How To Treat A Broken Pinky Toe Before Hiking or Camping

What Causes A Broken Pinky Toe

When your frantically getting ready for a camping trip, you catch your fifth toe on an object in the house. You may even hear a crack. Now you’ve got a painful fifth toe with a possible fracture.

Symptoms and Evaluation of a Possible Broken Pinky Toe

I frequently have this type of patient come into my office. Their toe is swollen, black and blue, and x-rays show it’s fractured. The first thing I determine is whether it’s stable. Let’s assume the fracture is stable. The toe alignment is good, but the toe is painful. And of course, you’re getting ready to head out for a weekend of summer fun. Given our short summers in Seattle, you definitely want to take advantage of this. But what do you do to be safe?

Treatment of a Broken Pinky Toe

The first thing I do is tape the fifth toe to the fourth toe, and possibly even the third. Now we’re gonna wrap a fifth toe to help treat a toe fracture. We’re starting with the use of fairly small, self-stick material. This happens to be called CoFlex. The common one available is also called Coban, C-O-B-A-N. Start with the fifth toe. This kind of wrapping is called a buddy splint because we’re gonna go around the injured toe, in this case the fifth toe, and then connect it to its buddy, the fourth. I often also add in the third toe. Now we’ve stabilized the fifth toe.

Second, I assess how much activity you’re going to encounter on your trip. And we want to try to immobilize the toe beyond just taping. One of the simplest things to use is called a postoperative surgical sandal. It’s just a flat sandal with Velcro that does not bend. This is the key. You have to leave the toe alone. Well, how do you know you’re leaving it alone? Well, if you have normal sensation, the best way to know you’re leaving alone is to have minimal pain. So if you splint the three toes together, you put it in a surgical sandal, and you’re just around the campfire and not on a trail too much, this may be all you need to do for at least part of the time.

Third, if you plan to be more active, you cannot be in flip flops. You need to use a shoe or a boot that will stop your leg from moving over the foot and minimize the force on those toes. That could be as little as a tennis shoe. But what I like to recommend in the situation just described, out camping and wanting to be on a trail a little bit, is a lightweight hiking shoe. Preferably that comes above the ankle and where the sole has minimal bending. But if you don’t own a pair, you should go out and get a pair.

So bottom line, injury to fifth toes is very common. Immobilization of the toe with buddy splinting is necessary. And wearing something to protect the toe and stop the bending is crucial.

Need Relief From A Broken Pinky Toe in Seattle, Washington? Request an Appointment Now

Don’t let a broken pinky toe cause you to miss out on the activities you enjoy. Complete the contact form on this page or call our office at 206-368-7000 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Berg.

Most new patients are seen within 1-2 week’s time. During your initial visit, Dr. Berg will spend up to 30 minutes getting to know you, your podiatry complaints, and your goals so that he can recommend the treatment best meets your needs. Don’t wait—contact us today.

North Seattle Foot & Ankle Specialist Dr. Rion Berg offers compassionate podiatry care for all foot and ankle problems to those living in Seattle Washington and the surrounding areas. Call us today at 206-368-7000 for an immediate appointment or request an appointment online.

by Dr. Rion Berg

A podiatrist in North Seattle treating families for over 40 years.

How to Treat a Broken Pinky Toe

While the pinky toe may be the smallest toe, pinky toe pain isn’t always so small. Moreover, hurting your pink toe can cause serious complications — especially if you don’t get the right treatment right away.

Up ahead, we’ll outline what to expect if you fracture or break your pinky toe and need treatment.

What to do With a Fractured Pinky Toe

How to Tell if You’ve Broken Your Pinky Toe

Most people know if they’ve broken their pinky toe. After all, it soon becomes obvious when you can’t seem to put weight on it or walk properly. You may feel a constant throbbing pain or a general ache that doesn’t let up. The toe may also appear bruised and swollen. Stiffness of the toe is common as well.

Seeing your podiatrist should be your first course of action if you suspect a broken pinky toe. You’ll be able to get an accurate diagnosis and a thorough treatment plan.

Broken Pinky Toe Treatment Options

The course of treatment your podiatrist decides upon will depend on several factors, including how your toe was injured, the extent of the injury, and the mechanics of the injury. Some of the most common treatment options are as follows.

