What are the common signs of a broken pinky toe. How is a toe fracture diagnosed. What treatment options are available for a broken toe. When should you seek medical attention for a suspected toe fracture. How long does it take for a broken toe to heal.

Understanding Toe Fractures: Types and Causes

A toe fracture occurs when one or more bones in the toe break due to excessive force. There are two main types of toe fractures:

• Traumatic fractures: Caused by direct impact or injury
• Stress fractures: Tiny hairline cracks resulting from repeated stress

Toe fractures are particularly common among athletes and individuals with active lifestyles. The pinky toe (little toe) and big toe are the most susceptible to fractures due to their position on the foot.

Common Causes of Toe Fractures

Several factors can lead to a broken toe:

• Stubbing the toe against a hard surface
• Dropping a heavy object on the foot
• Complex injuries from accidents or falls
• Repetitive stress in certain sports or activities

Can a toe fracture occur without noticeable trauma? While most toe fractures result from a specific incident, stress fractures can develop gradually over time due to repetitive force or overuse.

Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of a Broken Pinky Toe

Identifying a broken pinky toe early is crucial for proper treatment and recovery. Here are the key signs and symptoms to watch for:

• Severe pain in the affected toe
• Swelling around the toe and nearby areas
• Bruising or discoloration
• Difficulty walking or bearing weight
• Visible deformity or misalignment of the toe
• Potential infection (in cases of open fractures)

Is it possible to walk with a broken toe? While some people may be able to walk with a minor toe fracture, it’s generally not recommended as it can worsen the injury and delay healing.

Diagnosing a Toe Fracture: Medical Evaluation and Imaging

If you suspect a broken toe, seeking medical attention is essential for accurate diagnosis and proper treatment. The diagnostic process typically involves:

1. Physical examination: The doctor will check for swelling, bruising, and tender areas.
2. Skin inspection: To assess blood flow and nerve function in the affected toe.
3. X-rays: To confirm the fracture and determine its location and severity.

Are X-rays always necessary for diagnosing a toe fracture? While X-rays are the most common diagnostic tool, in some cases, a doctor may diagnose a toe fracture based on physical examination alone, especially for minor fractures.

Treatment Options for Broken Toes: From Conservative to Surgical Approaches

The treatment for a broken toe depends on the severity and location of the fracture. Here are the main treatment options:

Conservative Treatment Methods

• Rest: Avoiding weight-bearing activities to allow healing
• Ice therapy: Applying ice packs to reduce swelling and pain
• Elevation: Keeping the foot elevated to minimize swelling
• Splinting: Using a splint to immobilize the toe
• Rigid shoes: Wearing stiff-soled shoes for protection and support
• Buddy taping: Taping the broken toe to an adjacent healthy toe for stability

Advanced Treatment Options

• Casting: For more complex fractures or those involving joints
• Reduction: Manually realigning displaced bone fragments
• Surgery: In severe cases, using internal fixation devices like screws or pins

How long does it typically take for a broken toe to heal? The healing time for a toe fracture can vary depending on the severity, but most uncomplicated fractures heal within 4-6 weeks with proper treatment and care.

Medications and Pain Management for Toe Fractures

Managing pain and inflammation is an essential part of treating a broken toe. Common medications used include:

• Over-the-counter pain relievers (e.g., acetaminophen)
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen
• Prescription pain medications for severe cases

Is it safe to use pain medications long-term for a toe fracture? While pain medications can provide relief, it’s important to use them as directed by a healthcare professional and not rely on them for extended periods, as they may have side effects or mask important symptoms.

Preventing Toe Fractures: Tips for Foot Safety

While not all toe fractures can be prevented, taking certain precautions can reduce your risk:

• Wear proper footwear that fits well and provides adequate protection
• Be cautious when walking on uneven surfaces or in cluttered areas
• Use protective equipment in sports and high-risk activities
• Strengthen foot and ankle muscles through targeted exercises
• Maintain a healthy diet rich in calcium and vitamin D for bone health

Can wearing open-toed shoes increase the risk of toe fractures? While open-toed shoes don’t directly cause fractures, they offer less protection to the toes, potentially increasing the risk of injury in certain situations.

