How can you tell if your toe is broken or sprained. What are the common causes of toe fractures. When should you see a doctor for a toe injury. What treatment options are available for broken toes. How long does it take for a broken toe to heal.

Understanding Toe Fractures: Symptoms and Diagnosis

Toe injuries are common occurrences that can happen to anyone, whether from stubbing your toe or dropping something heavy on your foot. But how can you tell if your toe is broken or just badly bruised? Let’s explore the key symptoms and diagnostic methods for toe fractures.

Common Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Throbbing pain in the affected toe
• Swelling and bruising around the injury site
• Difficulty walking or bearing weight on the injured foot
• Visible deformity or unnatural angle of the toe (in severe cases)
• A cracking sound at the time of injury

Can you differentiate between a broken toe and a sprain? While both injuries share some symptoms, a broken toe often presents with more severe pain, significant bruising, and potential deformity. In contrast, a sprained toe may have less bruising and typically improves within a few days.

Diagnosing a Toe Fracture

Is self-diagnosis reliable for toe injuries? While it’s tempting to diagnose yourself, the only definitive way to determine if your toe is broken is to consult a medical professional. Your doctor will likely order an X-ray to confirm the diagnosis and assess the severity of the fracture.

Causes and Risk Factors for Toe Fractures

Understanding the common causes of toe fractures can help you take preventive measures to protect your feet. Let’s examine the primary culprits behind these painful injuries.

Primary Causes of Broken Toes

1. Stubbing your toe against a hard object
2. Dropping a heavy item on your foot
3. Sports-related impacts or collisions
4. Falls or accidents that put excessive force on the toes

Are certain individuals more prone to toe fractures? While anyone can experience a broken toe, some risk factors may increase your susceptibility:

• Going barefoot, especially in unfamiliar environments or in the dark
• Wearing inadequate footwear when handling heavy objects
• Participating in high-impact sports or activities
• Having weakened bones due to conditions like osteoporosis

The Importance of Seeking Medical Attention for Toe Injuries

Many people underestimate the significance of a toe injury, assuming there’s little that can be done. However, ignoring a potentially broken toe can lead to serious complications. Here’s why it’s crucial to seek medical attention:

Potential Complications of Untreated Toe Fractures

• Chronic pain and discomfort
• Development of osteoarthritis in the affected joint
• Improper healing leading to toe deformity
• Difficulty walking or participating in regular activities
• Possible nerve damage, especially if experiencing numbness or tingling

Should you see a doctor for every toe injury? While not every toe injury requires immediate medical attention, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional if you experience severe pain, significant swelling, or if symptoms don’t improve after a few days.

Treatment Options for Broken Toes

The treatment for a broken toe depends on the severity of the fracture. Let’s explore the various approaches to managing toe fractures, from conservative methods to more invasive interventions.

Conservative Treatment Approaches

For minor toe fractures, conservative treatment methods are often sufficient. These may include:

• Rest and elevation of the affected foot
• Applying ice to reduce swelling
• Using over-the-counter pain relievers
• “Buddy taping” – securing the broken toe to an adjacent healthy toe
• Wearing comfortable, wide-toed shoes to accommodate swelling

Medical Interventions for Severe Fractures

In cases of more severe toe fractures, medical intervention may be necessary. These treatments could involve:

• Reduction – manually realigning the broken bone
• Splinting or casting to immobilize the toe
• Surgical intervention for complex fractures
• Insertion of pins or screws to stabilize the bone

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 of the break and the individual’s overall health. Generally, minor fractures may heal within 4-6 weeks, while more severe breaks could take up to 8 weeks or longer.

Recovery and Rehabilitation for Toe Fractures

Proper recovery and rehabilitation are crucial for ensuring optimal healing and preventing long-term complications from a toe fracture. Let’s explore the key aspects of the recovery process.

Steps in the Recovery Process

1. Initial rest and protection of the injured toe
2. Gradual return to weight-bearing activities as advised by your doctor
3. Gentle exercises to maintain flexibility and strength
4. Proper footwear selection to support healing
5. Follow-up appointments to monitor progress

When can you resume normal activities after a toe fracture? The timeline for returning to regular activities varies depending on the severity of the fracture and your individual healing progress. It’s crucial to follow your doctor’s guidance and avoid rushing the recovery process to prevent re-injury or complications.

Rehabilitation Exercises for Toe Fractures

Once your doctor gives you the green light, incorporating gentle exercises can help restore flexibility and strength to your injured toe. Some beneficial exercises may include:

• Toe curls and stretches
• Marble pickups with toes
• Ankle rotations
• Gentle foot massages

Remember to start slowly and gradually increase the intensity of your exercises as your toe heals and becomes stronger.

Preventing Toe Fractures: Tips and Best Practices

While it’s impossible to completely eliminate the risk of toe fractures, there are several measures you can take to reduce your chances of experiencing this painful injury. Let’s explore some effective prevention strategies.

Footwear Choices for Toe Protection

Your choice of footwear plays a crucial role in protecting your toes from potential injuries. Consider the following tips:

• Wear shoes with a wide toe box to allow for natural toe movement
• Choose shoes with sturdy soles to protect against impacts
• Opt for steel-toed boots when working with heavy objects
• Avoid going barefoot, especially in unfamiliar environments

Environmental Awareness and Safety Measures

Being mindful of your surroundings can significantly reduce the risk of toe injuries. Consider these precautions:

• Keep walkways clear of clutter and potential tripping hazards
• Use adequate lighting in your home, especially at night
• Be cautious when walking on uneven surfaces or in crowded areas
• Take extra care when moving heavy furniture or objects

How can athletes reduce their risk of toe fractures? For those participating in sports, consider these additional preventive measures:

• Wear appropriate sports-specific footwear
• Use proper technique and form during activities
• Gradually increase the intensity of your training to build foot strength
• Be aware of your surroundings during play to avoid collisions

When to Seek Emergency Care for Toe Injuries

While many toe injuries can be managed with conservative treatment, some situations require immediate medical attention. Understanding when to seek emergency care can prevent serious complications and ensure proper treatment.

Signs That Warrant Immediate Medical Attention

If you experience any of the following symptoms after a toe injury, it’s crucial to seek emergency care:

• Severe pain that doesn’t subside with rest and over-the-counter pain relievers
• Open fractures where the bone has pierced the skin
• Significant deformity or misalignment of the toe
• Signs of infection, such as fever, increased redness, or pus
• Numbness or tingling in the toe that persists
• Inability to move the toe at all

Can delayed treatment of a toe fracture lead to complications? Yes, postponing medical care for a severe toe fracture can result in various complications, including:

• Improper healing leading to chronic pain
• Increased risk of arthritis in the affected joint
• Permanent deformity of the toe
• Potential need for more invasive treatments if the injury worsens

What to Expect in the Emergency Room

If you need to visit the emergency room for a toe injury, here’s what you can typically expect:

1. A thorough examination of the injured toe and foot
2. X-rays to determine the extent of the fracture
3. Possible realignment of the toe if severely misaligned
4. Treatment for any open wounds or cuts
5. Pain management and instructions for at-home care
6. Referral to a specialist if necessary

Remember, it’s always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to toe injuries. If you’re unsure about the severity of your injury, don’t hesitate to seek professional medical advice.

Long-Term Outlook and Potential Complications of Toe Fractures

Understanding the long-term implications of a toe fracture can help you make informed decisions about your treatment and recovery. Let’s explore the potential outcomes and complications associated with toe fractures.

Typical Prognosis for Toe Fractures

In most cases, toe fractures heal well with proper treatment and care. Here’s what you can generally expect:

• Complete healing within 4-8 weeks for most fractures
• Gradual return to normal activities without pain
• Possible mild stiffness in the toe that improves over time
• Minimal long-term effects if treated properly

Do all toe fractures heal without complications? While most toe fractures heal well, some factors can influence the healing process and potentially lead to complications:

• Severity of the initial injury
• Timeliness and appropriateness of treatment
• Patient’s overall health and age
• Compliance with treatment recommendations

Potential Long-Term Complications

In some cases, toe fractures can lead to long-term issues. These may include:

• Chronic pain or discomfort in the affected toe
• Development of post-traumatic arthritis
• Permanent deformity or misalignment of the toe
• Increased susceptibility to future injuries
• Gait changes that may affect overall foot mechanics

How can you minimize the risk of long-term complications? To optimize your recovery and reduce the risk of long-term issues:

• Follow your doctor’s treatment plan diligently
• Attend all follow-up appointments
• Gradually reintroduce activities as advised
• Maintain good foot health practices
• Consider physical therapy if recommended

By understanding the potential long-term outcomes of toe fractures, you can take proactive steps to ensure the best possible recovery and maintain optimal foot health in the future.

Common Symptoms and Treatment of a Fractured Toe

Toe injuries due to dropping something on it or stubbing a toe are common, but many people wonder how to tell if the toe is broken, sprained, or just bruised. It can be tempting to ignore an injured toe, but you’re at risk of improper healing that can impair your ability to participate in regular activities without pain for a long time. Fortunately, if the toe is broken, a foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon in Atlanta can help treat your toe. Here are the symptoms of a broken toe as well as how it should be treated.

Symptoms of a Break

The symptoms of a broken toe are very similar to that of a bad sprain. There will be swelling and bruising on and around the toe. As with a sprain, you’ll have difficulty putting weight on the foot if you have a broken toe. If the break is severe, you’ll probably be able to tell that the toe is broken because of the unnatural angle of the toe. You may have even heard a breaking sound when the injury occurred. If you originally suspect the toe is just sprained, you may wait a few days to see a doctor. If this is the case, the pain won’t subside after a few days like it will with a sprain. The only way to determine if the toe is broken is to see a doctor who will usually order an x-ray. 

Importance of Seeing a Doctor

Many people dismiss the seriousness of a broken toe because they assume there’s not much an orthopedic foot specialist in Atlanta can do about a broken toe. However, ignoring a broken toe can lead to a chronic, painful condition called osteoarthritis, which causes pain in the joints. In addition to future problems from the broken toe itself, you may have sustained nerve damage, especially if you have tingling or numbness in your toe. Visiting the doctor can help assess the severity of the break to determine what course of treatment will be best.

Treating a Broken Toe

If a toe isn’t seriously broken, it will heal on its own without much intervention from the doctor. You can ice the toe, keep it elevated, and take over-the-counter pain relievers while the toe heals. However, in more serious breaks, the doctor may recommend splinting the toe by taping the broken toe to the adjacent toe with medical tape to keep the toe from moving while it heals. A very serious break may require an orthopedic surgeon to perform surgery to reset the broken bone. Sometimes, a permanent pin is placed in the bone to ensure it heals properly. With a broken toe, it’s important to allow yourself time for the toe to fully heal. Returning to regular activity too soon will prolong healing time and possibly cause more damage.

How to Tell if Your Toe is Broken

Is it a sprain or a break?

If you’ve ever stubbed your toe hard, the immediate, severe pain can leave you wondering if your toe is broken. In many cases, the injury winds up being a sprain. This is painful, but it means the bone itself is still intact.

If the toe bone breaks into one or more pieces, then you have a broken toe.

Learning to recognize the symptoms and treatment of a broken toe is important. If a broken toe is left untreated, it can lead to problems that may affect your ability to walk and run. A poorly treated broken toe may also leave you in a lot of pain.

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

Throbbing pain in the toe is the first sign that it may be broken. You may also hear the bone break at the time of injury. A broken bone, also called a fracture, may also cause swelling at the break.

If you’ve broken your toe, the skin near the injury may looked bruised or temporarily change color. You’ll also have difficulty putting any weight on your toe. Walking, or even just standing, can be painful. A bad break can also dislocate the toe, which can cause it to rest at an unnatural angle.

A sprained toe shouldn’t look dislocated. It will still swell, but will likely have less bruising. A sprained toe may be painful for several days, but should then begin to improve.

One other key difference between a break and a sprain is the location of the pain. Usually a break will hurt right where the bone has fractured. With a sprain, the pain may be felt in a more general area around the toe.

The only way to tell for sure if the injury is a break or a sprain is to see your doctor. They can examine your toe and determine the type of injury.

Causes

The two most common causes of a broken toe are stubbing it into something hard or having something heavy land on it. Going barefoot is a major risk factor, especially if you’re walking in the dark or in an unfamiliar environment.

If you carry heavy objects without proper foot protection, such as thick boots, you’re also at a higher risk for a broken toe.

What to expect when you see your doctor

A broken toe can usually be diagnosed with the use of an X-ray. If the pain and discoloration don’t ease up after a few days, you should definitely see your doctor.

A broken toe that doesn’t heal properly could lead to osteoarthritis, a painful condition that causes chronic pain in one or more joints.

Your doctor will examine your toe and ask for your medical history. Tell your doctor as many details as you can about the injury and your symptoms. Be sure to tell your doctor if you notice a loss of feeling or tingling in your toe. This could be a sign of nerve damage.

If there’s a chance the toe is broken, your doctor will likely want to get one or more X-rays of the injured toe. Getting images from different angles is important to understand the extent of the break.

Information from the X-ray will also help your doctor decide whether surgery is necessary.

Treatment of a Broken Toe

With most cases of a broken toe, there’s little your doctor can do. It’s mostly up to you to rest your toe and keep it stable.

Even before you know whether your toe is broken, you should ice the injured toe and keep it elevated. You may also take over-the-counter painkillers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve).

If you have surgery to repair the toe, your doctor may prescribe stronger pain medicines.

Splinting your toe

Typical treatment for a broken toe is called “buddy taping.” This involves taking the broken toe and carefully securing it to the toe next to it with medical tape. Usually, a gauze pad is placed between the toes to prevent skin irritation.

The non-broken toe is basically used as a splint to help keep the broken toe from moving too much. By taping the broken toe to its neighbor, you give the injured toe the support it needs to begin healing.

Surgery and additional treatment options

More serious breaks may require additional treatment. If you have bone fragments in the toe that need to heal, taping may not be enough.

You may be advised to wear a walking cast. This helps keep the injured toe stable while also giving your foot enough support to reduce some of the pain you may have while walking.

In very serious cases, surgery may be necessary to reset the broken bone or bones. A surgeon can sometimes put a pin or a screw into the bone to help it heal properly. These pieces of hardware will remain in the toe permanently.

Recovery for a Broken Toe

Your toe is likely to be tender and swollen, even after a few weeks. You’ll likely need to avoid running, playing sports, or walking long distances for one to two months after your injury.

Recovery time can be longer if the break is in one of the metatarsals. The metatarsals are the longer bones in the foot that connect to the phalanges, which are the smaller bones in the toes.

Your doctor can give you a good estimate of recovery time based on the severity and location of your injury. A mild fracture, for example, should heal faster than a more severe break.

With a walking cast, you should be able to walk and resume most non-strenuous activities within a week or two after injuring your toe. The pain should diminish gradually if the bone is healing properly.

If you feel any pain in your broken toe, stop the activity that’s causing the pain and tell your doctor.

Outlook

The key to a good outcome is following through on your doctor’s advice. Learn how to tape your toe properly so you can change the tape regularly.

Carefully try to put more pressure on your broken toe each day to see how it’s recovering. Take any slight improvements in pain and discomfort as signs that your injury is healing.

Tips for recovery

Here are some things you can do to improve your recovery.

Footwear

You may temporarily need a bigger or wider shoe to accommodate your swollen foot. Consider getting a shoe with a hard sole and a lightweight top that will put less pressure on the injured toe, but still provide plenty of support.