Buddy Taping

In many cases, a broken pinky toe simply needs to heel on its own. However, it is far more likely to heel when it is stable and immobile. In this case, the buddy taping method may be used. With this method, the pinky toe is taped to the toe next to it for stability until it heels. For pain, over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen will be prescribed.

Reduction

In some cases, your podiatrist may need to manipulate the bones within your pinky toe in order to set the toe and allow it to heal properly. This is a process called reduction. The toe will be numbed, and the manipulation can be performed without the need for surgery.

Surgery

Finally, when severe pinky toe breaks arise, surgery may be needed. Often, pins or plates will be used to help align and position the bones for optimal comfort during recovery and continued use in the future.

Hurt Your Pinky Toe? Why You Should Get It Checked Out Right Away

Significantly hurting your pinky toe isn’t an emergency, but it’s definitely cause for seeing your podiatrist as soon as possible.

If left untreated, a broken pinky toe can develop an infection of the bone. You might notice redness, warmth, and direct pain in the area if this happens. You could even develop a fever and overwhelming fatigue as additional side effects. If left untreated for an even longer period, the issue may lead to the death of the bone or septic arthritis. Patients with a bone infection will also experience restricted circulation and an increased risk for skin cancer.

On the other hand, if you make an appointment with your podiatrist to have your toe checked out as soon as possible, you will not only mitigate the risk of a bone infection, but you’ll also greatly reduce your pain and discomfort.

If you have recently injured your pinky toe and aren’t sure what to do next, book an appointment with your podiatrist today. We will assess your injury and make a thorough diagnosis for proper treatment and a prompt recovery.

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Another Interesting Article You Might Enjoy: How To Care For Stitches On Your Foot

Callus on the little finger – what to do, how to treat

The cause of the appearance of callus on the little toe is the constant effect of friction and pressure on the skin, as a result of which a roughened area appears on it, which does not pose a threat to health, but provokes severe discomfort, interferes with enjoyment from life. It is quite difficult, sometimes even impossible, to get rid of corns on the little finger on your own, because first of all you need to determine its type, and then choose the most effective treatment. The right decision would be to contact the New Generation Podology Center, where they will help you solve your problem.

Causes of corns on the little toe

The main cause of corns on the little toe is considered to be wearing tight, narrow, ill-fitting, uncomfortable or poor quality shoes. The problem is aggravated by:

• excess weight;
• viral and fungal diseases of the skin of the feet;
• excessive sweating of the feet;
• systemic diseases;
• connective tissue pathologies;
• hypo- and avitaminosis;
• age-related changes in the structure of the skin;
• neurological diseases characterized by loss of sensitivity to external stimuli;
• flat feet and other orthopedic problems;
• history of trauma and surgery.

The appearance of a corn on the little finger is easy to suspect by regularly appearing pain during walking and physical exertion and their disappearance at rest.

Types of corns on the little toe

In podology practice, it is customary to distinguish the following types of corns localized on the little toe. These include:

• Wet callus (dropsy) formed due to intense friction of the skin, which leads to the formation of a bubble filled with liquid on it. The reason for its appearance is, as a rule, tight and uncomfortable shoes.
• Dry callus that looks like a rough and keratinized area of ​​the skin. Wet callus, left unattended and, accordingly, treated, leads to its appearance.
• Callus, characterized by the presence of a root extending deep into the skin. This neoplasm requires professional treatment by a specialist podologist because of its tendency to inflammation and injury to nerve endings.
• Callus characterized by large size and superficial localization (not extending into the deeper layers of the skin). Its appearance causes a strong burning sensation and severe pain when walking.
• Callus resulting from trauma and fractures. If left unattended, it will cause severe discomfort when walking.

Determination of the type of callus on the little finger is part of the professional diagnosis of neoplasms on the feet. It can be done at our New Generation Podology Center, which offers non-surgical treatment of calluses and corns on the skin of the feet with a quality guarantee at a competitive price.

When do you need specialist help?

The problem of blisters on the little toe when wearing new shoes is familiar to many women and men. They, as a rule, even without special treatment heal in a few days, it is enough to seal the entire rubbed surface of the skin with a plaster to avoid infection. But this is not the case with all types of calluses localized on the little toes of the feet. A podiatrist should be contacted immediately in situations where:

• the liquid in the blister is cloudy or has changed from clear to yellow;
• suppuration appeared;
• the affected area has a purplish or bluish tint;
• there is an increase in body temperature and other signs of general intoxication of the body;
• throbbing pain in the affected area of ​​the skin does not go away for 2 or more days.