Complications and Long-Term Effects of Untreated Toe Fractures

Failing to properly treat a broken toe can lead to various complications:

• Chronic pain and stiffness in the affected toe
• Arthritis in the toe joint
• Permanent deformity or misalignment
• Difficulty wearing certain types of shoes
• Altered gait or walking pattern
• Increased risk of future injuries

Can a poorly healed toe fracture be corrected later? In some cases, surgical intervention may be possible to correct complications from an improperly healed toe fracture, but prevention through proper initial treatment is always preferable.

When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention for a Suspected Toe Fracture

While many toe fractures can be managed with home care and follow-up appointments, certain situations require immediate medical attention:

• Severe pain that doesn’t improve with basic first aid
• Open fractures where bone is visible through the skin
• Signs of infection, such as fever or pus drainage
• Numbness or tingling in the toe
• Significant deformity or misalignment of the toe
• Inability to move the toe at all

Should you go to the emergency room for a suspected broken toe? For minor toe fractures, scheduling an appointment with your primary care physician or an orthopedic specialist is usually sufficient. However, if you experience any of the above symptoms or have concerns about the severity of your injury, seeking immediate medical care is advisable.

Rehabilitation and Recovery: Getting Back on Your Feet After a Toe Fracture

Proper rehabilitation is crucial for a full recovery from a toe fracture. The rehabilitation process typically involves:

1. Gradual weight-bearing exercises as directed by your healthcare provider
2. Range of motion exercises to prevent stiffness
3. Strengthening exercises for the foot and ankle
4. Balance and proprioception training
5. Gait training to ensure proper walking mechanics

How soon can you return to normal activities after a toe fracture? The timeline for returning to normal activities varies depending on the severity of the fracture and individual healing rates. Most people can resume light activities within a few weeks, but full recovery and return to high-impact activities may take several months.

Tips for a Smooth Recovery

• Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully
• Attend all follow-up appointments
• Be patient and allow adequate time for healing
• Gradually increase activity levels as advised
• Use supportive footwear during the recovery period
• Consider physical therapy for more complex fractures or slower recovery

Can proper rehabilitation prevent future toe injuries? While rehabilitation can’t guarantee prevention of future injuries, it can help strengthen the foot and improve overall foot mechanics, potentially reducing the risk of future toe fractures and related injuries.

Understanding the Anatomy of the Foot and Toes

To better comprehend toe fractures, it’s helpful to understand the basic anatomy of the foot and toes:

• The foot is divided into three main sections: forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot
• The forefoot contains the toes (phalanges) and metatarsal bones
• Each toe, except the big toe, has three bones and three joints
• The big toe (hallux) has two bones and two joints

Why are toe fractures often less disabling than other foot fractures? While toe fractures can be painful, they are generally less disabling than fractures in other parts of the foot because toes play a less critical role in weight-bearing and overall foot function compared to other foot bones.

Types of Toe Bones

1. Proximal phalanx: The bone closest to the foot
2. Middle phalanx: The central bone in the toe (except in the big toe)
3. Distal phalanx: The bone at the tip of the toe

Understanding this anatomy can help patients better communicate with their healthcare providers and comprehend the nature of their injury and treatment options.

Special Considerations for Athletes and Active Individuals

Athletes and highly active individuals face unique challenges when dealing with toe fractures:

• Higher risk of stress fractures due to repetitive impact
• Potential for re-injury if returning to activity too soon
• Need for sport-specific rehabilitation programs
• Importance of proper footwear and protective equipment

How can athletes prevent toe fractures without compromising performance? Athletes can reduce their risk of toe fractures by:

1. Using proper technique and form in their sport
2. Gradually increasing training intensity to avoid overuse injuries
3. Wearing sport-specific shoes that provide adequate protection and support
4. Incorporating foot-strengthening exercises into their training regimen
5. Listening to their body and addressing minor foot pain before it escalates

Athletes should work closely with sports medicine professionals to develop personalized prevention strategies and rehabilitation plans tailored to their specific sport and individual needs.