Velcro fasteners that you can easily adjust can provide additional comfort.

Ice and elevation

Continue to ice and elevate your foot if your doctor recommends it. Wrap the ice in a cloth so that it doesn’t come into direct contact with your skin.

Take it slow

Ease back into your activities, but listen to your body. If you sense that you’re putting too much weight or stress on the toe, back off. It’s better to have a longer recovery and avoid any painful setbacks than to rush back into your activities too quickly.

New Mexico Orthopaedics is a multi-disciplinary orthopaedic clinic located in Albuquerque New Mexico. We have multiple physical therapy clinics located throughout the Albuquerque metro area.

New Mexico Orthopaedics offers a full spectrum of services related to orthopaedic care and our expertise ranges from acute conditions such as sports injuries and fractures to prolonged, chronic care diagnoses, including total joint replacement and spinal disorders.

Because our team of highly-trained physicians specialize in various aspects of the musculoskeletal system, our practice has the capacity to treat any orthopaedic condition, and offer related support services, such as physical therapy, WorkLink and much more.

If you need orthopedic care in Albuquerque New Mexico contact New Mexico Orthopaedics at 505-724-4300.

Evaluation and Management of Toe Fractures

ROBERT L. HATCH, M.D., M.P.H., and SCOTT HACKING, M.D., University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida

Am Fam Physician. 2003 Dec 15;68(12):2413-2418.

Fractures of the toe are one of the most common lower extremity fractures diagnosed by family physicians. Toe fractures most frequently are caused by a crushing injury or axial force such as stubbing a toe. Joint hyperextension and stress fractures are less common. Most patients have point tenderness at the fracture site or pain with gentle axial loading of the digit. Anteroposterior and oblique radiographs generally are most useful for identifying fractures, determining displacement, and evaluating adjacent phalanges and digits. Referral is indicated in patients with circulatory compromise, open fractures, significant soft tissue injury, fracture-dislocations, displaced intra-articular fractures, or fractures of the first toe that are unstable or involve more than 25 percent of the joint surface. Most children with fractures of the physis should be referred, but children with selected nondisplaced Salter-Harris types I and II fractures may be treated by family physicians. Stable, nondisplaced toe fractures should be treated with buddy taping and a rigid-sole shoe to limit joint movement. Displaced fractures of the lesser toes should be treated with reduction and buddy taping. Patients with displaced fractures of the first toe often require referral for stabilization of the reduction.

Toe fractures are one of the most common fractures diagnosed by primary care physicians. In one rural family practice,1 toe fractures comprised 8 percent of 295 fractures diagnosed; in an Air Force family practice residency program,2 they made up 9 percent of 624 fractures treated. Published studies suggest that family physicians can manage most toe fractures with good results.1,2

Anatomy

The first toe has only two phalanges; the second through the fifth toes generally have three, but the fifth toe sometimes can have only two (Figure 1). Flexor and extensor tendons insert at the proximal portions of the middle and distal phalanges. These tendons may avulse small fragments of bone from the phalanges; they also can be injured when a toe is fractured. Abductor, interosseus, and adductor muscles insert at the proximal aspects of each proximal phalanx. The pull of these muscles occasionally exacerbates fracture displacement. Sesamoid bones generally are present within flexor tendons in the first toe (Figure 1, top) and are found less commonly in the flexor tendons of other toes. In children, a physis (i.e., cartilaginous growth center) is present in the proximal part of each phalanx (Figure 2).

Differential Diagnosis

The same mechanisms that produce toe fractures may cause a ligament sprain, contusion, dislocation, tendon injury, or other soft tissue injury. Radiographs often are required to distinguish these injuries from toe fractures. Stress fractures can occur in toes. They typically involve the medial base of the proximal phalanx and usually occur in athletes. Stress fractures have a more insidious onset and may not be visible on radiographs for the first two to four weeks after the injury.

History and Physical Findings

Most toe fractures are caused by an axial force (e.g., a stubbed toe) or a crushing injury (e.g., from a falling object). Joint hyperextension, a less common mechanism, may cause spiral or avulsion fractures. Common presenting symptoms include bruising, swelling, and throbbing pain that worsens with a dependent position, although this type of pain also may occur with an isolated subungual hematoma. Although tendon injuries may accompany a toe fracture, they are uncommon.

Physical examination should include assessment of capillary refill; delayed capillary refill may indicate circulatory compromise. The skin should be inspected for open wounds or significant injury that may lead to skin necrosis. The nail should be inspected for subungual hematomas and other nail injuries. Deformity of the digit should be noted; most displaced fractures and dislocations present with visible deformity. Nondisplaced fractures usually are less apparent; however, most patients with toe fractures have point tenderness over the fracture site. The localized tenderness of a contusion may mimic the point tenderness of a fracture. Application of a gentle axial loading force distal to the injury (i.e., compressing the distal phalanx toward the foot) may distinguish contusions from fractures. If this maneuver produces sharp pain in a more proximal phalanx, it suggests a fracture in that phalanx.

Radiographic Findings

Radiographic studies of a toe should include anteroposterior, lateral, and oblique views (Figure 1). A combination of anteroposterior and lateral views may be best to rule out displacement. However, overlying shadows often make the lateral view difficult to interpret (Figure 1, center). In many cases, anteroposterior and oblique views are the most easily interpreted (Figure 1, top and bottom).

View/Print Figure

FIGURE 1.

Radiographic series showing spiral fracture of the proximal phalanx of the fourth toe. Note that this patient has an anatomic variant—the fifth toe has only two phalanges. (Left) Antero-posterior view. Angulation, shortening, and slight rotation are visible. Two normal sesamoid bones can be seen beneath the first metatarsal head. (Center) Lateral view. Overlying shadows make it difficult to discern the fourth toe and detect the mildly displaced fracture. (Right) Oblique view. Unlike the lateral view, this view clearly shows the fracture. It also provides another perspective to assess the degree of displacement.

FIGURE 1.

Radiographic series showing spiral fracture of the proximal phalanx of the fourth toe. Note that this patient has an anatomic variant—the fifth toe has only two phalanges. (Left) Antero-posterior view. Angulation, shortening, and slight rotation are visible. Two normal sesamoid bones can be seen beneath the first metatarsal head. (Center) Lateral view. Overlying shadows make it difficult to discern the fourth toe and detect the mildly displaced fracture. (Right) Oblique view. Unlike the lateral view, this view clearly shows the fracture. It also provides another perspective to assess the degree of displacement.

Fractures of the lesser toes are four times as common as fractures of the first toe.3 Most toe fractures are nondisplaced or minimally displaced. Comminution is common, especially with fractures of the distal phalanx. Displaced spiral fractures generally display shortening or rotation, whereas displaced transverse fractures may display angulation. In children, toe fractures may involve the physis (Figure 2).

View/Print Figure

FIGURE 2.

Displaced Salter-Harris type II frac ture of the proximal phalanx of a child’s fifth toe Physis can be seen in the proximal aspect of the other phalanges.

FIGURE 2.

Displaced Salter-Harris type II frac ture of the proximal phalanx of a child’s fifth toe Physis can be seen in the proximal aspect of the other phalanges.

Fractures of multiple phalanges are common (Figure 3). Therefore, phalanges and digits adjacent to the fracture must be examined carefully; joint surfaces also must be examined for intra-articular fractures (Figure 3). Patients with intra-articular fractures are more likely to develop long-term complications.

View/Print Figure

FIGURE 3.

Nondisplaced transverse fracture of the proximal phalanx of the fourth toe, with a subtle intra-articular fracture of the proximal phalanx of the fifth toe. Without careful scrutiny of adjacent digits, the more problematic intra-articular fracture could be missed.

FIGURE 3.

Nondisplaced transverse fracture of the proximal phalanx of the fourth toe, with a subtle intra-articular fracture of the proximal phalanx of the fifth toe. Without careful scrutiny of adjacent digits, the more problematic intra-articular fracture could be missed.

Indications for Referral

Patients with circulatory compromise require emergency referral. Toe fractures of this type are rare unless there is an open injury or a high-force crushing or shearing injury. Patients with open toe fractures or fractures with overlying skin necrosis are at high risk for osteomyelitis. If there is a break in the skin near the fracture site, the wound should be examined carefully. If the wound communicates with the fracture site, the patient should be referred. In some practice sites, family physicians manage open toe fractures; a discussion about the management of this type of injury can be found elsewhere.3,4 Patients also may require referral because of delayed complications such as osteomyelitis from open fractures, persistent pain after healing, and malunion.

FRACTURES OF THE FIRST TOE

Because of the first toe’s role in weight bearing, balance, and pedal motion, fractures of this toe require referral much more often than other toe fractures. Deformity, decreased range of motion, and degenerative joint disease in this toe can impair a patient’s functional ability.

Referral is recommended for patients with first-toe fracture-dislocations, displaced intra-articular fractures, and unstable displaced fractures (i.e., fractures that spontaneously displace when traction is released following reduction). Referral also is recommended for children with first-toe fractures involving the physis.4 These injuries may require internal fixation.

Referral should be strongly considered for patients with nondisplaced intra-articular fractures involving more than 25 percent of the joint surface (Figure 4).4 These fractures may lose their position during follow-up. Even if the fragments remain nondisplaced, significant degenerative joint disease may develop.4

View/Print Figure

FIGURE 4.

Nondisplaced intra-articular fracture of the proximal phalanx of the first toe, with a less obvious, comminuted, nondisplaced fracture of the distal phalanx.

Reprinted with permission from Eiff MP, Hatch R, Calmbach WL. Fracture management for primary care. 2d ed. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2003:354.

FIGURE 4.

Nondisplaced intra-articular fracture of the proximal phalanx of the first toe, with a less obvious, comminuted, nondisplaced fracture of the distal phalanx.

Reprinted with permission from Eiff MP, Hatch R, Calmbach WL. Fracture management for primary care. 2d ed. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2003:354.

Referral also should be considered for patients with other displaced first-toe fractures, unless the physician is comfortable with their management.

FRACTURES OF THE LESSER TOES

Although referral rarely is required for patients with fractures of the lesser toes, referral is recommended for patients with open fractures, fracture-dislocations (Figure 5), displaced intra-articular fractures, and fractures that are difficult to reduce. Referral is recommended for children with fractures involving the physis, except nondisplaced Salter-Harris type I and type II fractures (Figure 6). 4

View/Print Figure

FIGURE 5.

Fracture-dislocation of the fifth toe. The proximal phalanx is fractured, and the proximal interphalangeal joint is dislocated.

FIGURE 5.

Fracture-dislocation of the fifth toe. The proximal phalanx is fractured, and the proximal interphalangeal joint is dislocated.

FIGURE 6.

Salter-Harris classification of physeal injuries.

Patients with unstable fractures and nondisplaced, intra-articular fractures of the lesser toes that involve more than 25 percent of the joint surface (Figure 3) usually do not require referral and can be managed using the methods described in this article.

Treatment

STABLE, NONDISPLACED FRACTURES

Patients with closed, stable, nondisplaced fractures can be treated with splinting and a rigid-sole shoe to prevent joint movement. To enhance comfort, some patients prefer to cut out the part of the shoe that overlies the fractured toe. A walking cast with a toe platform may be necessary in active children and in patients with potentially unstable fractures of the first toe.

The preferred splinting technique is to buddy tape the affected toe to an adjacent toe (Figure 7).4 Treatment should continue until point tenderness is resolved, usually at least three weeks (four weeks for fractures of the first toe). Taping may be necessary for up to six weeks if healing is slow or pain persists.

View/Print Figure

FIGURE 7.

Buddy taping of the second and third toes. Gauze padding is inserted between the toes to prevent maceration, and nail beds are exposed to avoid concealing rotational deformity.

FIGURE 7.

Buddy taping of the second and third toes. Gauze padding is inserted between the toes to prevent maceration, and nail beds are exposed to avoid concealing rotational deformity.

To control pain and swelling, patients should apply ice and elevate the affected foot for the first few days after the injury. Patients should limit icing to 20 minutes per hour so that soft tissues will not be injured. Non-narcotic analgesics usually provide adequate pain relief. Narcotic analgesics may be necessary in patients with first-toe fractures, multiple fractures, or fractures requiring reduction.

If an acute subungual hematoma is present (less than 24 hours old), decompression may relieve pain substantially. Despite theoretic risks of converting the injury to an open fracture, decompression is recommended by most experts.5 Toenails should not be removed because they act as an external splint in patients with fractures of the distal phalanx.

After the splint is discontinued, the patient should begin gentle range-of-motion (ROM) exercises with the goal of achieving the same ROM as the same toe on the opposite foot. Follow-up radiographs may be taken three to six weeks after the injury, but they generally do not influence treatment and probably are not necessary in nondisplaced toe fractures.

DISPLACED FRACTURES OF LESSER TOES

Most displaced fractures of the lesser toes can be managed by family physicians if there are no indications for referral. Although adverse outcomes can occur with toe fractures,3 disability from displaced phalanx fractures is rare.5

After anesthetizing the toe with ice or a digital block, the physician holds the tip of the toe, applies longitudinal traction, and manipulates the bone fragments into proper position. In most cases, this is done by simply adjusting the direction of traction to correct any shortening, rotation, or malalignment. To unlock fragments, it may be necessary to exaggerate the deformity slightly as traction is applied or to manipulate the fragments with one hand while the other maintains traction. Following reduction, the nail bed of the fractured toe should lie in the same plane as the nail bed of the corresponding toe on the opposite foot. If it does not, rotational deformity should be suspected. Unless it is fairly subtle, rotational deformity should be corrected by further manipulation.

The reduced fracture is splinted with buddy taping. Fracture position ideally will be maintained when traction is released, but in some cases the reduction can be held only with buddy taping. Referral is indicated if buddy taping cannot maintain adequate reduction.

DISPLACED FRACTURES OF THE FIRST TOE

Displaced fractures of the first toe generally are managed similarly to displaced fractures of the lesser toes. To minimize the possibility of future disability, the position of the bone fragments after reduction should be as close to anatomic as possible. If the reduction is unstable (i.e., the position is not maintained after traction is released), splinting should not be used to hold the reduction, and referral is indicated.

To check proper alignment, radiographs should be taken immediately after reduction and again seven to 10 days after the injury (three to five days in children).4 In patients with potentially unstable or intra-articular fractures of the first toe, follow-up radiographs should be taken weekly for two or three weeks to monitor fracture position. At the conclusion of treatment, radiographs should be repeated to document healing.

Complications

A common complication of toe fractures is persistent pain and a decreased tolerance for activity. Pain that persists longer than a few months may indicate malunion, which may limit a patient’s future activities significantly. Toe fractures, especially intra-articular fractures, can result in degenerative joint disease, and osteomyelitis is a potential complication of open fractures.

Toe Fracture (Broken Toe) | Atlanta, GA

Toe fractures are a very painful but common injury most often caused by an injury from accidental stubbing of toe or dropping a heavy object on the forefoot. They typically occur on the corner of an object such as a bedpost. The injury can cause displacement (or shifting) of the bone into poor alignment or may be non- displaced.

Symptoms of a Toe Fracture

This picture demonstrates a fracture of the right fifth toe. The injured toe is out of place and there is apparent bruising and discoloration of the toe. This is Dr. Carreira’s actual foot in 2006!

Symptoms of a toe fracture include: swelling of the toe and foot, bruising and discoloration, and pain with walking and weight bearing.