The above symptoms indicate the addition of an infection, in which any delay can cause irreversible processes. Self-treatment in such a situation is unacceptable – emergency specialist assistance is required.

You should consult a podologist to remove calluses and calluses that do not respond well to conservative treatment at home. Modern therapeutic and surgical techniques, which are practiced by our Center for Podology of the new generation, allow you to get rid of such neoplasms on the skin once and for all, causing severe pain and severe discomfort.

Methods of treatment of corns on the little finger

We recommend contacting a podologist in a situation where self-treatment of corns on the little finger, carried out at home, does not give the desired result. Modern hardware techniques used, including in our Podology Center, allow you to remove a painful growth by:

• laser removal, in which layer-by-layer evaporation of rough and keratinized skin occurs under the influence of a powerful laser beam;
• cryodestruction, which involves the use of liquid nitrogen, the effect of which on neoplasms leads to the so-called cold burn, in which callus cells are frozen and destroyed;
• electrocoagulation, in which the build-up is affected by high-frequency currents, heating its tissues to high temperatures and destroying them to the ground;
• radio waves, under the influence of which the neoplasm is evaporated by a non-contact method, completely eliminating the risk of infection;
• surgical excision performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia using a special apparatus equipped with a set of burs and cutters.

The optimally suitable way to remove corns on the little finger in our Center is chosen by a specialist podologist after an internal examination of the neoplasm, including using a dermatoscope, listening to complaints and studying the anamnesis, obtaining information about the general state of the patient’s health.

fighting corns on the toes

The only reason for the appearance of corns on the toes is rubbing with the walls and straps of shoes. But the trouble from this sea! How to avoid corns and what to do if the fingers are already worn into the blood? Now we will tell you about it.

1. Calluses on the toes: what are they and where do they “live”
2. Finger Callus Patches: Pros and Cons
3. TOP 5 corn protection products
4. External agents – creams and ointments for dry calluses
5. Treatment of corns on the toes with folk remedies
6. Laser removal of corns on fingers
7. Anti-Call Shoes: 5 Rules for Living Without Calluses
8. Conclusion: what to do with calluses

Calluses on the toes: what they are and where they “live”

Before dealing with calluses on the toes, you need to determine their type. We conditionally divide them into three groups: dry, wet and rod.

Dry calluses are hard indurated areas on the skin. They are formed when the skin is rubbed against the walls of the shoe for a long time and methodically. This is a kind of protection of the delicate layers of the skin from friction.

Wet calluses are fluid-filled blisters on the skin. Compared to dry keratinized calluses, they are more painful. Particularly “pleasant” sensations arise when such a callus bursts. The fluid flows out, and an inflamed “mess” forms in place of the callus. And it’s dangerous! First, an infection can get into the damage on the skin. And secondly, if you do not free your foot from shoes or do not protect a vulnerable spot, the bursting callus will be erased “into meat”.

Corn callus is a type of hard callus that appears when dry callus is left untreated. But there is one caveat: the callus is called that because it has a root. It digs into soft tissues and causes excruciating pain when walking and pressing.

Calluses can be located in different areas of the toes: on top (on the phalanges and joints), on the side, on the lateral ridges of the thumbs, in the interdigital spaces and below, on the pads.

Finger callus patches: pros and cons

What is the most popular callus remedy? That’s right, adhesive tape! The patches are advertised, they can be bought both at the pharmacy and in almost any store, and they also cost mere pennies. But are they as good as advertised? Let’s figure it out!

Plasters can be divided into three groups: bactericidal, therapeutic and special for wet calluses.

Germicidal patches

An affordable and cheap option, but bactericidal patches do not cure corns, but rather serve as an airbag between the sore spot and the wall of the shoe. Well, they protect corns (especially wet ones) from bacteria. They will come in very handy if:

• Your callus has burst and you need to get home;
• You know your weak spots on your feet and want to protect them from friction;
• You rub your toe lightly and are afraid that the callus will burst.