Advances in Toe Fracture Treatment: Emerging Technologies and Techniques

The field of orthopedics continues to evolve, bringing new approaches to treating toe fractures:

• 3D-printed casts and splints for improved comfort and fit
• Minimally invasive surgical techniques for faster recovery
• Advanced imaging technologies for more precise diagnosis
• Biologic therapies to promote faster bone healing
• Wearable sensors for monitoring healing progress

How are these advancements improving outcomes for patients with toe fractures? These new technologies and techniques aim to provide more personalized treatment, reduce recovery time, and improve overall outcomes for patients with toe fractures. For example, 3D-printed casts can be customized to fit the patient’s foot perfectly, potentially improving comfort and compliance with treatment.

Future Directions in Toe Fracture Management

Researchers continue to explore new avenues for treating and preventing toe fractures, including:

1. Gene therapies to enhance bone healing
2. Smart materials that adapt to the healing process
3. Virtual reality applications for rehabilitation
4. Artificial intelligence for predicting fracture risk and optimizing treatment plans

While many of these technologies are still in development, they hold promise for improving the management of toe fractures and other orthopedic injuries in the future.

Living with a Toe Fracture: Practical Tips for Daily Life

Adapting to life with a toe fracture can be challenging. Here are some practical tips to help manage daily activities:

• Use assistive devices like crutches or a cane if recommended by your doctor
• Modify your home environment to prevent tripping hazards
• Wear shoes with a wide toe box to accommodate swelling
• Consider using a shower chair to avoid slipping while bathing
• Use ice therapy and elevation regularly to manage pain and swelling

How can you maintain your fitness level while recovering from a toe fracture? While recovering, focus on low-impact activities that don’t put stress on the injured toe, such as:

1. Swimming or water aerobics
2. Stationary cycling with proper foot positioning
3. Upper body strength training
4. Seated exercises for core strength
5. Gentle stretching and yoga (avoiding poses that stress the toes)

Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any exercise regimen during recovery to ensure it’s safe and appropriate for your specific situation.

Emotional and Psychological Aspects of Recovery

Dealing with a toe fracture can have emotional and psychological impacts, especially for active individuals. It’s important to:

• Set realistic expectations for recovery
• Stay connected with friends and family for support
• Focus on activities you can do rather than limitations
• Practice stress-reduction techniques like meditation or deep breathing
• Seek professional help if you experience prolonged feelings of frustration or depression

Remember that recovery is a process, and maintaining a positive mindset can contribute significantly to your overall healing and well-being.

Toe Fractures | Advanced Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, Orthopaedic Specialists, Cypress, Houston, TX

What is a Toe Fracture?

A fracture is defined as a break in the continuity of the bone when a force against your body is too strong for the bone to bear. A toe fracture is when one or more of the toe bones of the foot are broken after severe trauma to the toes or foot. Toe fractures are commonly divided into 2 types namely, traumatic fracture and stress fracture. Traumatic fractures occur when there is a direct impact of your toes on a hard surface. Stress fractures are tiny hairline cracks in the toes, that most commonly occurs due to repeated stress. A toe fracture is quite common in individuals with active lifestyles and athletes.

Anatomy

Anatomically, the foot is divided into the forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot. The forefoot is the front of the foot that includes the toes. The forefoot has 4 small toes called phalanges and 1 large toe called the hallux or big toe. Each of the phalanges has 3 bones and 3 joints, while the big toe has 2 bones and 2 joints. Fractures occurring in the forefoot part of the foot are painful, but very often, not disabling.

Causes of Toe Fractures

A broken toe is an injury generally caused by either stubbing the toe hard or dropping a heavy object on the toe. Normally, it takes extreme force to break a bone. However, toe bones are quite susceptible to fracture as they are small bones and are located on the tip of the foot, thereby being more vulnerable to injury and fracture in the first place. Out of the 5 toes, the little toe (pinky toe) and big toes (greater toes) are the most commonly fractured toes. Sometimes, fracture of the toes may occur in connection with other complex injuries, such as a motor vehicle accident or a fall from a height onto the feet.