Diagnosis of a Toe Fracture or Broken Toe

Toe fractures can usually be diagnosed by a doctor on a plain x-ray. However, stress fractures may not be visible at first on x-ray. After the stress fracture heals a callus is formed which is visible on x-ray.

If the doctor suspects a stress fracture, but cannot see it on plain x-ray than a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be ordered.

Treatment of Toe Fractures

Most toe fractures can be treated non-surgically with supportive care consisting of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), resting the injured toe by limiting weight bearing activity, icing the injured toe, and elevation of the injured foot (RICE). “Buddy taping” the fractured toe to an adjacent toe can stabilize the fracture and provide some pain relief. If the toe is out of place like in the picture above, the doctor may need to “reduce” the fracture and straighten the toe. Wearing a wide-toe shoe with a rigid sole that is soft on the top is recommended.

A toe cap may be useful for some patients to protect the injured toe. The toe cap is especially useful for patients who participate in at risk activities, including taking care of active dogs, working with young children, and heavy labor.

Surgical treatment is necessary in very rare circumstances. Dr. Carreira can discuss any further questions or concerns with you at your visit.

When Should I See A Doctor For My Toe Injury?

Some foot injuries can be serious and may require a visit to the doctor, for example a broken toe. If you have injured your toe and have experienced swelling that has not decreased within five days, noticed a change in the color of your toe, or continued to feel pain days after the initial injury, it may be time to seek professional care. Other worrisome symptoms of a more severe toe injury can include numbness, tingling, or a burning sensation, which could indicate nerve damage, deformation of the toe, or pain so severe that you are unable to walk normally. If you find yourself experiencing any of these symptoms, seek help from a podiatrist, who specializes in foot care and will assess and treat your injury.

A broken toe can be very painful and lead to complications if not properly fixed. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Milos Tomich, DPM from Dr. Tomich Foot & Ankle Health Center. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What to Know About a Broken Toe

Although most people try to avoid foot trauma such as banging, stubbing, or dropping heavy objects on their feet, the unfortunate fact is that it is a common occurrence. Given the fact that toes are positioned in front of the feet, they typically sustain the brunt of such trauma. When trauma occurs to a toe, the result can be a painful break (fracture).

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Throbbing pain
• Swelling
• Bruising on the skin and toenail
• The inability to move the toe
• Toe appears crooked or disfigured
• Tingling or numbness in the toe

Generally, it is best to stay off of the injured toe with the affected foot elevated.

Severe toe fractures may be treated with a splint, cast, and in some cases, minor surgery. Due to its position and the pressure it endures with daily activity, future complications can occur if the big toe is not properly treated.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Milwaukee and Wauwatosa, WI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about What to Know About a Broken Toe

Here’s What Happens When you Don’t Treat a Broken Toe

You may have heard one of the many myths surrounding broken toes: that it will heal on its own, or that it’s okay as long as you can still walk on it. While reassuring, these common misconceptions are entirely false, and can have potentially severe consequences. Leaving a broken toe untreated can result in various complications, from misaligned bones and infection to arthritis and permanent foot pain. The thought of a doctor visit or hospital bill may make you cringe at first, but your feet will thank you for it in the long run.

Here is a look at the signs that your toe is broken, the dangers of avoiding treatment, and the steps you need to take to make sure your toe heals properly.

Signs Your Toe Is Broken

Even the smallest of accidents can result in toe trauma: dropping an object on the foot or stubbing your toe are common misfortunes that often lead to injury. Moreover, repetitive trauma to the toe over time can result in a stress fracture. While it’s tempting to try to tough it out, it’s important to listen to your pain to identify whether or not your toe is fractured.

It usually requires significant force to break a bone, although a little less so for the toes since their bones are so small. Regardless, the instance of fracture will be extremely painful. The toe will begin to swell as the fractured bone bleeds, resulting in bruising as the blood reaches the skin. You may also see blood pool beneath the toenail. In many cases an injury to the toe also involves damage to the toenail, which further increases your risk of infection should the toenail expose the tissue underneath. The fracture usually makes it extremely painful to walk, although this is not always the case. Even if you can still manage to walk on the toe, that doesn’t eliminate the possibility of a fracture.

Seek prompt medical attention if your toe shows signs of:

• Swelling
• Pain
• Bruising, or blue or gray spots surrounding the site of trauma
• Stiffness
• Trouble Walking
• Deformity
• Infection
• Bleeding, especially beneath the toenail
• Coldness, numbness, or a tingling sensation indicative of nerve damage

Complications of an Untreated Broken Toe

Leaving a broken toe untreated can have serious and long term complications, including, but not limited to:

• Infection: If the injury has left an open wound, or especially if there is damage to the toenail, you are at risk of contracting an infection. Any exposure of a broken bone can lead to a bone infection (osteomyelitis), which is usually caused by the bacteria staphylococcus aureus. Once diagnosed, your doctor may implement antibiotics straight into the bloodstream intravenously, or you may need to take medication for up to six weeks. If the infection is severe, your doctor may have to perform surgery to remove the infected bone.
• Compound fracture: A compound fracture is when a broken bone penetrates the skin, leaving the bone vulnerable to infection.
• Deformity: An untreated broken toe has a high likelihood of healing incompletely or improperly, potentially resulting in crookedness or deformity which may require corrective surgery down the road.
• Osteoarthritis: An improperly healed fracture can lead to a future of osteoarthritis as you age, generalized foot pain and discomfort, as well as an increased likelihood of further foot injury.

Toe Fracture Diagnosis and Treatment

Your podiatrist will order an X-ray to confirm a toe fracture. Once properly diagnosed, a mild toe fracture can be treated at home under the guidance of your trusted podiatrist. Home treatment essentials include elevating the foot above the level of the heart in order to decrease swelling, icing the injury for 20 minutes every 2 hours for the first 2 days, and of course rest and crutches to avoid bearing weight on the injury while you recover. OTC acetaminophen or ibuprofen should be sufficient for coping with the pain, although your doctor may prescribe a stronger medication if your fracture is severe.

If the fracture is minor or located in one of the small toes, your doctor may simply implement buddy taping, which involves taping the damaged toe to its neighbor for support while it heals. In cases where the toe fracture becomes rotated or displaced, the doctor will need to perform a reduction. This involves administering a shot of local anesthesia before realigning the toe back into its proper position.

Casting may be required in more severe fractures: where the big toe is injured, the joint is damaged, the injury involves various small toe fractures at once, or if a bone in the foot is injured in addition to the fractured toe. When wearing a cast, a sturdy shoe should be worn to provide maximum comfort and support. If all goes well, the fracture should take up to six weeks to heal.

Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Vikki and Dr. Connie

If you have suffered injury to your feet, toes, or ankles, don’t wait for complications to arise.Schedule a consultation with trusted podiatrists Dr. Vikki and Dr. Connie at the Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center today.

Toe Fractures | Indiana Podiatry Group

Toe fractures are common injuries. The toes are particularly susceptible to fracturing as they are positioned on the end of a moving foot, where any stubbing force or heavy dropped weight can cause injury to their small bones. The toes have differing numbers of bones. The big toe has two bones, while the smaller toes each have three bones. The bones are collectively known as phalanges, and are vaguely dumbbell-shaped, although the end bone is more squashed into an arrowhead-like shape. Injuries generally occur to these bones due to a crushing force from above the toe, or a smashing force from the tip of the toe. Many of these injuries simply result in a bruising or strain of the toe tissue. At times, however, the injury is strong enough to break the bone.

Fractures of the toe bones can take numerous shapes. The fracture can run straight across, at an angle, or can even break into several pieces if the force is strong enough to crush the bone. The toe fracture may even only partially go across the width of the bone, resulting in a green-stick fracture. Small chips may be present if only the end of the bone is involved, and if the fracture crosses the end of the bone into the joint space with the next bone, the motion of that joint will be adversely effected. Externally, the toe will usually become swollen, red, and/or bruised. It will be painful to the touch, or with shoe pressure. At times, however, these symptoms may be minimal and the toe may not ‘feel’ fractured.

Toe fractures generally stay in place, with the bone fragment moving only slightly out of alignment. For this reason, many toe fractures easily heal on their own, helped along by splinting (with tape) to the more stable toe next to it. Bones generally take six weeks to heal, and toe bones are no exception. As the bone is held into place by securing the toe into the the non-fractured toe next to it, it can slowly fuse itself back into a solid bone. If there is extra motion of the toe that lets the bone fragments shift and move, the healing can take longer, or the bone will heal in an abnormal position. The abnormal bone position can lead to new pressure points on the top or sides of the toe, which can lead to painful corns. Abnormally healed fractures that involve a joint can also lead to future early arthritis. These complications are why it is important to properly splint a broken toe bone. After five or six weeks, the toe should be fully healed, although any pain or swelling from the fracture may have already resolved before that point.

Some fractures, especially those of the big toe, can be more unstable and require more treatment than simply splinting the toe. These fractures have pieces that have split apart too far for the bone to heal naturally without help, or at least too far apart to heal in a proper position. These fractures may need to be manipulated back into place with traction from a physician’s fingers. This generally requires the toe to be numbed with an anesthetic, as it can be quite uncomfortable. The repaired fracture is then splinted until it is healed. If the fracture cannot be returned into a proper position with this maneuver, or if the fracture is severely unstable, surgery may be necessary to put the bone into a proper position. The position is then usually held with some form of hardware, like a wire or pin, that will keep the unstable bone in place until it is healed.

Regardless of severity, toe fractures should be evaluated by a physician to ensure that the needed treatment leads to a healthy toe that lacks deformity or joint disease.

90,000 risk factors, clinical presentation, treatment principles and possible complications

In this article, we will introduce you to the types, manifestations, methods of first aid, diagnosis and treatment of fractures of the toes. This information will be useful for you, and you will be able to suspect the presence of such an injury in time, correctly provide first aid to the victim and make an adequate decision on the need for treatment by a specialist.

Classification of fractures of the toe

Closed fractures are the most common.In this case, the integrity of the skin is preserved. Compression injury is often accompanied by displacement. An open comminuted fracture is difficult to repair. But much is determined by the location of the damage. In this regard, allocate:

• Fracture of the big toe of the leg – often accompanied by a fracture of the sesamoid bone. Intra-articular lesions most difficult to treat,
• fracture of the index finger – involves damage to one or more phalanges of the fingers,
• fracture of the middle finger – the nail phalanx suffers more often, and along the fracture line the fracture can be oblique, longitudinal or transverse,
• Fracture of the ring finger – a single injury is rare, very often injuries also affect the little finger. There are also simultaneous injuries to the 1,2 and 4,5 fingers,
• Fracture of the little toe – One of the most common injuries is a fracture of the proximal phalanx.

Damage without displacement heals faster, and medical reduction is not required. It is much harder in case of significant deformations. At the same time, there are several types of displacements:

• with divergence and overlapping,
• lateral and angular offset,
• with wedging of fragments.

In case of damage to the middle and distal phalanx, the treatment tactics will be the same, although the damage itself occurs in different ways. Only a punctured fracture of the toes can cause a fracture of the middle phalanx. It is quite difficult to damage it if dropped or hit.

Fractures of phalanges

Swelling occurs at the site of injury. A blow to the big toe causes similar disturbances as with a thumb injury, due to the presence of only two phalanges. Phalangeal fractures are divided into T-shaped, oblique and transverse. A direct impact on the fifth toe causes multiple injuries due to the small size of the phalanges. The affected little finger instantly swells and becomes cyanotic.

ICD trauma code 10

Code S92 covers all foot fractures. With an injury such as a broken little finger, a separate code is not assigned, but with a thumb injury, the code S92 is prescribed in the card. 4. In case of a complex fracture with multiple injuries of the foot, the disease is designated by the code S92.7. All fractures of any toe other than the thumb are covered by code S92.5.

Reasons

Injuries caused by bone pathologies occur only in 5% of cases from general fractures. As a result of this injury, the integrity of the group of bones is disrupted, and recovery is extremely difficult. So, if the phalanx of the little finger is damaged, cracks in the metatarsus are often observed. A minor blow to another object can cause such pathologies. It is enough to step on a person’s foot to provoke injury.

Symptoms

What are the first signs of a toe fracture? First of all, it is intense pain. It increases with tapping or palpation. Pain shock does not occur. Even in the event of a serious injury, the pain can be tolerated.

Hematoma in the area of ​​the fracture indicates a rupture of blood vessels. In some cases, the leg becomes literally purple. Puffiness after a fracture often occurs with severe bruising and damage to soft tissues.

If there are wounds, then we are talking about an open injury.Skin lesions often accompany symptoms of a fractured or cracked big toe. Other signs of a toe fracture are:

• redness and local hyperthermia,
• enlargement of the damaged finger in size,
• restriction of mobility or complete immobilization.

Symptoms of a fractured toe may include shortening of the injured toe and its abnormal mobility. In case of bone crushing, the fragments can be seen with the naked eye. Signs of a fractured little toe include a deformity of the foot and a possible deeper shift of the fifth toe. The characteristic symptoms of a fracture of the little toe include crepitus of bones or bone fragments.

First aid

In this case, the procedure will be as follows:

• Give the patient an anesthetic,
• treat the wound, if any,
• fix the damaged pin.

If the pain syndrome does not decrease, then non-narcotic analgesics are suggested.Immobilization should be done if displacement is suspected. You can fix your toe with a bandage and splint.

Usually the thumb is immobilized. It is wrapped with a pencil or other solid and suitable object. Fixation is not always justified.

Most often, the patient is simply laid down or seated, and the leg is placed on a dais.

If the main phalanx of 4 fingers is damaged, then you can fix the finger with the adjacent one. It is impossible to tie the phalanges tightly, a cotton pad is placed between them.

Cold will help relieve pain and swelling. A bag of crushed ice is applied for 5-10 minutes, and then a break is taken to avoid frostbite.

Cooling will help if there is a fracture of the little toe, but for this damage, first aid will be slightly different.

What to do if the little toe is broken

In case of injury to the little toe, the leg must be lifted up and placed on a pillow in a relaxed position. This will prevent swelling and swelling of the soft tissues.Little finger immobilization is not required, but the foot must be secured to bring the victim to the hospital. Shoes are not worn, otherwise the chipped bones may be displaced.

What else to do in case of a broken toe at home? After carrying out anesthetic and anti-inflammatory therapy, it remains only to call an ambulance. Without an accurate diagnosis, it is difficult to take further action. It is forbidden to adjust your finger yourself.

Diagnostics

If the second and further fingers are damaged, the patient may not be aware of the fracture. Often the symptoms are similar to a common bruise. How to identify a fractured toe without X-ray?

An experienced physician will be able to understand the nature of damage during palpation and tapping. However, it is not always possible to recognize complex wounds visually. You can find out the crack using CT. But this method looks redundant and unjustified when the damage is obvious.

Treatment

If the broken little fingers on the leg are displaced, then they are set. How to treat a fracture in the event of a closed injury? The method of one-step reduction is usually used.

Treatment of a toe fracture begins with anesthesia, after which the toe is gradually extended, returning it to its physiological position. After the adjustment, the functionality of all fingers is checked. If the swelling goes away and the fingers are functioning properly, install the retainer. This is usually a cast, but there may be a bandage.

The timing of immobilization of the phalanges of the toes is determined by the severity of the injury. For minor injuries, a thumb brace can reduce stress and protect the foot from external influences.

If the fracture cannot be cured with a one-stage closed reduction, skeletal traction is used. It is an invasive repair method that keeps the bone fragments in the correct position.

