

Pinky Toe Pain

As small as the pinky toe is, it can become extremely painful when it is injured. Pain in this toe may come from a variety of causes including a break or sprain, wearing shoes that are too tight, or a corn. This toe is more prone to injury because it is on the outside of the foot. An injury to this toe may result in swelling and pain. A broken or fractured pinky toe can happen if it is stubbed from a direct blow or a heavy object falls on it. A sprained pinky toe can happen from bumping the toe or stretching it beyond its normal range. It involves injury to the ligament of the toe. A corn, with hardened layers of skin, can develop on the small toe in response to pressure or friction and often from wearing tight-fitting shoes. Since the varied causes of pain in the pinky toe result in similar symptoms, if you have pain in this toe that does not resolve with rest, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment. This is important to ensure that it heals properly and does not lead to other problems.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of ABC Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Trauma
• Sports injury
• Wearing shoes that are too tight
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Corns and calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Blisters
• Ingrown toenails
• Sprains
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

• Severe pain
• Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
• Signs of infection
• Continued swelling
• Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Columbus, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Fracture of the little finger on the hand: symptoms, how long it heals, treatment

Contents:

• Causes of damage to the little finger on the hand
• Main symptoms of a fracture
• Diagnosis of a fracture of the finger
• Treatment of a fracture of the little finger 9000 6
• Fracture recovery

Upper limb fractures , including the phalanges of the fingers, are fairly common injuries for both adults and children of various ages. Usually such damages are easily diagnosed and do not cause big difficulties in treatment. However, in order for such injuries not to have negative consequences and complications, it is very important to contact a specialist in time, undergo the necessary diagnostics and therapy. In no case should you self-treat fractures, since in this case there is a high probability of improper fusion of the bones, which can lead to immobilization of the finger and loss of functionality.

Fracture of the little finger on the hand is quite common. The reason for this is the peculiarities of the location of this finger on the hand. Being extreme, he suffers most from falls, bumps, and also when working with a variety of mechanisms.

In this case, the nail phalanx is most often affected, soft tissues and the nail plate can be damaged. Regardless of the quality of the treatment, such damage may be irreparable, preserving the deformation of the nail or skin of the finger.

Causes of damage to the little finger on the hand

The causes of this type of damage can be different. The most common is a fall on the hand. Injury can also occur as a result of hitting the little finger with a heavy object, strong pressure on the phalanx, or when the finger enters the mechanism, the action of which is twisting or pressure.

A fracture may be the result of a sports or work injury

In any case, it must be diagnosed in time and treated immediately.

It is important to take into account the fact that not only the phalanges of the little finger, but also the joints can suffer. Such injuries are quite difficult to recognize, since they may not give visible symptoms. In this case, you should pay attention to the functionality of the finger, the presence of discomfort or pain. If, after trauma, any of the signs indicate the possible presence of a fracture, it is necessary to undergo a diagnosis.

The main symptoms of a fracture

The symptoms of a fracture of the little finger are usually quite obvious and allow you to quickly determine the presence of this type of injury. Symptoms that the victim himself can easily identify visually are as follows:

Read more: Treatment of a broken toe

• swelling of an injured toe;
• sharp pain, aggravated by flexion and extension of the phalanx, as well as by stress on the finger;
• occurrence of hematoma – blue or reddening of the finger;
• inability to perform normal manipulations with the affected finger.

If we are talking about a fracture with a displacement, then the deformation of the phalanx will be obvious, the presence of protrusions in the places of displacement of the bones. Open fractures are characterized by the presence of ruptures of the skin and soft tissues, the exit of fragments to the outside.

There are symptoms that the victim himself is unlikely to notice. Their presence is determined by a specialist. These include:

• curvature or shortening of the finger caused by displacement of the phalanx bone;
• the presence of severe pain when stretching the little finger;
• noticeable mobility of fragments, their crunch when pressed.