Medical plasters

Corn plasters help to get rid of corns. They contain inclusions of salicylic acid and other active ingredients that soften dry calluses and rough skin on the fingers and feet. They are suitable if:

• You have dry calluses on your fingers;
• Skin on toes rough and hard;
• The toes constantly suffer from friction in shoes.

Compeed Wet Callus Patches

Compeed’s special callus patches look like elastic oval pancakes. This patch forms a shell over the wet callus, which protects against pain during friction and contact with the walls of the shoe, isolates the wound from dirt, dust and microbes, and also heals the inflamed area. This is ideal if:

• You rub your toes to the point of blistering;
• Wet callus burst and hurt wildly;
• You don’t want to change the patch often – Compeed stays on the skin for 24 hours.

Pros and cons of patches

Regardless of whether the patches are therapeutic or bactericidal, they have advantages and disadvantages.

Benefits of callus patches

If it wasn’t for the benefits, callus patches would not be such a popular treatment for calluses. And that’s what makes them good.

• It’s cheap. Plasters can be bought by the piece from 1 ruble per piece.
• Easy to use: stick on and go!
• Space-saving: can be carried in your makeup bag or purse.
• They protect pointwise and have different sizes and shapes: you can glue the phalanx of the little finger with a plaster or wrap the whole thumb around.

Disadvantages of callus plasters

Adhesive plasters also have disadvantages. We have identified two:

• Plaster – a one-time remedy, after a quick “wear” of the old patch, you need to stick a new one;
• The adhesive base of the patch can peel off from moisture, which is not very convenient in the heat or with excessive sweating of the feet.

TOP 5 remedies for corns

Another way to prevent corns on your toes is to use special devices. They will not cure existing corns, but they will protect painful areas from friction and pressure, and will also prevent the walls of the shoe from “burning” the skin of the fingers.

Cut Your Own Finger Tube

The protective tube is made of cotton fiber and has a soft silicone strip inside. These fingertips will close a potential or already rubbed callus and protect the vulnerable spot from mechanical damage. The tube can be divided into lengths suitable for your fingers.

Silicone toe caps

Silicone toe caps are suitable for protecting all toes except the big toe. They are made of hypoallergenic medical silicone, which is impregnated with mineral oil. The impregnated gel not only protects the skin from damage, but also moisturizes it.

Gel anti-calf socks

These silicone half socks are cup-shaped pads that fit over all toes and also cover the “bones” of the thumbs and little fingers. They protect the metatarsus and toes from pressure and friction in the shoe. These socks work especially well in closed shoes with heels.

Bursoprotectors

Bursoprotectors with an interdigital septum protect the inflamed “bone” and the second finger, if it is hammer-shaped, from friction.

5 Toe Silicone Correctors

5 Toe Correctors physically separate all five toes from each other and protect the delicate skin between the toes from friction.

External remedies – creams and ointments for dry and wet corns

If the appearance of corns could not be avoided, they can be cured. For this, there are special creams and ointments. These funds can be aimed at softening roughness and dry calluses or healing and disinfecting wet calluses. Choose yourself!

Remedies for dry corns actively soften the skin, including keratinized corns. After applying them, it will not be difficult for you to remove coarseness without damaging the deeper layers of the epidermis. And it is also the prevention of calluses!

Tiger’s Eye – Ortho Dry Calluses Foot Cream

This cream is rich in natural substances, so in addition to fighting dry calluses, it will help to tidy up the skin of the feet. Just take a look at its properties:

• Nourishes the skin, protects against cracks;
• Reduces inflammation;
• Keeps feet free of bacteria.

This cream softens rough skin in 1-3 days, after which it should be gently removed with a pumice stone or a special scraper.

Versana Foot Cream with Lemon and Lanolin

This cream, among other things, has bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties. And it also saturates the skin with vitamins A, B, P and C. A small bonus is the presence of a dispenser in the bottle!

Mozolka Cream Balm

This product is a delicate peeling that gets rid of calluses and corns. It contains enzymatic keratolin, which removes dead skin cells and stimulates the “birth” of new ones. Unlike acids and other aggressive peels, keratolin does not injure the skin. The skin becomes smooth, soft and fresh. A whole complex of natural vegetable oils and extracts will help to fix the effect.

The second group of products is more suitable for dealing with wet corns. The components of these creams and ointments heal wounds and damage, relieve inflammation and have an antibacterial effect.