The damaged little finger (or other finger) is pierced and a nylon thread is inserted. If the little toe is broken, you can fix it with special pins. In adults, fusion takes several weeks, in children – less.

The puncture site is treated with antiseptics, and after removing the retainer, orthosis is installed on the finger.

It makes no sense to use folk remedies for fracture. The exception is phytopreparations with decongestant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. But they are used for short-term treatment. Products with gelatin content – jelly and jellied meat allow to speed up the process of accretion.

Operative treatment

Despite the surgical precision in open surgery, there are many difficulties that arise from the specifics of the therapy. The risk of infection and suppuration remains high, and it may be difficult to administer anesthesia.

How much to treat and wear plaster

How to quickly heal a damaged foot and shorten the duration of fracture treatment? Much is determined by the individual characteristics of the patient’s body and the specifics of the injuries themselves. After open reduction, the bones grow together for a long time. Whether a plaster cast is needed after the main treatment is determined by the traumatologist. But no reduction is complete without additional commit.

You will have to wear a plaster cast as long as a finger fracture heals. With cracks and minor fractures of the toes, immobilization lasts up to 3 weeks.

In case of displacement, you can walk no earlier than after 4 weeks, and sometimes after 6 weeks. How much a finger fracture heals in the case of an open wound depends on the complexity of the operation. Plaster is usually prescribed for a period of 5-6 weeks.

Disability recovery takes up to 2 months if complications have occurred.

In the event of an incorrect splice, a second operation will be required. It’s hard to say how long the recovery will take. Usually the period of incapacity for work is doubled.

Rehabilitation

The patient is recommended to start exercise therapy immediately after removing the plaster. One effective exercise is fingering small objects with your toes. Such gymnastics will be especially useful if nerves have been damaged due to injury. Overvoltage during training should not be.First, they train for 15-20 minutes, over time, the duration of the classes is increased to 40-60 minutes.

Physiotherapy

Exercises after a toe fracture involve squeezing and straightening all toes. The injured finger is not used for some time, but then it is also connected to gymnastics.

At the first stage, it is better to replace the exercises with self-massage. Light stroking and squeezing will improve blood flow and prevent atrophy. There should be no unpleasant sensations during gymnastics.

Duration of therapy – no more than 10 minutes, course duration – 10-15 procedures.

You can develop a foot on your own, but before doing massage and gymnastics, you should consult a doctor. If the fracture of the toe heals slowly, then hardware physiotherapy is prescribed. The following treatments have proven effective:

• UHF-therapy – reduces pain syndrome, improves tissue trophism, stimulates metabolism and capillary blood circulation.One of the most reliable methods of recovery after fractures,
• magnetotherapy – accelerates regeneration, prevents the development of diseases of the skeletal system, reduces edema,
• interference currents – activate trophic processes, relieve hematomas, normalize blood circulation.

Ozokerite applications have useful properties. They dilate blood vessels and eliminate pain after a long stay in one position. Salt baths have a similar effect.Baking soda baths will prevent complications and the development of callus. They eliminate local inflammatory reactions and reduce post-traumatic edema.

Complications and consequences

Negative consequences arise from the lack of treatment. Many patients simply do not go to the doctor, because the injury does not bother them much. But this is at first. Over time, the deformities become irreversible, and the foot does not function properly.

Complications can arise from errors in therapy. If a fracture of the phalanx of one of the toes does not heal properly, a callus may form. This is an abnormal tissue at the fusion site. Its dimensions sometimes exceed the size of the phalanx.

The growth of replacement tissue is due to the weakness of the bone structure. Callus compensates for the lack of strength, but it causes great inconvenience to the patient. It causes pain, interferes with walking, complicates the selection of shoes.

In addition, it is always an additional source of inflammation and a vulnerable spot in the event of injury.

If the callus is formed due to improper reduction, then a second operation is required. In this case, healing will take longer than usual. In the presence of a bone defect, repeated surgery is associated with the risk of tissue inflammation.

Other complications of toe fractures are also distinguished:

• False joint – occurs due to shrapnel damage. The scattered fragments are erased and become separate elements of the bone. They are not connected to each other, and the space between them is the same false joint.Due to the absence of cartilage tissue, an inflammatory process occurs between the fragments. The functionality of the toe and foot is generally reduced. If the upper phalanx is damaged, then nail ingrowth is possible,
• ankylosis – occurs due to inflammation in damaged tissues. Over time, the joints become ossified and lose their mobility. This is one of the reasons why toes go numb. Sometimes they are completely immobilized, which leads to tissue death. Prosthetics are used to get rid of this defect,
• Osteomyelitis is one of the most dangerous complications.It occurs as a result of improper treatment of an open fracture. Pathogenic microorganisms enter the bone and cause inflammation. The infection enters the body through an open wound. Less commonly – by hematogenous route. Correct initial treatment of damage will prevent the development of osteomyelitis. If it is not possible to avoid infection, powerful antibiotic therapy is used. In advanced cases – depressurization of the bone,
• shortening of the bone – is the result of improper fusion. Incorrect reduction followed by immobilization firmly fix the fragments in the wrong position.The support function of the bone decreases, and pain occurs during movement. The risk of re-fracture increases dramatically. The next reduction will help to correct the situation, but the fragility of the damaged bone is still preserved.

Prevention

In case of weakening of the skeletal system, calcium supplements are prescribed. They are recommended for prophylaxis for all elderly people, women during and after menopause, as well as pregnant and lactating women.

From a medical point of view, the best prevention is increased caution on the street and at home.Avoiding a fracture of the main phalanx is easy if you look under your feet and prevent injury.

Products enriched with calcium, magnesium, vitamin D will help to strengthen bones. This group includes fermented milk products, egg yolks, nuts, chicken liver, seafood, olive oil. They also prevent diseases such as arthritis and arthrosis. At the same time, you should limit the consumption of oxalic and uric acids.

Source: https: //xn--h2aeegmc7b.xn--p1ai/pervaya-pomoshh/perelomyi/perelom-paltsa-na-noge

3 symptoms (signs) of a broken toe – how to understand that it is broken

Fracture of a toe is one of the many and especially common types of injuries sustained by a person in everyday life.

To obtain such a serious mechanical damage to the bone tissue, it is enough to apply insignificant efforts. A bruise, an unsuccessful jump, a fall on the leg of even a small object, as well as many other reasons can lead to a fracture.

It should be emphasized that for persons suffering from various forms of diseases leading to pathological fragility of bones, it is rather unfortunate enough to distribute the weight of their own body on the toes.

An important point is the provision of timely assistance to the victim.

Failure to do so can lead to serious consequences, including loss of flexibility and mobility of the fingers, constant pain, and in severe cases, tissue necrosis.

Classification

The term “fracture” refers to the violation of the integrity of the bone tissue, namely the phalanges of the toes, due to the application of an action, the force of which is many times greater than the resistance of the damaged segment. In direct proportion to the nature and type of the injury received, there are several options for classifying fractures of the toes.

Mainly, injuries to the toes are divided into closed and open. In the latter case, a kind of application to the resulting injury is a violation of the integrity of the skin, which arose as a result of the displacement of bone fragments.

In case of fractures with displacement of individual fragments of bone fragments, this type of injury is subdivided into splinter-free, one or two-splinter, and also multi-splinter. As the name suggests, the determining factor is the presence and total number of chipped segments of the damaged phalanx of the toes.

In addition, bone fractures are classified accordingly with an injured phalanx. In this case, damage to the big toe is isolated as a separate subspecies, which is due to some difference in its anatomical structure, which consists in the presence of only two phalanges.

Reasons

As mentioned above, numerous factors can cause a leg fracture, including unsuccessful falls, bruises, improper distribution of the load on the toes, as well as other factors of a similar nature.However, regardless of the reason that provoked the injury, it is recommended that everyone know what to do in case of a broken toe and how to provide the victim with first aid.

Symptoms

Symptoms and signs of a toe fracture may vary somewhat in direct proportion to the nature of the injury. At the same time, the first manifestations of the fracture are especially acute, some time after receiving mechanical damage, the clinical picture becomes somewhat blurred. The general symptomatology is as follows:

• The predominant signs of a violation of the integrity of the bone tissue of the toes are pain and sensations of pulsation in the area of ​​the injured area. At the same time, depending on the nature of the injury, painful sensations can spread to the entire leg or be localized in the immediate vicinity of the damaged phalanx.
• The appearance of tissue edema or bruising, which are the result of damage not only to bone segments, but also to the skin or blood vessels.
• In displaced fractures, the deformity of the injured toe can also be seen with the naked eye. In this case, with open forms of mechanical damage, open wound surfaces may appear.

Unlike other types of injuries, such as bruises, symptoms of a broken toe do not fade even after several hours. Moreover, painful sensations can persist for a long period of time, even if the patient is provided with medical assistance.

First aid

In order to provide first aid to the victim, you need to know how to determine if a toe is broken. First of all, long-term pain that does not go away speaks of receiving this injury. In addition, the spread of pain to the entire foot may indicate a fracture. If there is a suspicion of a fracture, you must:

• First aid for a fractured toe is to numb the affected area. This can be done with drugs for local or internal use.
• Next, you should immobilize or, simply put, fix the damaged segment using any homemade splint and sterile bandage. In the presence of open wound surfaces, the wound should be disinfected.

And, of course, an urgent measure of help is contacting a medical institution.

Diagnostics

When an injury is received, the question of how to determine a fracture of a toe becomes relevant.The determining factor in this case is long-term pain syndrome. However, trying to diagnose at home is still not worth it. To determine a fracture, you should definitely consult a doctor.

Among the many diagnostic methods, radiography is especially often used to detect the presence of damage. In severe cases, for example, against the background of numerous fragments, it is possible to use computed tomography. This examination provides more detailed images of the injured toe.

Treatment

The process of treating broken toes is similar to that used for injuries to the arms, legs or any other elements of the bone skeleton. To determine the most suitable option for conservative therapy, it is necessary to carry out diagnostic procedures, the main purpose of which is to determine the type, severity of the injury received.

Emergency

If your little finger or any other finger is broken, you should not ask yourself questions about what to do, it is important to seek help from a medical facility as soon as possible. Before the arrival of an ambulance, you can give the patient any pain medication.

Emergency medical care primarily consists of the use of anesthetic drugs that will help relieve intense pain. Further, after carrying out diagnostic measures, it is necessary to immobilize the injured finger, the essence of which is to apply a plaster cast, fixing the broken finger in the anatomically correct position.

A few days after the application of the splint, the patient needs to visit a specialist again for a second study, which will reveal the dynamics of bone tissue healing, the presence or absence of complications, and assess the process of bone fusion as a whole.If the bone is properly healed, the immobilizing dressings are removed four to eight weeks after injury.

Fracture of thumb and middle toe

Fractures of the big or middle toe occupy a separate place in the general list of injuries. This is due to intense painful sensations, the appearance of which is characterized by such damage.

The treatment tactics used in this case does not differ significantly from the methods used for other types of fractures. The only thing that should be paid attention to is the timely provision of assistance to the patient, which consists in the introduction of anesthetic drugs.

The absence of such against the background of a low pain threshold can lead to the development of a shock state in the patient.

Multiple fracture

On the background of multiple fractures of the toes, it is possible to apply a general fixation bandage on the entire surface of the injured leg. This measure allows you to exclude possible displacement of bone fragments and prevent possible complications. This is the most common approach for fractures of the little finger and ring fingers.

A separate point is in this case the nature of the injuries received. In the event that the extreme phalanges of the toes were damaged, it is sufficient to fix them with an elastic patch, which reliably holds the fingers in the anatomically correct position even when the thumb moves.

Compound fracture with displacement

For complex fractures associated with displacement of bone segments or the formation of several fragments, an invasive method of treatment is used. There are two options for surgical intervention, each of which is used only according to the doctor’s prescription:

• Metal plate. The essence of this procedure is as follows: during surgical manipulations, individual bone segments of the injured toe are tightly attached to a thin metal plate, which is a kind of frame. A foreign object is removed only after complete healing of bone tissue and the formation of a callus.
• Metal spoke. This method is classified as sparing, since the removal of the wire is not painful and does not require the use of general anesthesia. This procedure involves drilling individual fragments of the damaged leg bone, followed by stringing them onto a thin metal knitting needle. After the damaged tissue is restored, the fixing object is simply pulled out and removed.

Open fracture

Due to the absence of large blood vessels, even open forms of finger fractures are not potentially hazardous to the health and life of the victim. However, due to the formation of an open wound surface, treatment is still required.

Initially, the wound is treated with a disinfectant antibacterial preparation. Further, bone fragments of the damaged phalanx of the finger are fixed in the anatomically correct position. Metal needles or plates can be used for this procedure.

After this procedure, sutures or a sterile bandage are applied to fix the damaged skin.The length of the recovery period can vary significantly depending on the severity of the injury.

Recovery period

After removing any fixing bandage, including plaster, the patient needs a certain time to restore the functional features of the injured leg.

The need for rehabilitation is due to the fact that when the injured limb is in the immobilizing bandage, the muscle tissue loses its elasticity and becomes less mobile.

For the development of muscles and strengthening of bone tissues, patients are recommended such methods of treatment as physiotherapy exercises, massage, methods of physiotherapy, adherence to a diet with a high content of vitamins, microelements, moderate physical activity.

Application of these techniques on a regular basis will allow to normalize, stabilize the condition of the affected finger and limb, prevent possible complications, and quickly return to the previous full life.

Source: https://SkeletOpora.ru/travmy-kolenej/perelom-paltsa-na-noge

Signs of a toe fracture, treatment

Fractures of toes are common in the practice of traumatologists and no one is immune from their occurrence. You can get such an injury even with a banal blow of your leg against a corner, furniture, or when you twist your leg.

In 95% of cases, toes break due to traumatic causes – impact or compression.However, sometimes such injuries occur due to pathological factors – osteoporosis, osteomyelitis, neoplasms or bone tuberculosis. These diseases cause destruction of the bone, and even a minimal mechanical effect on it can cause its fracture.

According to statistics, fractures of the toes account for 5% of all fractures, and in case of leg injuries, every third patient of a traumatologist is diagnosed.

As a rule, they respond well to treatment and there is a misconception among the population that such fractures are simple and can heal on their own without the participation of a specialist.

However, the lack of qualified and timely treatment can lead to the development of many complications, which will subsequently cause more inconvenience than the injury itself.

Classification

Fractures of the toes can be open or closed. Most often, such injuries are not accompanied by damage to the skin.

In most cases, toe fractures are not accompanied by damage to the skin, that is, they are closed.

By the presence of displacement, open and closed fractures of the toes can be:

• with offset;
• no offset.

Fractures of the toes with displacement can be:

• angular offset;
• with wedging;
• with side shift;
• with longitudinal divergence;
• with longitudinal engagement.

Angular displacement of fragments of the phalanges often occurs in children and is rarely observed.This fact is explained by the fact that at this age the periosteum remains elastic and may not be damaged by mechanical stress. In such cases, the broken bone is not completely held on it, and the fragment is displaced in the direction opposite to the fracture line.

The wedging of fragments in fractures of the toes is detected in 1 / 4-1 / 3 cases, since during the injury the direction of the impact often coincides with the longitudinal axis of the toe. However, wedging of one fragment into another is rare. As a rule, there is a strong deformation of the cartilaginous tissue, accompanied by the appearance of several sub-articular cracks.

Lateral displacement of fragments with such fractures is extremely rare.