Signs and Symptoms of Toe Fractures

Signs and symptoms of toe fractures include:

• Severe pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Infection
• Inability to walk or weight bear
• Deformity

Diagnosis of Toe Fractures

To diagnose toe fractures, your physician will conduct a thorough physical examination to check for signs of swelling, bruising, and tender areas in your toes. Your physician will also closely inspect the skin around the injury to ascertain the toe is intact and is receiving adequate nerve signals and blood flow. If your physician suspects a fracture, he or she will order X-rays to identify the location and severity of the fracture.

Treatment for Toe Fractures

Treatment for toe fractures depends upon the severity of the fracture and may involve the following methods:

• Rest: Adequate amount of rest by not putting excessive weight on the toe and not standing for too long can sometimes help heal a traumatic fracture.
• Ice: Application of ice packs on the toe for 15 to 20 minutes several times a day can help reduce swelling and pain.
• Elevation: Keeping the leg elevated above chest level especially while sleeping helps to decrease any swelling and pain.
• Splinting: Splints may be applied to keep the toe in a fixed position.
• Rigid shoe: A stiff-soled shoe may be recommended to protect the toe and position it correctly.
• Casting: Casting is usually not needed for a simple toe fracture. However, if there is a fracture of the toe joint, multiple small toe fractures, or a broken big toe, then your physician may recommend a walking cast to hold the fragments of broken bones snugly together.
• Buddy taping: The fractured toe is taped to the adjacent non-broken toe with a gauze pad between the toes. The non-broken toe acts as a splint to help keep the broken toe from moving too much.
• Medications: This involves the use of pain-relievers and anti-inflammatory medications, such as naproxen and ibuprofen to control pain and inflammation.
• Reduction: This method of treatment is employed for toe fractures that are displaced where the two ends of the broken bone are out of place. During reduction, the injured toe is usually numbed with anesthesia and your doctor manually manipulates and fixes the fracture fragments or dislocations into proper alignment externally without surgery. This is known as reduction. After reduction, the fractured bone will require support to hold it in place while it heals.
• Surgery: Surgical intervention may be required in severe fractures where reduction is achieved by making an incision on the injured toe and exposing the treatment area, using fixation devices such as screws, plates, or pins internally to maintain proper alignment and position of the broken bones and to hold the bones together in place until they heal completely. These fixative devices may need to remain in the toe permanently.

NHS 111 Wales – Health A-Z : Broken toe

A broken or fractured toe can be very painful, but isn’t usually serious and can often be treated at home. Most will heal in 4 to 6 weeks.

More severe breaks may take longer to heal and may need treatment in hospital.

Symptoms of a broken toe

A broken toe will usually be:

• extremely painful and tender
• swollen
• red or bruised
• difficult to walk on

If the break is severe, the toe may stick out at an angle or the bone may poke through the skin.

It can be difficult to tell if a toe is broken or just badly hurt. Don’t worry if you’re not sure, as the treatment is usually the same for both.

How to treat a broken toe at home

Most broken toes can be treated at home. See below for advice about when to see your GP and when to go to hospital.

The following tips can be used to care for a broken toe:

• Put a piece of cotton wool or gauze between the injured toe and the one next to it, and tape them together with a plaster or surgical tape.
• Keep your foot raised (ideally above the level of your heart) whenever you can during the first few days – for example, by resting it on cushions. This will help reduce swelling and pain.
• Hold an ice pack (try frozen peas wrapped in a towel) to the toe for 15-20 minutes every few hours for the first couple of days. Don’t apply ice directly to the skin.
• Rest the toe by not walking or standing for too long at first, and not putting weight on the toe until the pain starts to improve.
• Take over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve the pain. Don’t give aspirin to a child under 16 years of age.
• Wear sturdy shoes with a stiff sole that don’t squash or bend the toe.

You can gradually return to your normal activities once you’re able to wear shoes and walk around without discomfort.