In the case of an intra-articular fracture of the little finger, it will be somewhat more difficult to determine it. The only symptom that clearly indicates the presence of such an injury will be the immobilization of the finger, the inability to perform the usual manipulations. An accurate diagnosis in this case can only be made after examination and radiography.

Regardless of whether the victim managed to independently determine the presence of a fracture of the little finger or not, he must definitely contact a specialist for further diagnosis and treatment. A competent approach will guarantee the return of all functions of the damaged finger to normal.

Diagnosis of a finger fracture

X-ray can confirm the diagnosis of a fracture

The main methods for diagnosing a fracture of the little finger are a visual examination by a doctor and x-rays. In the first case, the specialist examines the finger, determines the presence of pain during palpation and the load on the phalanx. Also, the doctor must necessarily collect a detailed history – how and when the damage was done.

If the diagnosis of a fracture of the little finger in a child is carried out, then there is a high probability of difficulties in determining the location of the damage. This is due to the presence of uncovered growth zones. In this case, the fracture will not be visible on the x-ray. To determine its presence is possible only with a detailed examination of the injured area, comparing healthy fingers with the victim.

Treatment of a fracture of the little finger

Usually, therapy for a fracture of the little finger on the hand is limited to conservative treatment. It includes anesthesia of the finger, its immobilization. A cast or splint is used to immobilize the phalanx.

In the case of an open fracture with damage to soft tissues and skin, surgical intervention is performed. After fixation of the fracture, a course of physiotherapy is carried out, which contributes to the speedy fusion of the bone and helps to quickly restore the functionality of the phalanx.

If there is a fracture with a displacement, the fragments are additionally repositioned, which allows them to return to their natural position, special pins can also be introduced, which will ensure a more accurate location of the fragments and qualitatively fix the area

The dressing must be applied correctly. The position of the finger should be half-bent. For maximum fixation, a plaster splint or splint is applied from the nail phalanx to the base of the hand. The duration of wearing such a cast depends on how long the little finger will heal. On average, this period is 3-4 weeks. Fracture received in childhood heals faster. Wearing a cast usually comes down to a couple of weeks.

Never try to fix the finger yourself at home. This leads to the fact that after fractures the phalanges grow together incorrectly, the finger is immobilized and has deformities. Such a procedure must be carried out by a specialist in a medical institution and only after diagnosis.

Recovery after a fracture

In order to restore all the functions of the damaged little finger after an injury, it is necessary to undergo a rehabilitation course after a fracture, which includes special therapeutic exercises. They are aimed at developing the finger, getting rid of the appeared bone calluses, puffiness, etc.

If, after removing the cast, the finger continues to bother (there are pain, severe bruising), you should contact a specialist and consult. It is possible that they are the result of prolonged immobilization of the finger. However, there may be situations when such signs indicate improper bone fusion. In this case, you can not do without repeated x-rays, which will show the true cause of the symptoms.

Fingers are the most important tools in human life. They help to cope with everyday activities, engage in art, sports, and work activities. Therefore, it is so important to monitor their health and normal functioning. And at the first signs of damage, both fractures and injuries, or severe bruises, it is very important to contact specialists in a timely manner and carry out treatment.

symptoms, types and how to quickly cure

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Feet – the part of our body that most often comes into contact with a hard surface. Not surprisingly, a broken little toe is a common injury. It is up to 5% of the total number of fractures. This rather severe injury is often underestimated. This happens because in this situation there is no intense pain syndrome. Without feeling severe pain, the victims do not go to the doctor, believing that the broken little finger will heal itself. However, there is no guarantee that it will heal properly without causing complications.

Table of contents

• 1 Causes
• 2 Symptoms
• 3 Types of fractures
• 4 Diagnosis
• 5 First aid
• 6 Treatment
  9 0005 6.1 Medical treatment
  • 6.2 Alternative methods of treatment
• 7 Rehabilitation
• 8 Possible complications

Causes

Causes of injury to the little finger – its uncontrolled contact with a solid object. A broken little toe as a result of an injury is usually a consequence of its small size and the fragility of the bone that forms it. Therefore, care must be taken when walking and moving the legs, since it is easier to prevent a traumatic situation than to treat its possible consequences for a long time.