Fractures with longitudinal overlapping of fragments for each other are observed more often than injuries with a discrepancy, because in such cases, muscle contraction occurs and the surrounding tissues are pulled together, shifting the fragments. Longitudinal divergence in such injuries occurs with significant damage to the ligaments and muscles in the fracture area.

By the number of fragments, fractures of the toes are divided into:

• slip-free;
• one- or two-splinted;
• multi-chipped.

Splinter-free fractures usually occur in falls. One- and two-splintered – when struck with a blunt object, and multi-splintered – when hit by an object with an uneven surface (for example, a stone).

Depending on the fault line, the fracture may be:

• transverse;
• longitudinal;
• oblique;
• helical;
• T-shaped;
• S-shaped, etc.

Depending on the location of the fault line, injuries can occur in the following areas of the toe:

• main phalanx;
• nail phalanx;
• middle phalanx.

Sometimes two or more phalanges are damaged at the same time. A fracture of the big toe is isolated separately, since it consists not of three, but of two phalanges. Symptoms when it is damaged are more pronounced, since it carries the maximum load when walking.

Symptoms

Signs of toe fractures are divided into probable and reliable.

Possible symptoms of a broken toe include the following:

• Pain in the injured finger;
• redness and swelling of tissues in the area of ​​the fracture;
• increase in tissue temperature in the area of ​​injury;
• restriction or complete absence of movement of the injured finger;
• Increased pain when tapping on the end of the finger;
• Forced position of the injured finger.

Pain in such fractures can be different in intensity, but they are always tolerable and do not lead to loss of consciousness, as is the case with injuries of larger bones.

Particularly acute and strongly painful sensations are expressed precisely at the moment of bone fracture, since the periosteum is highly innervated. After a short time, the pain becomes dull and is caused by the development of bleeding, the appearance of edema and an inflammatory reaction.

In case of injury, substances such as serotonin, histamine and bradykinin are released into the bloodstream, which provoke the development of an inflammatory process in the area of ​​damage.As a result, swelling and redness appear in this place, and the temperature of the inflamed tissues rises. To reduce pain, the victim tries to find a position for the finger in which it will manifest itself to a lesser extent.

A symptom of increased pain when tapping on the top of the injured finger is a kind of test for determining a bruised or broken finger.

In case of violation of the integrity of one of the phalanges, pain appears at the site of its fracture, and with bruises of the finger, such sensations do not arise.It should be noted that such actions cannot be performed if there is a suspicion of displacement of fragments. In such cases, performing the test can provoke further misalignment and exacerbate the injury.

Significant symptoms of a toe fracture include the following:

• detection of phalanx bone defect during palpation;
• pathological mobility of the phalanx in an unusual place;
• crepitus of fragments during palpation;
• the injured toe becomes shorter than the same healthy toe on the other leg;
• a broken finger deformity appears.

Such reliable signs of a fracture in almost 100% of cases indicate the presence of a fracture, but manipulations associated with palpation are always accompanied by severe pain and should be performed only by a specialist and as carefully as possible. Usually they are not performed, and the diagnosis is confirmed by X-ray.

First aid

An open wound should be treated with an antiseptic solution and applied with a sterile bandage.

As with other injuries accompanied by a violation of the integrity of the bone, first-aid care for fractures of the toes is aimed at eliminating pain, disinfecting wounds (if any), reducing hemorrhages and immobilizing the injured limb.It consists in carrying out the following activities:

1. Eliminate the traumatic factor and seat the patient in a comfortable position, giving the leg an elevated position.
2. Give an analgesic drug to take: Analgin, Nimesil, Ibufen, Ketanol, etc. Or, if possible, perform an intramuscular injection of an analgesic.
3. In the presence of open wounds, treat them with an antiseptic solution and apply a bandage from a sterile bandage.
4. Immobilization should be performed only if fragments are suspected to be displaced. In other cases, it is enough to give the leg an elevated position. If you need to immobilize your thumb, handy tools such as two pencils or plates covered with two layers of cloth can be used. They are held to the right and left of the toe and are bandaged to the shin. When immobilizing other toes of the foot, there is no need to use a splint – the injured toe is bandaged to one or two healthy toes.
5. Apply cold to the area of ​​injury to reduce pain and bleeding.Every 10 minutes the ice pack should be removed for 2-3 minutes to prevent frostbite.
6. To transport a patient to a hospital, it is better to call an ambulance or carry out this event on your own, but as sparingly as possible for the injured leg.

Diagnostics

Radiography is the gold standard for diagnosing fractures of the toes. The images are taken in one or two projections and allow you to create an accurate picture of the injury: displacement, fracture location, etc.p.

Treatment

The tactics of treating a fracture of a toe is determined by the clinical picture of the injury. For bone healing, the following methods can be used:

• closed one-step reduction;
• skeletal traction;
• open reduction.

For open fractures, antibiotics are prescribed to prevent purulent complications and, if necessary, tetanus vaccination is performed.

Closed one-step reduction

This treatment is used to repair closed displaced fractures.

The area of ​​injury is anesthetized by injecting a local anesthetic into the surrounding soft tissue (after a preliminary test for an allergic reaction). As a rule, lidocaine or procaine is used for these purposes.

After the onset of the action of the drug, the injured finger is gradually extended. In parallel with this, the doctor performs the return of the fragments to the physiological position.

After matching the fragments, the mobility of all joints (metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal) is checked.If not all joints remain mobile, then a second reduction is performed. If the movements in all joints persist, then immobilization is carried out using a plaster cast or other devices.

Skeletal traction

This method of treating fractures of the toes is indicated when closed reduction is not possible. For this, manipulations are performed to provide retraction and support of the distal fragment. They make it possible to prevent the divergence of fragments.

Skeletal traction is performed after local anesthesia. A special pin or nylon thread is drawn through the skin or nail phalanx, the ends of which are tied to give it the appearance of a ring. Subsequently, a wire hook is fixed to the gypsum, which will hold the ring in the position necessary for skeletal traction.

After performing these manipulations, the patient should wear a plaster cast for at least 2-3 weeks. At the same time, finger punctures are treated daily with antiseptic solutions (Cutasept, Betadine, alcoholic solution of iodine or brilliant green).After 2-3 weeks, the thread or pin is removed, and the finger is immobilized again for the same period for complete bone healing.

Open reduction

Indications for performing a surgical operation – intraosseous osteosynthesis – may be the following cases:

• open fracture;
• multi-splinter fracture;
• complications arising from other methods of treatment.

Such interventions allow restoring the integrity of the bone with visual control and provide high reliability of fixation of fragments with metal devices.

Pins, screws, plates and wires are used for intraosseous fixation. The selection of this or that device is determined by the clinical picture of the fracture. After the completion of the operation, immobilization is performed using a splint or plaster cast for 4-8 weeks.

In more rare cases, osteosynthesis is performed using a system of metal rods fixed with circles or half-arcs – the Ilizarov apparatus. This is due to the cumbersomeness of such structures or the lack of apparatus of the required dimensions.

Possible complications

In the absence of treatment, non-compliance with the doctor’s recommendations or inadequate choice of the method of treatment, the following complications may develop:

• false joint;
• giant callus;
• Incorrect fusion of fragments;

90,011 ankylosis;

• osteomyelitis;
• gangrene.

Is plaster always applied

For immobilization in case of fractures of the toes, a plaster cast or other polymeric materials can be used that can provide reliable immobilization.For the patient, the most comfortable bandages are made of polymers, since

they are lighter and are not exposed to water (when wearing them there are no restrictions on hygiene measures). In addition, polymeric materials, unlike gypsum, always remain warm and do not “cool” the leg. Such hypothermia when wearing a plaster cast can lead to a violation of the strength of the callus.

The only drawback of polymers used for immobilization is their high cost.

An immobilizing bandage for fractures of toes is applied not only to the injured toe, but also covers the entire foot and the lower third of the lower leg. Only with this method of applying a “boot” bandage is it possible to achieve complete immobilization, which is necessary for a successful bone fusion.

In some cases, immobilization is not performed. These exceptions include:

• cracks in the phalanges – they are repaired on their own;
• first days after surgery on the leg with concomitant fracture of the fingers – a plaster cast is applied after the beginning of the healing of the postoperative wound;
• Use of the Ilizarov apparatus – fixation of fragments is provided by the device itself.

How long the plaster lasts

The duration of limb immobilization in case of toe fractures depends on many factors – the complexity of the injury, age, concomitant pathologies that impede bone fusion. Dates of wearing plaster can be as follows:

• for closed fractures without displacement – 2-3 weeks, working capacity is restored in 3-4 weeks;
• for fractures with displacement or the presence of multiple fragments – 3-4 weeks, working capacity is restored after 6-8 weeks;
• for open fractures or after osteosynthesis – 5-6 weeks, work capacity is restored after 9-10 weeks.

Rehabilitation

Physiotherapy exercises helps to restore the functions of the damaged finger.

The duration of rehabilitation after fractures of the toes depends on the same factors as the duration of immobilization. As a rule, the recovery period is about 3-4 weeks, but with multi-splinter injuries it is extended by 2 weeks. The development of complications leads to a significant slowdown in rehabilitation – it is almost doubled.

To restore the functions of the damaged finger, the following are assigned:

• physiotherapy exercises;
• massage courses;
• physiotherapy procedures (UHF, hot salt or ozokerite applications, mechanotherapy, salt and soda baths).

A fractured toe should always be a reason to see a doctor.

Incorrect treatment of such injuries can lead to the development of serious complications that will cause the victim a lot of suffering and worsen his quality of life.

To eliminate such fractures, various techniques can be used, the choice of which depends on the nature of the fracture. If all the doctor’s recommendations are followed and the correct choice of the method of treatment, such injuries respond well to therapy.

Which doctor to contact

If you suspect a toe fracture, you should consult an orthopedist. After examining the victim, the doctor will definitely prescribe an X-ray and, based on its results, draw up the most effective treatment plan.

Source: https://myfamilydoctor.ru/priznaki-pereloma-palca-na-noge-lechenie/

Fracture of the little toe: symptoms, first aid, treatment

The bones of the little finger are thin compared to other bones of the skeleton.Therefore, a fracture of the little toe is not uncommon. The probability of injuring the little toe is 5% of the sum of all fractures of the lower extremities. If we take into account the cases where the fracture has not been treated, the percentage will increase to 15%.

Reasons

A common cause of a broken toe is trauma to the toe. Since the bone of the little finger is small and fragile, a weak effect is enough to get a fracture.

The fall of a heavy object on the little finger or the impact of a finger on a hard corner is enough to get the little toe fractured.

Another common cause leading to a fracture of the phalanx of the little finger is a pathological factor. This happens when there is insufficient bone strength due to a disease, for example:

• tuberculosis;
• osteoporosis;
• the presence of tumors in the body;
• osteomyelitis, etc.

A fracture of the little toe is often suffered by players in team sports such as football, field hockey, rugby. Despite the fact that the bone of the little finger is small and fragile, the fusion process takes a long period of time and requires maximum effort and patience.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a fracture of the little finger on the leg are pronounced, which makes it possible for the traumatologist to make the correct diagnosis and begin treatment. When the little toe is broken, the person experiences the following symptoms:

1. Acute local pain (directly in the little finger), or pain that covers the entire foot.
2. The appearance of edema. Immediately after the fracture, the foot becomes larger in size. The inflammatory process starts and the permeability of the walls of blood vessels increases.The process of edema performs a protective function; in case of a comminuted fracture, the swollen tissues prevent the displacement of bone fragments, which helps to avoid surgical intervention.
3. Bruising (bruising). The phalanges of the finger are equipped with their own network of blood vessels and are well supplied with blood. When a bone fracture occurs, the walls of the blood vessels are damaged and some of the blood seeps into the soft tissue, which gives the injured toe a blue color.
4. When the little finger is fractured with an offset, a deformity of the finger is formed, which is noticeable even to an inexperienced person.
5. An open fracture is accompanied by damage to the skin and the formation of a wound through which fragments of bone tissue are visible.

First aid for fracture of the little toe

In case of an open fracture, the first step is to disinfect the wound. Otherwise, the sequence of actions for a closed and open fracture is the same.

1. If a toe injury occurred while the foot was in the shoe, free the foot from the shoe and toe.The leg should be in a position that excludes even a slight impact on the toe. This will protect the victim from severe pain.
2. It is imperative to take an analgesic that is at hand. The pain of the fracture builds up gradually, in order to prevent the feeling of unbearable pain, it is important to take the pain reliever right away. The drug takes time to take effect. The sooner the medicine enters the body, the faster the pain relief process will begin.
3. If a displaced toe fracture occurs, an immobilization process must be performed.This process involves fixing the injured toe by wrapping it around the adjacent, healthy toe. This procedure helps to exclude further displacement of the bone fragments. After the immobilization procedure, you can start transporting the patient to a medical facility. With a fracture without displacement, immobilization is not required.
4. Ice or cold object is applied to a broken finger. This will reduce pain and prevent the formation of swelling and inflammation.
5. When applying ice to an injured finger, avoid direct contact of the ice with the skin. You need to use a compress with ice wrapped in a towel or a special heating pad.

Diagnostics

It is possible to accurately determine the presence of a fracture of the little finger bone only with a doctor’s examination and examination of the fracture using an X-ray. An X-ray makes it possible to confirm or deny the diagnosis, to identify the type of fracture. There are several types of fracture:

1. Non-displaced bone fracture.This is a type of fracture in which two pieces of bone are aligned with each other.
2. Fracture of the little finger with displacement. With this type of fracture, parts of the bone are displaced, this type of fracture is rare, the recovery process is more difficult.
3. Comminuted fracture. A complex type of fracture, in which several fragments are formed at once. With this type of fracture, it is often necessary to resort to surgical intervention in order to collect the fragments of the bone together and fix it.

Treatment

There are two treatment options for the fracture:

• conservative method;
• surgical method.

Conservative treatment involves the application of a plaster cast over the injury site. In case of a fracture of the little finger with a displacement, a reduction procedure is performed first. The bone fragments are returned to the anatomically correct position and fixed with a plaster cast.

The process of reduction is carried out both without surgical intervention, and with its help. The doctor acts based on the type of fracture. Surgical reduction is used for comminuted fractures.

Fragments of bone are fixed using a plate, this method is called osteosynthesis.To avoid possible complications, the victim is prescribed pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Is it necessary to wear a plaster cast when the little toe is broken?

A fracture of the little toe does not always require a plaster cast, it is determined based on which part of the toe is injured. The decision to apply a plaster cast is made by the doctor.

• If the nail phalanx is broken, then the case can be done with a perforation procedure, the doctor will make an incision to rid the finger of blood accumulations.
• If the main or middle phalanx of the toe is broken, then the entire foot is fixed with a plaster cast, and it is removed only after the final fusion of the bone.
• It is also possible to install a pin or staples, depending on the complexity of the fracture.

The plaster cast can be replaced with a modern and comfortable analogue – scotch tape. It is a synthetic bandage impregnated with a special type of resin, which solidifies when wet. The doctor may suggest using a special brace for the little toe in case of a fracture.

How long does it take for the fracture of the little toe to heal?

The healing time of the bones of the little finger is individual and depends on the characteristics of the organism, the patient’s age, the nature of the fracture, etc. On average, it will take 1-2 months for the fracture to heal without displacement.

Rehabilitation

The main condition for quick recovery is the state of rest of the injured limb. The leg should not be stressed.