When to see your GP

Check the toe every day and call your GP if:

• the pain gets worse or isn’t relieved by ordinary painkillers – your GP may be able to prescribe a stronger painkiller
• the swelling or discolouration doesn’t improve after a few days
• you have a wound or broken skin near the injured toe, which will need cleaning to prevent infection
• you have a condition that affects the nerves or blood circulation in your feet, such as diabetes or peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
• you’re still having problems, such as pain not improving or difficulty walking, after more than two to three weeks

When to go to hospital

Go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department if:

• you have had a severe injury, such as your foot being crushed or a road traffic accident
• you think your big toe is broken
• your toes are cold and numb or tingling
• the skin on your toe has turned blue or grey
• the toe is severely deformed – for example, the toe is bent at an angle or the bone is sticking out of the skin
• severe pain under the nail, which may be the result of a collection of blood

Treatment for a badly broken toe

If your toe is badly broken, you may need:

• an X-ray of your foot to check if your toe is broken and how severe the break is
• a procedure to move any out of place bones back into the right position – a doctor can often do this with their hands (no cuts are needed) while your foot is numbed with local anaesthetic
• a procedure to drain blood from underneath the nail of the affected toe, or remove the nail completely if there’s a lot of blood trapped under it
• a cast or a special wooden-soled shoe or boot to support your big toe if it’s broken
• crutches so you can walk without putting weight on the toe
• any wounds cleaned, and possibly antibiotics or a tetanus jab if your vaccinations aren’t up-to-date

If the break is particularly severe, you may need surgery to put the broken bones back into the correct position and fix them in place with special pins or screws.

The information on this page has been adapted by NHS Wales from original content supplied by NHS website nhs.uk

Last Updated:
09/03/2022 14:42:48

signs of what to do, whether a cast is needed

Of all the fingers on the hand, the little finger most often suffers. It is located on the edge of the brush, so it takes on mechanical action. In children, a fracture of the little finger occurs in most cases. Builders and athletes are also at risk.

Contents

1. Causes and symptoms of a fracture of the little finger on the hand
2. Types of fractures
3. With and without displacement
4. Marginal
5. Diagnostic methods
6. How to distinguish a fracture from a bruise
7. Treatment of a fracture
8. Methods of fixation
9. When surgery is needed
10. Restoration of mobility
11. Recovery time

Causes and symptoms of a fracture of the mysin

Fracture of the phalanx of the little finger occurs for several reasons:

• careless handling of machinery, as a result of which the hand gets into the mechanism;
• hitting the finger with a heavy object, such as a hammer;
• excessive pressure on the phalanx, which exceeds the capacity of the bone;
• unsuccessful fall on the arm.

In the elderly, fractures can occur due to a decrease in bone density – osteoporosis. This is especially true for women during menopause – a deficiency of sex hormones provokes poor absorption of calcium and other minerals.

A clear sign of a fracture of the little finger

Symptoms of a fracture of the little finger:

• there is pain and swelling in the place where a strong blow fell;
• hematoma under the skin due to rupture of small vessels;
• a displaced fracture will show an unnatural curvature of the finger;
• with an open fracture, there is a violation of the skin and a bone of the phalanx protruding from the wound is visible.

It is very painful to touch an injured finger, besides, it does not move well, as nerve fibers and sometimes muscles are broken.

No

47.83%

Yes

52.17%

Repeatedly

0%

Voted: 23

Types of fractures

The integrity of the bone can be broken in two ways – traumatic and pathological. In the first case, there is a mechanical load (shock, fall, work injury). In the second, the fracture is the result of some metabolic disease or autoimmune processes. The strength of the skeleton in this case suffers not only in the area of ​​​​the hands – a fracture can occur in any other part of the body with little effort.

Types of fractures:

• Open and closed – with and without damage to the skin.
• Without offset and with offset. In the first case, the periosteum is not damaged and the bone fragments are not separated from each other. In the second case, the bone fragments are shifted and located at some distance.
• Intra-articular – affected area of ​​the joint.
• Extra-articular – bone breaks outside the joint.

Type of violation of the integrity of the bone:

• fracture – the crack occupies more than half of the diameter of the bone tube in the plane;
• fissure – can be located along the bone or across, most often within one phalanx;
• cracking – a section of a finger or phalanx is damaged by cracks from all sides, while the fragments can be located close.