Symptoms

Fractures of the little finger on the leg are characterized by symptoms that are difficult to confuse with any other. Signs of a fracture of the little finger are as follows:

• bone defect, clearly visible during palpation;
• broken finger shortened;
• pathological mobility of the bone forming the little finger;
• the foot in the area of ​​damage is deformed;
• inability to actively move the little finger, severe pain with passive movement.

In addition, some non-specific symptoms of a fracture of the little finger are known, indicating the presence of grass. These include:

• pain in the injured area of ​​the foot, aggravated by its movements;
• bruising, bruising, bruising, or even just redness at the site of injury;
• swelling at the site of injury;
• the finger assumes an unnatural position;
• complete immobility of the finger.

It is not necessary to perform a special check on the condition of the finger, as it causes more pain. The symptoms are quite visible in natural situations.

It is also interesting to read – how to determine a broken toe.

Varieties of fractures

There are two main types of finger fracture – closed and open. The first is not characterized by a violation of the skin. The second forms an open wound, therefore, during emergency care and treatment, disinfection and enhanced hygiene are required, among other measures. A closed fracture of the little finger does not make it necessary to disinfect the damaged area and protect it from infection. Both open and closed injuries of the extremities, accompanied by bone damage, require medical attention.

There are also displaced and non-displaced, complete and incomplete, complex or simple, intra-articular fractures.

Diagnostics

Fracture of the little toe is easily identified by x-ray. Typically, radiography uses both direct and lateral projection. Analyzing an x-ray, one can not only detect a violation of the integrity of the phalanx, but also establish the presence or absence of displacement of the bones. If it is not possible to determine a fracture of the little finger on an x-ray, then the traumatologist diagnoses the injury as a bruise. Other methods for determining a fracture are only preliminary, they are not used in the diagnosis.

First Aid

If the little finger is broken, then first of all it is necessary to immobilize the leg, as well as fix the damaged area. The leg should not move so that the broken toe does not touch anything. This will help to avoid pain and new injuries. In some cases, to relieve excessive pain, it is recommended to use anesthesia, including medications. Cold compresses and ice packs can also be used as pain relievers. Before the plaster is applied, a fixing bandage will ensure immobility of the finger in case of a fracture, and in the case of an open fracture of the finger, it will isolate the wound and stop the bleeding.

Treatment

There are three ways to cure a broken little toe:

• surgical;
• conservative;
• medicinal.

Surgery is used when it is necessary to quickly heal the little finger with complex fractures. The bone is exposed and artificially fixed in the correct position. However, in most cases, it is enough to fix a finger that is broken for a long time – for this, a conservative method of applying a cast or splint is used.

Medical treatment

The modern way of medical treatment of injuries is not only painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. These are the latest blood-restoring agents, vitamins, and medicines containing calcium, which contribute to the rapid strengthening of bone tissue.

Traditional treatments

At home, the little finger can be quickly restored using chondroitin, the building material of cartilage and bone. Boiled chicken feet contain the greatest amount of this substance. It is also useful to use products containing eggshells, since it contains calcium, which actively helps with fractures.

An interesting article on the topic – how to distinguish a bruised toe from a fracture.

Rehabilitation

Heals a fracture using a cast or other more modern fixative. Walking in a cast with a fracture of the little finger takes 2-4 weeks. Then a month and a half lasts for a recovery period, which should include therapeutic exercises and massage procedures.

Possible complications

If the little finger does not flex after fusion, it may be due to one of the following:

• fusion produces too large callus;
• due to the displacement of the bones, a false joint is formed;
• phalanxes are fused;
• the bone marrow becomes inflamed.

In all these cases, it is recommended to contact a specialist.