After the doctor concludes that the little finger bone has grown together, the plaster cast will be removed and the rehabilitation period will begin.

This period is for the development of the damaged toe in order to return it to its previous functionality and gradually prepare the finger for maximum stress.

The rehabilitation period consists of exercise therapy (physiotherapy exercises), a course of massage and physiotherapy procedures, enrichment of the diet with foods containing a lot of calcium, which helps to strengthen bone tissue.

Complications

Basically, a fracture of the little toe is not accompanied by pronounced clinical symptoms.Therefore, a late diagnosis of the injury occurs. If the pain is tolerable, some patients prefer to endure and do not seek advice from a traumatologist. In others, the fracture of the little finger goes completely unnoticed.

Inattentive treatment of the body and health can lead to serious consequences, which are extremely difficult to reverse.

Large callus

The formation of callus occurs when any fracture heals. This connective tissue is formed to connect the fragments of the bone, ensuring its continuity and restoration of previous functions.The size of the callus depends on the distance between the bone fragments.

The more accurately the parts of the bone are matched, the thinner the callus will be, and the healing process will be faster. If a person does not seek qualified help and bone fragments are not repositioned, this contributes to the excessive proliferation of connective tissue between all fragments.

The result is slow healing of the injury, regular pain and inflammation.

False joint formation

Ignoring a displaced fracture leads to such a complication. Due to the distant bone fragments, the fusion process does not start.

The process of closing the bone canals begins, rounding off the fragments and the formation of two phalanxes in place of one phalanx. However, such a joint is not considered complete due to the lack of cartilage tissue between the bones.

As a result, the constant rubbing of the bones against each other causes severe pain and provokes an inflammatory process.Such a finger cannot fully fulfill its function.

Ankylosis

Ankylosis is the closure of the joint space by the fusion of two phalanges. This phenomenon is common when the little toe is fractured. It is associated with the anatomical structure of the bone of this finger.

The phalanges of the little finger are short, and the fracture affects the bone below the joint surface (subchondral region). A violent inflammatory process begins, which contributes to the fusion of the joint space.

First, callus is formed, which eventually turns into bone tissue.

Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis is the most severe consequence of bone fracture, which is difficult to treat. This is a purulent-necrotic process that takes place in the bone marrow and bones, affecting the surrounding soft tissues.

This process is a consequence of an open fracture, when bacteria and harmful microorganisms from the external environment penetrate into the inner layer of the bone. Therefore, it is so important to treat an open fracture with a disinfectant.

Fracture of the little toe is a dangerous and intractable injury.If you do not pay enough attention, in the long term there is a possibility of losing the functionality of the finger. If you find the slightest signs of a fracture of the little toe, even in the absence of pronounced symptoms, you need to contact a competent doctor who will provide the necessary medical assistance.

Source: https://ChtoiKak.ru/perelom-mizinca-na-noge.html

90,000 How to identify fractures and dislocations | Signs and symptoms of fracture and dislocation

Different types of injuries require completely different treatment; a banal injury can hide serious tissue damage.And even the bruises themselves can have serious health consequences. It is very important not to delay the diagnosis and immediately contact a traumatologist.

What to do?

An x-ray will help determine the fracture. But if you get into a medical facility and make it impossible, you can focus on some symptomatic signs.

Signs of dislocation

• Severe joint pain,
• Impossibility of movement in it,
• Forced fixation in a certain position that causes the least pain,
• External deformation.

How to eliminate the dislocation?

Treating a dislocation with improvised means is a dangerous undertaking. The doctor should correct it, and the earlier, the better. An old dislocation is more difficult to treat. The only thing that can be done is to provide peace to the injured joint, apply cold and call an ambulance.

Signs of fracture

Fracture is a violation of the integrity of the bone tissue. The signs or symptoms of a fracture are:

• Pain,
• Unnatural limb mobility,
• Crunch when pressed,
• Presence of visible fragments of bone,
• Swelling in the area of ​​injury,
• Symptom of axial load.

If you observe abnormal mobility and can even slightly bend the limb in a place where this is not foreseen by anatomy, then you most likely have a fracture. In case of dislocation, movement is completely blocked.

First aid

Fractures are often accompanied by lacerations, so there is a serious risk of tissue infection. It is necessary to stop the blood and apply a pressure bandage or tourniquet. Next, ensure the immobility of the damaged part of the body and apply cold.For severe pain, pain relievers can be administered. And go to the doctor immediately! Fractures and dislocations should only be treated by an experienced specialist using specialized medical instruments.

90,000 Toe fracture: symptoms, signs, diagnosis and treatment

Description

Finger fracture may occur in
as a result of direct exposure, as well as due to injury,
which is indirect.A feature of a toe fracture is
the fact that his education will be easy enough to diagnose, while
light treatment is also carried out, thanks to which it recovers very soon
natural mobility of the injured toe.

But at the same time, it is necessary with special attention
approach the process of treating a fractured toe, because it is from the correct
the shape of each toe separately and will depend on the normal
functioning of the entire foot.

There is a great similarity between all fractures of the fingers
– as a result of the displacement of the formed fragments,
a corner appears, with its vertex at the bottom. The first
in turn, this is due to the unique feature of the attachment of tendons and muscles.

It should be borne in mind that the formation of a fracture
feet can arise not only as a result of mechanical
impact, but its appearance is possible due to wearing very tight shoes, and
also unsuccessful tucking of the foot and the presence of various other factors,
provoking the formation of a fracture.

However, experts today also distinguish
called pathological fractures, the formation of which can occur in
as a result of the presence of certain diseases that lead to significant
decrease in bone strength (for example, the number of such diseases can
treat osteomyelitis, hyperparateriosis, various cancers and
others).

Today, there are several
varieties of fractures of the toes, which include the following:

• no offset;
• offset;
• incomplete;
• complete;
• Localized Fracture In Which Damage Occurs
  nail phalanx, as well as the main, middle or combined fracture;
• Closed fractures that can be broken
  bone, but at the same time there will be no external damage;
• Open fractures in which fragments are formed
  bones can break through muscles, skin, and ligaments.Damaged bone
  will definitely be in contact with the environment. Among the open fractures
  will be exclusively traumatic.

Particularly noteworthy is the fracture of the large
toe. The main distinguishing feature of the thumb is
the number of phalanges, since in this case there are two of them. Regarding him
functional features, while walking, the main load falls on
directly onto the big toe.

Exceptionally fractured big toe, rather
often, it is intra-articular. In the case of the formation of this type
fracture, the victim begins to experience severe and sharp pain, while
its natural functionality is lost. If there is a fracture of a large
toe, then the spread of edema and cyanosis may not affect
only the rest of the fingers, but the entire surface of the foot.

Symptoms

In case of a formed toe fracture,
the patient appears characteristic and pronounced signs, due to which
it becomes much easier to diagnose this type of injury.

Today, all the main symptoms of a fracture
fingers are subdivided into relative ones, in the event of which a fracture can
to be considered inferred. The absolute signs also differ, with
the formation of which it becomes possible to determine as accurately as possible what
a toe fracture occurred.

Relative symptoms include the appearance of
rather severe pain in the area of ​​damage, the development of edema begins, under
bleeding occurs with damaged skin or nail.While driving
the victim is rather sore.

Absolute symptoms include the appearance of
the ability to mobility to a certain extent, which is pathologically
differs from the norm. When pressing on the damaged area,
characteristic crunch of fragments. The formation of the unnatural also occurs
position of the injured limb.

Intensity of manifested signs of finger fracture
feet directly depends on where exactly the localization took place
the fracture itself.For example, the most striking symptoms of a fracture are
if the main phalanx is damaged. There are times that not immediately
the presence of a fracture of the fingers from the second to the fifth becomes noticeable.

In almost all cases, subject to this
the type of fracture, the victim may not go to the clinic for help at all
or go to the doctor only after there is a significant increase
pain that interferes with a normal life.

Main feature of a big toe fracture
is that it is not only larger than the others, but also consists of two phalanges,
at the same time, a significantly greater load is exerted on him while walking. TO
the main symptoms of this type of fracture include the formation of a rather strong
and pronounced pain manifested in the area of ​​damage.

It is because of severe pain that the victim loses
the ability to move, while the resulting edema may spread
both on the adjacent toes and on the entire area of ​​the foot.There is a risk of education
cyanosis of the injured foot.

Diagnostics

In order to establish the diagnosis as accurately as possible
fracture of a toe, as well as to distinguish it from a dislocation, there is a need for
conducting an additional X-ray examination, which may
done in two or three projections (this is determined only by the attending physician). Also
it is thanks to the X-ray that it becomes possible to determine the nature
the displacement that occurred.

During the diagnosis, the doctor should take into account the fact that
fractures, bruises, and sprains have certain similarities. IN
in some cases, even thanks to an X-ray examination
it may not be possible to make an accurate diagnosis. Therefore, if
there is even the slightest suspicion of a toe fracture, it is important to pass
consultation with an experienced traumatologist.

Only after the final
diagnosis, taking into account all the features of injury and general condition
the victim, the method of treatment will be selected.In no case should
try to independently diagnose and carry out home treatment, since
as a result, this can only lead to a deterioration in the patient’s condition.

Prevention

At the heart of the prevention of a finger fracture
feet, lies in the avoidance of injuries that can lead to it. You also need
choose the right shoes, as wearing too tight shoes as a result
can lead to a fractured toe.

Treatment

Choice of finger fracture treatment method
it is the nature of the resulting fracture that will have a direct impact.
In the event that the patient was diagnosed with an open fracture, in order to
to completely restore the natural position of the bone fragments, and
surrounding tissues, it is important to immobilize or completely immobilize
damaged finger.

Also, without fail, the patient is introduced
special antirabetic serum or vaccine.If necessary
the doctor also prescribes antibiotic therapy.

If the localization of the injury was
directly on the area of ​​the nail phalanx, then before starting
directly treatment of the injured finger, anesthesia is carried out, so
how the victim is experiencing severe pain. After that, the doctor will remove
the formed blood clot, which is located under the nail plate.
Then the bone is immobilized and fixed.

In the event that a toe fracture occurred in
the area of ​​the middle or main phalanx, in almost all cases it is required
the imposition of a special plantar plaster splint, which is left
for about a month or a half.

If the violation of the integrity of the joint has occurred
inside the joint, then in this case an immediate
surgical treatment with special pins, and in more severe cases
there is a need to use the Ilizarov apparatus.

After the course has been fully completed
treatment of a toe fracture, without fail, must be done
an additional X-ray image, thanks to which it becomes visible,
how exactly the fusion of the injured finger occurred.

It is important to remember that a broken finger requires
will reduce the load applied. In the event that there is a suspicion of
fracture of a finger, as first aid it will be necessary to raise
the damaged limb, due to which the outflow of blood will be ensured, also in
the area of ​​damage, the resulting edema is significantly reduced.Moreover, to
the area of ​​damage will need to be applied for 15 minutes cold. Such measures
it is recommended to take it during the first few days after
getting injured.

In the event that an incorrect
treatment, there is a possibility that the bone fragments will not stand on their
the same place and deformation of the bone structure may develop. It may
lead to limitation of the motor function of the injured limb.

As a result of an intra-articular fracture or
if angular deformation develops, there is a possibility of formation
arthrosis, which leads to the appearance of chronic pain, as well as a violation
natural function of the foot.

Fracture of the little toe: how to determine what to do

Fractures of the bones of the foot and fingers in children – signs, causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention

Diagnostics

Traumatologist conduct an initial examination.The doctor examines the damaged area, prescribes an X-ray, which is performed in two or three different projections.

The examination takes into account the fact that bruises, fractures, sprains have similar manifestations.

Treatment

The technique is selected depending on the nature of the injury. When a patient is diagnosed with an open fracture, it is important to immobilize or completely immobilize the injured finger. At the same time, the patient is injected with anti-rabies serum without fail.If necessary, the doctor will prescribe a course of antibiotics.

If the injury is localized near the nail phalanx, the site is anesthetized before starting treatment. Then the specialist removes the bloody clot under the nail plate. After this, the bone is fixed.

In the case when a toe fracture occurred in the area of ​​the main or middle phalanx, in almost all cases the application of a plaster splint is provided.

In case of disorders inside the joint, surgical intervention with the use of special wires is indicated; in severe cases, the Ilizarov apparatus is used.

Fracture of the foot bones requires a splint for three to four weeks. If at the same time there is a displacement, the patient is shown reduction by the method of skeletal traction. After that, a bandage with a heel is applied to the site of the injury. Further treatment is carried out using orthopedic inlays.

At the final stage, an additional X-ray is taken. In the case of improper therapy, there is a possibility of deformation of the bone structure, which can lead to a limitation of the function of movement of the injured limbs.

Prevention

It is necessary to strengthen the immune system, eat foods rich in protein, vitamins, especially calcium, minerals, go in for sports.

Literature and sources

Video on the topic:

90,000 If a broken toe is symptomatic. How to identify a fractured toe.

This toe injury can be partial or complete. Depending on the etiology, it is classified into pathological and traumatic.

Pathological fractures are injuries due to the destructive effect of a disease.Such ailments include: osteoporosis, tuberculosis, osteomyelitis and others.
Such diseases reduce the calcium content in the bone tissue, so the bones become fragile.

But, basically, the toes break due to the force exerted on the limb.

Fracture classification

In addition to dividing such a fracture into traumatic and pathological, there is a classification according to the type and condition of the injury.

So, on the legs it is open – a fracture characterized by a violation of the integral structure of the skin, as well as by the fact that a fragment of a fractured bone is visible through the wound.differs in the preservation of the integral state of soft tissues.

Trauma can be with or without displacement. The injured bones are displaced due to the force exerted on the limb. In this case, there is a danger of injury to the nerve endings, blood vessels, muscles adjacent to the bone.

A finger fracture is also complete (the bone breaks into two or more parts) and incomplete (a crack appears in the bones). Among other things, the injury can still be splintered – it appears when the bone is shattered and the splinters are in the wound.

Depending on the location, the fracture is divided into an injury in the area of ​​the nail phalanx, the middle phalanx, the main phalanx. In addition, there is a combined fracture – two or more phalanges of the finger are injured.

Symptoms of a fractured toe

When a toe is fractured, the following symptoms appear: acute pain syndrome, in particular, during movement, swelling of the injured toe, malfunctioning, hemorrhage under the nail or skin.

There are also unconditional signs in the form of an unnatural position of the finger, pathological immobility, crepitus (the appearance of a crunch in case of pressure on the injured limb).

The intensity of symptoms depends on the location of the injury. for example, a fracture of the main phalanx causes pain much more severe than injury to the distal phalanx of the toe, since the main phalanx is connected to the bones of the foot.

Fracture of the second, third, fourth and fifth fingers may not be noticed at all.However, the growing pain makes you go to the emergency room.

A broken big toe has more pronounced symptoms. It depends on the larger size of the finger and on the fact that the thumb consists of two phalanges, not three. In addition, the thumb carries a lot of stress, unlike its “neighbors”.

Fracture is not always possible to establish by external phenomena (edema, cyanosis). In the emergency room, it is imperative to make an x-ray in several projections.

First aid

First aid can be provided by everyone who is nearby at the time of the injury, or you can help yourself.The primary goal of first aid is to create immobility in the foot.

Fixation of the leg is carried out using any solid object such as a splint, which is bandaged to the foot.

If there is an open wound, the first step is to bandage the wound to stop the bleeding and prevent infection from entering the wound.