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If there are all signs of a broken little finger, you need to visit a traumatologist and take an x-ray. This reduces the risk of improper fusion, as treatment or surgery is immediately prescribed. In case of untimely treatment to the hospital, the functions of the little finger may be lost.

With and without displacement

Finger fractures with and without slight displacement are treated with a cast. In some cases, fixation of fragments is not required. In places of fracture, an increase in callus occurs.

Fractures with severe displacement require surgical correction of bone fragments. For their fixation, plates, knitting needles, screws are used to avoid ankylosis and joint stiffness in the future. Gypsum splint after fixation is usually not used.

Severe multi-comminuted finger fractures require special attention. In this case, the doctor can install an external fixation device.

Types of displacement of bone fragments:

• angled;
• offset in width, broken parts spread apart;
• in length – fragments are displaced along the bone axis;
• rotary (spiral twist).

Even a slight displacement of the fragments leads to a change in the shape of the finger.

Marginal

A fracture of the nail phalanx is called a marginal fracture of the little finger. This injury is caused by improper handling of the hammer. The bone is crushed and the skin is damaged. Sometimes it may be necessary to amputate the extreme phalanx due to infection and suppuration.

Such an injury can lead to a shortened finger.

Diagnostic methods

It is possible to accurately diagnose a fracture, crack, fracture or intra-articular injury only with the help of hardware methods – X-ray or CT.

There are reliable signs of a fracture that you need to pay attention to:

• crepitation of bone fragments – a crunch in the little finger;
• pathological mobility of a finger or its individual phalanges relative to other parts of the same finger;
• deformity of the phalanx, but no mobility.

All other manifestations of trauma can be classified as doubtful, requiring confirmation.

How to distinguish a fracture from a bruise

Hematoma with a bruise of the little finger

The main criterion is pain. With a fracture of the little finger and its bruise, painful sensations manifest themselves in different ways. When a finger is bruised, it hurts almost constantly. If there is a fracture, the pain increases sharply when you try to move your hand.

Hematoma with a fracture can occupy most of the hand (not only on the little finger). It develops instantly after injury, with a bruise, this process occurs more slowly – up to 2 hours.

It is more difficult to distinguish a comminuted fracture without displacement from a bruise. In some cases, such injuries heal without the intervention of doctors for 3-4 weeks.

Treatment of a fracture

A broken little finger must be treated correctly so that the hand does not lose its function, especially if the professional activity of a person is connected with the hands.

First, a diagnosis is made, a surgical operation is performed if necessary, and a cast is applied to the little finger and wrist. For some time the patient walks with a splint, then it is necessary to carry out rehabilitation. It consists in returning the mobility of the hand, fingers and joints.

Methods of fixation

Connection of bone fragments is performed using various plates made of high-tech materials. Implants are made in the form of screws, pins, wires, plates, spokes.

There are contraindications for internal osteosynthesis:

• open fracture with a large affected area;
• severe general condition of the patient;
• local or general infectious process;
• diseases of internal organs;
• osteoporosis;
• pronounced vascular insufficiency in the extremities.

Osteosynthesis is the most suitable for fingers, as the bones here are small. Plates are used, which are fastened with screws.

When surgery is needed

Surgery is indicated for severe injuries

Absolute indications for surgery are fractures that will not heal without osteosynthesis and reposition (assembly) of the bones.

The decision on the operation is made by the doctor, based on the results of hardware diagnostics.

Operation is necessary in the following cases:

• there is displacement of the bones relative to each other;
• comminuted fracture;
• bone fragments are located far from each other;
• the bone is shattered and requires amputation.

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In case of a marginal fracture, surgery may be required, as blood accumulates in the nail bed and the nail is deformed. It is necessary to remove the nail plate and eliminate the blood clot. Even after all surgical measures, the nail plate may remain deformed.

Re-mobilization

The rehabilitation period begins at the stage of finger fixation. A person cannot move the damaged part, but the surrounding muscles must be kneaded . This allows you to increase the blood supply in the fracture zone.

To promote healing, it is recommended to take Calcium and Magnesium Supplement and B Vitamins to repair nerve fibers damaged by injury.