Active Shilajit Healing Cream with Tea Tree and Wheat Germ Oils

This cream heals all sorts of skin lesions: bursting calluses, wounds, scratches, cracks and microtraumas. And it also restores the skin with chafing and diaper rash.

Doctor Belyakov – Ginseng Plus Foot Gel

Actually, this is a foot fungus gel, but its active ingredients, ginseng roots and elecampane, will perfectly cope with the consequences of wet calluses:

• Soften and rejuvenate the skin of the legs;
• Heal microcracks and wounds from bursting calluses;
• Prevent corns.

OvisOlio Sheep Butter Foot Balm Gel

This balm gel can be used even if calluses are not your problem. It has a complex effect on the condition of the legs:

• It has an antiseptic, healing and anti-inflammatory effect;
• Provides skin cells with a “lethal” dose of tonic substances;
• Fights foot fungus;
• Has a deodorizing effect.

Treatment of corns on the toes with folk remedies

You can get rid of corns and corns on the toes with the help of folk remedies. All of them are available, cheap and will surely be found in every home. Immediately make a reservation that these products are only suitable for dealing with rough skin, dry corns and corns.

Garlic – apply to steamed dry calluses

Pre-steam your feet in a warm bath. Then prepare the garlic “medicine”: squeeze the juice or grate a couple of cloves of garlic on a fine grater to make a gruel. Soak gauze in juice or apply garlic gruel on it and apply to steamed corns overnight. Apply these compresses to dry calluses for 7-10 days.

Onion – to soften rough skin on the legs

Cut an onion and rub its juice on a dry callus or rough skin. Bandage your leg and walk with this lotion for several hours. After 10 days, the corn will soften, and it can be easily removed, and the rough skin will become thin and tender.

Lemon + aspirin – get rid of corns in 15 minutes

Make a paste: grind 6 aspirin tablets with lemon juice. Apply the mixture to a rough callus or corn, and then wrap the foot with plastic wrap. Apply a hot compress on top – a cloth, gauze or towel soaked in hot water. Leave the compress for 15 minutes, and then remove the film, rinse off the paste and rub the rough skin with a pumice stone.

Chamomile baths – for pain relief

Dry calluses appear in places of continuous friction, and this is not only rough skin, but also pain. Warm baths with a decoction of chamomile will help soften the skin and relieve pain. The broth is prepared as follows: pour 4 tablespoons of dry chamomile with 1 liter of boiling water and let the broth brew. After that, make a bath and steam your feet in it for 30 minutes. As a result, the skin will become softer, and the pain in the injured areas will disappear.

Vinegar – fight corns + disinfection

Soak a cotton swab in table vinegar and apply it to the rubbed area of ​​the skin for a couple of hours. Fix the compress with a band-aid. Vinegar will not only soften the roughness, but also disinfect the skin. If the corn is small or medium, vinegar will cope with it in a couple of days!

Aloe + laundry soap – night compresses

Squeeze the juice from the aloe leaf and mix it with laundry soap. In the evening, before going to bed, apply the resulting mass to dry corns, cover with polyethylene on top and leave overnight.

Laser removal of corns on fingers

Laser can be considered as a last resort in the treatment of corns. Most often, this procedure is resorted to by those who launched a dry corn, and in its place a core formed. In this case, it will not be possible to cure the corn on its own, because it has already taken root in soft tissues.

Consult a dermatologist before laser callus removal. The doctor will conduct an examination, give recommendations and, possibly, prescribe tests. Laser callus removal is usually indicated if:

• dry corn has grown into a core;
• they cause pain;
• inflammation began in the area of ​​the callus;
• rough skin overgrown;
• Fissures form on the calloused area (which may ‘bleed’)
• calluses look unaesthetic.

Anti-calf shoes: 5 rules for life without corns

The main rule for life without corns: choose the right shoes! It is she who rubs your fingers. Even if calluses arise due to deformation of the joints of the fingers, these “bumps” and curvature are still rubbed by shoes.

1. Choose shoes according to size

Make sure that the shoes do not “slosh” on the foot. Shoes should tightly wrap around the foot, but not press.

2. Say “No!” narrow shoes

Wide toe shoes are preferred over shoes with a narrow toe.

3.