When providing first aid, you should strictly follow the rules of sterility (clean hands and a sterile bandage).In the same sterile manner, it is necessary to work with the splint pad. Immobilization of the fingers will help eliminate pain syndrome and prevent injury to the skin by bone fragments.

Toe fracture treatment

The method of therapy is selected according to the nature of the damage. For example, in addition to immobilizing a limb, antibiotic therapy is needed due to the presence of an open wound. Antibiotic therapy includes the use of antibiotics, and tetanus shots may be given in certain situations.

In the case of a simple closed fracture, doctors apply a standard plaster cast.

In the treatment of a broken finger, pain relievers are provided to help relieve pain in a patient after an injury.

In case of damage to the nail phalanx, nail perforation is performed, blood is removed under the nail, the place of damage and the nearest phalanx of the fingers is fixed with a plaster.

Fractures of the middle and main phalanges without displacement are immobilized with a plaster for a period of 2 weeks.Displacement trauma is treated by stretching the broken finger along the axis or by reposition of bone fragments (returning the fragments to their place) and the final application of a plaster “shoe”. plaster “shoe” is also used for multiple fractures.

Closed or splintered damage is repaired by closed reduction. The closed type of reduction should be very punctual and accurate in order to prevent incorrect bone fusion and further deformation.

Injuries of the second, third, fourth and fifth phalanges of the fingers are fixed with a plaster splint (a long strip of plaster bandage, including several layers).

In case of injury to the big toe, a plaster cast is applied, which starts from the injured limb to the knee.

Corrected by surgery, during which the joint is fixed with special knitting needles. the period of wearing a plaster cast is 6-8 weeks.

Upon completion of the course of therapy, the function of the broken limbs is fully rehabilitated after 8 weeks. General strengthening therapy is used to accelerate the processes of bone tissue regeneration and complete recovery.

Recovery from trauma

Rehabilitation includes physiotherapeutic procedures, massage, medical gymnastics. During the rehabilitation process, it is recommended to minimize walking, not to mention running. You should wear comfortable and spacious shoes without high heels. When resting, the affected leg should be in a raised state (for example, it can be placed on a pillow). Severe edema is eliminated in the first 2-3 days with cold compresses, but in no case should they be abused.

Food should be rational, rich in useful vitamins and minerals. The food should definitely include vegetables and fruits in sufficient quantities.
Here it should be noted separately foods rich in calcium (cheese, eggs, cottage cheese), which are essential for building bone tissue. You also need to exclude or limit strong coffee, carbonated and alcoholic beverages in connection with the ability of these products to remove calcium from the human body. Doctors also advise taking multivitamins, C, D, B12.

Big toe fractures are quite common. A person can injure a limb at home, at work, during sports. Complaints depend on the severity, the number of damaged bones. Single fractures of the nail phalanx without displacement are easy to miss, confuse with a bruise.

Late diagnosis leads to improper bone fusion, deformity of the foot, pain when walking, and gait disturbance. If, after a blow, a person cannot fully step on a limb, a bruise or curvature of the phalanx occurs, an X-ray examination is necessary.

The toes take part in the formation of the arch of the foot, perform a shock-absorbing function, and provide stability while walking. These are tubular bones of small size, which are interconnected by joints. All toes except the first have three phalanges, the big toe two. This feature leads to an increase in the load on the bone, contributes to the occurrence of injuries.

It should be noted that the first finger, like the little finger, is located on the side, therefore, when hitting objects, playing sports, the risk of damage to these bones is much higher.

Reasons

A toe fracture occurs in all populations, but children, athletes and the elderly are most susceptible to this type of injury. While playing football, weightlifting, basketball, there is a risk of falls, twisting the legs, strong blows on the ball, which subsequently leads to bruises, fractures. In childhood, as well as in old age, bone strength is slightly reduced. Therefore, injuries occur more often.

Depending on the cause, the following types of fractures are distinguished:

• pathological damage.The integrity of the bone is compromised even during light loads. Tuberculosis, osteomyelitis, osteoporosis, diseases of the parathyroid glands lead to a decrease in bone density;
• Traumatic fractures occur as a result of the action of great force, while the phalanges of the fingers have a normal structure. The most common reason is the fall of a heavy object on the leg, hitting the fingers on the table, sofa. Less commonly, injury occurs after jumping from a height, while playing sports.

Classification

All injuries to the phalanges of the fingers are usually divided into several groups.This classification allows you to choose the correct method of treatment, the sequence of first aid.

Depending on the damage to the skin, the following types of injuries are distinguished:

• open. Bone fragments come out, the integrity of the skin, blood vessels, nerves, tendons is disrupted. There is a risk of infection in the wound, bleeding. Such patients should be treated first;
• closed injuries are less hazardous to health. Skin lesions are not observed, most often these are intra-articular fractures.

With the help of X-ray examination, it is possible to determine the number of fragments, their location. Having received the images, the doctor can make an accurate diagnosis indicating the type of fracture and the presence of complications. Traumatologists distinguish the following types of injuries:

• offset. The fragments can wedge into each other, move to the sides. As a rule, the location of bone fragments depends on the place of attachment of muscles and tendons. At the time of the fracture, a reflex contraction of muscle fibers occurs, the nail phalanx in most cases deviates inward;
• no offset.This type of injury is easier to treat, since the fragments do not need to be compared. It is enough to fix the bone for several weeks.

Depending on the location of the fracture line, the following types of damage exist:

• fracture of the nail phalanx of the big toe;
• fracture of the main phalanx;
• with multi-splinter injuries, a large number of fragments occurs, both phalanges can be damaged.

Main symptoms

Clinical manifestations may differ for different types of injury.A marginal fracture of a toe is difficult to distinguish from a bruise, because the symptoms are mild, the pain syndrome is moderate, edema, redness occur on the second day. Open injuries or multiple splinters are life-threatening. As a result of trauma, a shock state, loss of consciousness may develop. Therefore, first aid to such patients must be provided immediately.

All symptoms are conditionally divided into two groups. There are relative signs that indicate damage has occurred, but they are not unique to fractures.In case of dislocations, bruises, these manifestations will also be present. Given the absolute symptoms, it is safe to determine the presence of a fracture.

Relative manifestations include:

• Pain at the site of injury. The nature of the pain can vary. At the time of the fracture, this is acute pain, which is associated with damage to the nerve fibers. In the future, an inflammatory reaction occurs, the nature of the pain changes to dull, aching;
• due to a violation of the integrity of the bone, edema occurs.The vascular wall becomes more permeable, fluid escapes into the intercellular space. Big toe swelling may extend to the back of the foot;
• redness, hematoma indicate damage to the blood vessels. With a fracture of the distal phalanx, blue discoloration, bruising under the nail plate is observed;
• Sharp soreness when trying to step on the leg. The thumb is often deflected, takes a forced position. Phalanx movements are impossible;
• at the site of injury, the temperature of the skin may rise.Such changes indicate the process of inflammation.

Among the absolute manifestations, the following are distinguished:

• palpation of bone fragments. The doctor with extreme caution probes the site of injury, determining the presence of fragments;
• Crepitus is a specific symptom of a fracture. When performing the above manipulation, a crunch is heard, which occurs due to the friction of parts of the bone against each other;
• shortening of the thumb indicates mixing of fragments along the length;
• Abnormal mobility is detected in an atypical location.On the healthy side, the bone is complete, on the damaged side, there is a displacement of fragments.

Pay attention!
Only an experienced physician should check for absolute symptoms. Inaccurate movements, the use of force can lead to damage to blood vessels, nerves, and the development of complications.

The photo shows a typical view of the foot with a fracture of the big toe.

Diagnostics

It is not difficult to make a diagnosis in most cases.X-ray examination is the gold standard of diagnosis. Pictures are taken in two projections, which allows you to see even small cracks.

The diagnostic process consists of several steps:

• The main point in collecting anamnesis is the fact of injury. A fall on the lower extremity of a heavy object, a jump from a height, a blow during sports can suspect an injury to the thumb;
• Among the complaints, pain at the site of injury plays an important role, movements in the interphalangeal joints are limited;
• on examination, there is edema, redness of the skin.The finger is in an unnatural position. On palpation, the doctor determines the presence of fragments, crepitus.
• X-ray examination allows to confirm the diagnosis;
• , computed tomography is used in rare cases when the clinical picture does not correspond to the radiological one.

Complications

With single fractures of the big toe without displacement, the symptoms are minimal. The pain is dull, the gait is slightly disturbed. People do not seek help, hoping for a speedy recovery.It is very difficult to independently distinguish a fracture from a bruise or sprain. In such cases, bone fragments do not grow together correctly, which leads to complications in the future.

The most common consequences of a fracture include:

• ankylosis. This term means the absence of movement in the interphalangeal joint;
• Incorrect bone fusion leads to deformity of the thumb, chronic pain in the foot, gait disturbance;
• formation of a false joint;
• development of infectious complications during infection (more common with an open fracture).

First Aid

What to do if a thumb fracture occurs? The answer is simple: don’t panic and call an ambulance. Before the arrival of doctors, all efforts should be directed to anesthetizing the site of injury, fixing the limb, stopping bleeding with an open wound. In order for assistance to be provided effectively, it is recommended to adhere to the following rules:

• Call a doctor without fail! Despite the absence of severe symptoms, one cannot refuse to consult a doctor.An experienced specialist will examine the leg, administer anesthesia if necessary, determine if hospitalization is necessary;
• limb fixation. It is recommended to put the foot on the heel, bend a little at the ankle joint. The thumb should not touch the surrounding objects. In this position, the pain decreases;
• Immobilization is performed only when displaced. It has now been proven that fractures without displacement before the arrival of an ambulance need not be fixed with improvised means.Attempts to change the position of the finger, straighten it lead to increased pain, worsening of the condition;
• Pain relief is an integral part of treatment. You can relieve pain with ibuprofen, analgin, nimesil;
• Cold is your best friend for thumb injuries. As a result, the edema decreases due to vasoconstriction, the pain syndrome becomes less pronounced.

Pay attention!
To prevent frostbite, apply an ice pack for a maximum of 10 minutes.Then you should take a break of 3-4 minutes and repeat the procedure again.

Treatment

Many people ask the question: is a plaster cast necessary for a finger fracture? The choice of treatment method depends on the location of the fracture, the number of fragments, the degree of displacement. In some cases, it is possible to do without a plaster cast; in case of serious injuries, surgical treatment is indicated.

Conservative patient management

After the X-ray examination, the doctor can choose a one-stage closed reduction with subsequent fixation of the fragments.The essence of the method is as follows: it is necessary to match the bone fragments after anesthesia, apply a plaster cast. Conservative management is possible with closed single fractures without complications. If it was not possible to match the fragments, surgery is indicated.

Surgical treatment

Skeletal traction is used to eliminate displacement. A small weight is suspended from the nail phalanx, as a result of which the bone fragments are pulled out. Further, there is a comparison of surfaces and fixation.How much to wear plaster depends on the severity of the disease, the age of the patient. Callus develops within 3-4 weeks. Therefore, the minimum immobilization period is a month, then it all depends on the rate of bone fusion.

Osteosynthesis is used for multifragile fracture, pronounced displacement. The fragments are connected using plates, screws.

Features of immobilization

Despite the small size of the bones of the first toe, a plaster cast must be applied.To immobilize the fingers as much as possible, the entire foot is fixed, the upper third of the lower leg. In its shape, the bandage looks like a boot.

Treatment without plaster is possible only for cracks, small marginal fractures of the finger. In such cases, for the purpose of immobilization, the finger is fixed to the neighboring ones using an adhesive plaster or elastic bandage.

The rehabilitation period takes 2-3 months. It is necessary to load the limb gradually. Shoes with a fracture of the thumb should be chosen with an instep support.This reduces the pressure on the arch of the foot. The diet should contain calcium-containing foods. If all the doctor’s recommendations are followed, it is possible to return to the usual way of life in a few months.

Fractures of toes are common in the practice of traumatologists and no one is immune from their occurrence. You can get such an injury even with a banal blow of your leg against a corner, furniture, or when you twist your leg.

In this article we will introduce you to the types, manifestations, methods of first aid, diagnosis and treatment of fractures of the toes.This information will be useful for you, and you will be able to suspect the presence of such an injury in time, correctly provide first aid to the victim and make an adequate decision on the need for treatment by a specialist.

In 95% of cases, toes break due to traumatic causes – impact or compression. However, sometimes such injuries occur due to pathological factors – neoplasms or bone tuberculosis. These diseases cause destruction of the bone, and even a minimal mechanical effect on it can cause its fracture.

According to statistics, fractures of the toes account for 5% of all fractures, and in case of leg injuries, every third patient of a traumatologist is diagnosed. As a rule, they respond well to treatment and there is a misconception among the population that such fractures are simple and can heal on their own without the participation of a specialist. However, the lack of qualified and timely treatment can lead to the development of many complications, which will subsequently cause more inconvenience than the injury itself.

Classification

Fractures of the toes can be open or closed. Most often, such injuries are not accompanied by damage to the skin.

In most cases, toe fractures are not accompanied by damage to the skin, that is, they are closed.

By the presence of displacement, closed and open fractures of the toes can be:

• with displacement;
• no offset.

Fractures of toes with displacement can be:

• with angular displacement;
• with wedging;
• Side Shift
• with longitudinal divergence;
• with longitudinal engagement.

Angular displacement of fragments of the phalanges often occurs in children and is rarely observed. This fact is explained by the fact that at this age the periosteum remains elastic and may not be damaged by mechanical stress. In such cases, the broken bone is not completely held on it, and the fragment is displaced in the direction opposite to the fracture line.

The wedging of fragments in fractures of the toes is detected in 1 / 4-1 / 3 cases, since during the injury the direction of the impact often coincides with the longitudinal axis of the toe.However, wedging of one fragment into another is rare. As a rule, there is a strong deformation of the cartilaginous tissue, accompanied by the appearance of several sub-articular cracks.

Lateral displacement of fragments with such fractures is extremely rare.

Fractures with longitudinal overlapping of fragments behind each other are observed more often than injuries with a discrepancy, because in such cases, muscle contraction occurs and the surrounding tissues are pulled together, shifting the fragments. Longitudinal divergence in such injuries occurs with significant damage to the ligaments and muscles in the fracture area.

According to the number of fragments, fractures of the toes are divided into:

• splinterless;
• one- or two-splinted;
• multi-chipped.

Splinter-free fractures usually occur in falls. One- and two-splintered – when struck with a blunt object, and multi-splintered – when hit by an object with an uneven surface (for example, a stone).

Depending on the fault line, the fracture can be:

• transverse;
• longitudinal;
• oblique;
• helical;
• T-shaped;
• S-shaped, etc.p.

Depending on the location of the fracture line, injuries can occur in the following areas of the toe:

• main phalanx;
• nail phalanx;
• middle phalanx.

Sometimes two or more phalanges are damaged at the same time. A fracture of the big toe is isolated separately, since it consists not of three, but of two phalanges. Symptoms when it is damaged are more pronounced, since it carries the maximum load when walking.

Symptoms

Signs of toe fractures are divided into probable and reliable.

Possible symptoms of a broken toe include the following:

• pain in the injured toe;
• redness and swelling of tissues in the area of ​​the fracture;
• increase in tissue temperature in the area of ​​injury;
• Restriction or complete absence of movement of the injured finger;
• increased pain when tapping on the end of the finger;
• Forced position of the injured finger.