After removing the cast, the doctor recommends physiotherapy, as well as exercise therapy to restore strength in the hand. salt baths help – they relieve swelling, accelerate metabolic processes in tissues. To relieve puffiness, you can do massage from the tip of the finger to the palm. This makes the lymphatic fluid move faster and not accumulate in the limbs.

Recovery after an intra-articular fracture takes the longest time, since the cartilage layer can be damaged here. Often, after such an injury, arthrosis progresses in a person and ankylosis in the joint is observed.

Recovery period

Period of postoperative wearing of a plaster cast 3-4 weeks . Healing times may vary depending on age: in young people, fusion occurs in 2 weeks, in older people it can take up to 2 months due to slow metabolism.

The traumatologist of the Mariinsky hospital explained why a fracture can be confused with a bruise

• Health

You fell or hit hard, the result is pain, swelling and complete uncertainty: is it a severe bruise or is it a fracture? How to distinguish one injury from another, said traumatologist Sergei Chernyaev.

September 17, 20216

Source:

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“Slipped, fell, woke up, plaster of paris” — this catchphrase from the movie “The Diamond Arm” is well known to everyone. It’s good if a doctor suddenly appears next to you, who, after examination, will issue a verdict: this is a severe bruise, you should not panic. Or: this is a fracture, here you definitely can’t do without a traumatologist and a cast.

Open fractures are immediately visible, they definitely cannot be confused with anything. But, for example, after a strong blow, the finger on the hand may swell, hurt, and it is not clear to the person what it is: a severe bruise or already a fracture. How to distinguish one from the other, “Doctor Peter” asked the head of the traumatology department of the Mariinsky hospital, Sergei Chernyaev.

What a bruise looks like

In case of a severe bruise, edema appears in the near future, and in some cases also a hematoma. A bruise can also look like an ordinary bruise.

More often than not, we all get bruises after a fall. As a rule, the consequences of such an injury disappear within 2-3 weeks. The victim is in no hurry to see a traumatologist: the swollen place is smeared with special gels or ointments, sometimes they do without any treatment at all.

“But I still advise you to go to the doctor, especially if the sore spot bothers you. This is necessary in order not to miss a serious injury, for example, a ligament injury,” says Sergey Chernyaev.

Read also

About a fracture

First thought after a blow or a fall: “What if the bone is still broken, but I don’t even notice?”

“As for a fracture, after an injury, an arm, leg or other part of the body may be deformed – this can be seen with the naked eye. Pain and swelling appear immediately. The patient may feel the so-called pathological mobility – there is movement in the place where it should not be. The fracture will hurt a lot, ”explains the expert.

If you have broken a bone, then in this case you cannot do without the help of a traumatologist. The doctor sends the patient for an x-ray, if necessary, makes a reposition (returns the displaced bone into place – Note ed. ), then applies a cast. With it, the patient walks from 2 to 6 months – the period depends on the location and characteristics of the fracture. To date, many fractures are subject to surgical treatment, since conservative treatment leads to a worse result.

What a fracture looks like:

• part of the body is deformed;

• edema appears;

• skin bruises within a few hours;

• a person sometimes feels excessive mobility;

• a fracture always starts to hurt immediately after an injury, this pain cannot be stopped.

The nature of the pain is the main indicator

“Usually a bruise is received like this: a person falls, hits in some place, pain appears, which then passes. After some time, it returns and is already on the rise – it becomes more and more painful. This is a sure sign of injury. It’s easy to remember: if the pain went away and then returned, then it is most likely a bruise, not a fracture. Another important detail in fractures – swelling and bruising appear much faster, they are more pronounced. If the pain does not go away, but only gets worse, then you urgently need to go to the emergency room. You also need to know that with fractures, a bruise appears much faster, ”says the traumatologist.

Why you can confuse a fracture with a bruise

Among your acquaintances, there are probably those who walk for several weeks with a “bruise”, which, after examination, turned out to be a fracture.

“There could be several reasons for this. For example, a patient went to a traumatologist, but the victim was taken a picture incorrectly, so they did not see a fracture, they mistook the injury for a bruise.