Pain in such fractures can be different in intensity, but they are always tolerable and do not lead to loss of consciousness, as is the case with injuries of larger bones. Particularly acute and strongly painful sensations are expressed precisely at the moment of bone fracture, since the periosteum is highly innervated. After a short time, the pain becomes dull and is caused by the development of bleeding, the appearance of edema and an inflammatory reaction.

In case of injury, substances such as serotonin, histamine and bradykinin are released into the bloodstream, which provoke the development of an inflammatory process in the area of ​​damage.As a result, swelling and redness appear in this place, and the temperature of the inflamed tissues rises. To reduce pain, the victim tries to find a position for the finger in which it will manifest itself to a lesser extent.

A symptom of increased pain when tapping the top of the injured finger is a kind of test to determine a bruise or fracture of the finger. If the integrity of one of the phalanges is violated, pain appears at the site of its fracture, and with bruises of the finger, such sensations do not arise.It should be noted that such actions cannot be performed if there is a suspicion of displacement of fragments. In such cases, performing the test can provoke further misalignment and exacerbate the injury.

Reliable symptoms of a toe fracture include the following:

• detection of a bone defect in the phalanx during palpation;
• pathological mobility of the phalanx in an unusual place;
• crepitus of fragments during palpation;
• the injured toe becomes shorter than the same healthy toe on the other leg;
• Broken toe deformity appears.

Such reliable signs of a fracture in almost 100% of cases indicate the presence of a fracture, but manipulations associated with palpation are always accompanied by severe pain and should be performed only by a specialist and as carefully as possible. Usually they are not performed, and the diagnosis is confirmed by X-ray.

First aid

An open wound should be treated with an antiseptic solution and applied with a sterile bandage.

As with other injuries accompanied by a violation of the integrity of the bone, first-aid care for fractures of the toes is aimed at eliminating pain, disinfecting wounds (if any), reducing hemorrhages and immobilizing the injured limb.It consists in carrying out the following measures:

1. Eliminate the traumatic factor and seat the patient in a comfortable position, giving the leg an elevated position.
2. Give an analgesic drug to take: Analgin, Nimesil, Ibufen, Ketanol, etc. Or, if possible, perform an intramuscular injection of an analgesic.
3. In the presence of open wounds, treat them with an antiseptic solution and apply a bandage from a sterile bandage.
4. Immobilization should be performed only if fragments are suspected to be displaced.In other cases, it is enough to give the leg an elevated position. If you need to immobilize your thumb, handy tools such as two pencils or plates covered with two layers of cloth can be used. They are held to the right and left of the toe and are bandaged to the shin. When immobilizing other toes of the foot, there is no need to use a splint – the injured toe is bandaged to one or two healthy toes.
5. Apply cold to the area of ​​injury to reduce pain and bleeding.Every 10 minutes, the ice pack should be removed for 2-3 minutes for prophylaxis.
6. To transport a patient to a hospital, it is better to call an ambulance or to carry out this event on your own, but as sparingly as possible for the injured leg.

Diagnostics

Radiography is the gold standard for diagnosing fractures of the toes. The images are taken in one or two projections and allow you to create an accurate picture of the injury: displacement, fracture location, etc.p.

Treatment

The tactics of treating a fracture of a toe is determined by the clinical picture of the injury. For bone fusion, the following methods can be used:

• closed one-stage reduction;
• skeletal traction;
• open reduction.

In case of open fractures, antibiotics are prescribed to prevent purulent complications and, if necessary, vaccination against.

Closed one-step reduction

This treatment is used to repair closed displaced fractures.The area of ​​injury is anesthetized by injecting a local anesthetic into the surrounding soft tissue (after a preliminary test for an allergic reaction). As a rule, lidocaine or procaine is used for these purposes. After the onset of the action of the drug, a smooth extension of the injured finger is carried out. In parallel with this, the doctor performs the return of the fragments to the physiological position.

After matching the fragments, the mobility of all joints (metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal) is checked.If not all joints remain mobile, then a second reduction is performed. If the movements in all joints persist, then immobilization is carried out using a plaster cast or other devices.

Skeletal traction

This method of treating fractures of the toes is indicated when closed reduction is not possible. For this, manipulations are performed to provide retraction and support of the distal fragment. They make it possible to prevent the divergence of fragments.

Skeletal traction is performed after local anesthesia. A special pin or nylon thread is drawn through the skin or nail phalanx, the ends of which are tied to give it the appearance of a ring. Subsequently, a wire hook is fixed to the gypsum, which will hold the ring in the position necessary for skeletal traction.

After performing these manipulations, the patient should wear a plaster cast for at least 2-3 weeks. At the same time, finger punctures are treated daily with antiseptic solutions (Cutasept, Betadine, alcoholic solution of iodine or brilliant green).After 2-3 weeks, the thread or pin is removed, and the finger is immobilized again for the same period for complete bone healing.

Open reduction

Indications for performing a surgical operation – intraosseous osteosynthesis – may be the following cases:

• open fracture;
• multi-splinter fracture;
• complications arising from other methods of treatment.

Such interventions allow restoring the integrity of the bone with visual control and provide high reliability of fixation of fragments with metal devices.

Pins, screws, plates and wires are used for intraosseous fixation. The selection of this or that device is determined by the clinical picture of the fracture. After the completion of the operation, immobilization is performed using a splint or plaster cast for 4-8 weeks.

In more rare cases, osteosynthesis is performed using a system of metal rods fixed with circles or half-arcs – the Ilizarov apparatus. This is due to the cumbersomeness of such structures or the lack of apparatus of the required dimensions.

Possible complications

• giant callus;
• Incorrect fusion of fragments;
• ankylosis;
• osteomyelitis;
• gangrene.

Is plaster always applied

For immobilization in case of fractures of the toes, a plaster cast or other polymeric materials can be used that can provide reliable immobilization. For the patient, the most convenient dressings are made of polymers, since they are lighter and are not exposed to water (when wearing them, there are no restrictions on hygiene measures).In addition, polymeric materials, unlike gypsum, always remain warm and do not “cool” the leg. Such hypothermia when wearing a plaster cast can lead to a violation of the strength of the callus. The only drawback of polymers used for immobilization is their high cost.

An immobilizing bandage for fractures of toes is applied not only to the injured toe, but also covers the entire foot and the lower third of the lower leg. Only with this method of applying a “boot” bandage is it possible to achieve complete immobilization, which is necessary for a successful bone fusion.

In some cases, immobilization is not performed. These exceptions include:

• phalanx cracks – they are repaired on their own;
• The first days after surgery on the leg with concomitant fracture of the fingers – a plaster cast is applied after the beginning of the healing of the postoperative wound;
• Use of the Ilizarov apparatus – fixation of fragments is provided by the device itself.

How long does the plaster last

The duration of limb immobilization in case of toe fractures depends on many factors – the complexity of the injury, age, concomitant pathologies that impede bone fusion.The terms of wearing the plaster can be as follows:

• for closed fractures without displacement – 2-3 weeks, working capacity is restored in 3-4 weeks;
• for fractures with displacement or the presence of multiple fragments – 3-4 weeks, work capacity is restored after 6-8 weeks;
• for open fractures or after osteosynthesis – 5-6 weeks, work capacity is restored after 9-10 weeks.

Rehabilitation

Therapeutic exercise helps to restore the functions of the damaged finger.

The duration of rehabilitation after fractures of the toes depends on the same factors as the duration of immobilization. As a rule, the recovery period is about 3-4 weeks, but with multi-splinter injuries it is extended by 2 weeks. The development of complications leads to a significant slowdown in rehabilitation – it is almost doubled.

To restore the functions of the damaged finger, the following are prescribed:

• physiotherapy exercises;
• massage courses;
• physiotherapy procedures (UHF, hot salt or ozokerite applications, mechanotherapy, salt and soda baths).

A fractured toe should always be a reason to see a doctor. Improper treatment of such injuries can lead to the development of severe complications that will cause the victim a lot of suffering and worsen his quality of life. To eliminate such fractures, various techniques can be used, the choice of which depends on the nature of the fracture. If all the doctor’s recommendations are followed and the correct choice of the method of treatment, such injuries respond well to therapy.

Which doctor to contact

If you suspect a toe fracture, consult an orthopedist.After examining the victim, the doctor will definitely prescribe an X-ray and, based on its results, draw up the most effective treatment plan.

A toe fracture is a violation of the integrity of its bone. Such fractures are quite common. This is due to the fact that the phalanges of the toes are more vulnerable to external influences, and are also subject to strong pressure from body weight. Most often, the distal phalanges of the I and II fingers are prone to fractures due to their location.

Classification of toe fractures

Due to the occurrence of fractures are pathological and traumatic.Most often, traumatic fractures occur when a blow to the toe is received, due to twisting of the leg, compression, or a fall on the foot of a heavy object. A pathological finger fracture occurs due to a decrease in the level of bone tissue strength due to diseases such as osteoporosis and others. Also, fractures are divided into: open and closed, without displacement and with displacement, complete and partial. Fractures can be localized on the main, middle and nail phalanx, as well as be combined.There are simultaneous fractures of two or three phalanges, which is quite possible with the anatomical structure of the finger. In case of damage to tissues and skin, a fracture of a toe is called open, usually this type includes traumatic fractures. Displaced injuries can cause pinching of nerves, blood vessels, or muscles.

Symptoms of a toe fracture

Symptoms of a toe fracture are absolute and relative. The presence of relative symptoms suggests the possibility of a fracture; the presence of absolute symptoms is an indisputable confirmation of this.Relative symptoms include:

• Intense sharp pain that increases with passive finger movements;
• Impaired motor function of the limb;
• Significant swelling or swelling of the injured toe;
• Hemorrhage under the nail or skin.

The severity of the symptoms of a toe fracture depends on its location. For example, pain in an injury to the main phalanx, which articulates with the bones of the foot, will be more pronounced than in a fracture of the distal phalanx of this toe.Also, the size and edema at the base of the finger due to the larger vessels located in this area will be much larger than in the distal phalanges. Relative symptoms of a finger fracture include:

• Unnatural position of the finger;
• Pathological mobility;
• Crepitation in the area of ​​the fracture (crunching of bones when pressed).

An interesting feature is that a fracture of any finger other than the thumb may go unnoticed.It can only be detected when visiting a doctor due to increasing pain sensations.

Fracture of the big toe

A fracture of the big toe always has more pronounced symptoms. This is due to the fact that the finger is the largest of all in size, when walking, there is a greater load on it than on the other fingers, and it consists of two, not three phalanges, like the others. Quite often, intra-articular fractures of the thumb occur, accompanied by acute pain and impaired motor function of the limb, while in order to reduce pain, the patient tries to transfer support to the heel.

In cases of such injuries, the swelling can spread to the entire foot, and the skin can acquire a bluish tint. Often, a fracture of the thumb, which initially appeared to be closed, turns out to be complicated due to damage to the skin at the site of injury and penetration of infection.

First aid for a fractured toe

In the event of a toe fracture, assistance must be provided in the first minutes after the injury before the arrival of doctors, since the further course of fusion depends on this.The patient needs to ensure peace, try not to disturb the injured limb, excluding any stress. It is recommended to apply a hot water bottle with ice or a cold compress to the fracture site. In this case, the leg should be raised above the level of the heart to prevent or reduce the growing swelling and pain relief, and also apply a splint to completely immobilize the leg.

With an open fracture, due to the absence of large arteries in the toes, there will not be a strong one, so it is enough to just disinfect the wound and then apply a bandage.

Toe fracture treatment

An X-ray examination is performed to make an accurate diagnosis of a finger injury. Treatment of a toe fracture depends on the nature of the injuries received, but in any case, pain relievers such as promedol, ibuprofen, and Tylenol are prescribed first. With an open fracture, the bone fragments are repositioned and the limb immobilized, the mandatory administration of rabies serum is prescribed for prophylaxis, as well as a course of antibiotics to prevent the likelihood of secondary infection.

In case of a closed fracture of a toe, a closed reduction of the bone is performed; in case of a fracture of the distal phalanx, the nail plate is perforated to remove the hematoma, followed by immobilization and fixation of the bone. Simple fractures of the fingers, except the thumb, are treated without the use of a plaster cast by placing a splint on the broken finger for 4-7 weeks. To relieve pain, it is recommended to use special shoes with hard soles or orthopedic.

In case of a fracture of the proximal phalanx of the thumb, plaster immobilization lasts about 4-6 weeks.In the treatment of a toe fracture with localization inside the joint, surgical intervention is often indicated with an open reduction of the fragments and intra-articular fixation using special pins. The restoration of the motor function of the fingers after the operation occurs after 2 months. To accelerate the process of recovery and regeneration of bone tissue, the attending physician may prescribe a rehabilitation course for the patient, which includes: massage, physiotherapy procedures, therapeutic exercises and the possible use of biological additives that stimulate collagen synthesis.

To protect yourself from toe fractures, you need to wear comfortable shoes with an orthopedic insole with non-slip soles, and also include foods containing protein and calcium in your daily diet.

90,000 Signs of a toe fracture – Fingers and toes

Signs of a broken toe

Fracture of the finger is the third most frequent injury. This word should be understood as a physical violation of the integrity of the bones as a result of the emergence of force.It is much stronger than the bone skeleton’s resistance limit. It should be noted that finger fractures are quite common, especially in children. After all, they learn a new world, are interested in any subject. As a result, unpleasant situations occur, from which parents do not always save.

Many people believe that finger fractures are not very serious injuries, they do not require significant attention. But this judgment is wrong. After all, if you close your eyes to the problem with a fracture of a finger, do not go to a doctor, then serious problems will arise.You will have to spend a lot of time and nerves to restore the performance of the finger and its structure.

What is a finger and its function

The toe belongs to an important element of the general system of human movement. Indeed, in conjunction with the foot, it can withstand colossal loads while walking, and allows you to maintain balance. It is worth noting that all fingers have a fairly simple structure, several bones called phalanges. They are connected to each other by a special interphalangeal joint, which allows the finger to bend and unbend.If an injury occurs, the finger will lose its function, the person will not be able to lead a normal life, play sports.

Why does the fracture occur

It is possible to break a finger not only at work, but also at home due to an incorrect fall, severe bruises on hard objects and unsuccessful jumps from a height. All this negatively affects the general condition of a person, it is necessary to contact a specialist. A fracture can be characterized by damage not only to bone but also to human skin.

Symptoms of a broken toe on the leg

Fractures of the fingers can be divided into several types:

• Traumatic fracture – occurs due to physical impact on the foot. It can be severe bruising, various kinds of compression and twisting;
• Pathological fracture – occurs due to the effects of all kinds of diseases of the skin, tissue and bone itself. Any stage of osteoporosis, bone cancer, tuberculosis, tumor and thyroid dysfunction can be distinguished.

If we talk about damage to the skin, then it happens:

• Open type fracture;
• Closed fracture.

It should be noted that most often a person encounters a closed type of finger fracture. Due to this, no surgical intervention is required, spending a lot of time and money on treatment. The main thing is to immediately consult a doctor and take an X-ray. It will make it clear which treatment complex is required, what to look for.As for an open fracture, it requires surgical intervention and special attention from the attending physician. After all, if something is done wrong, complications will arise. Does your toe hurt after a fracture?

Based on the displacement of the bone fragment, they are divided:

• Severe displacement fracture;
• Fracture without any displacement.

Many doctors believe that a non-displaced fracture is the simplest type of trouble. Indeed, during treatment, it is not required to reposition the fragments of the bone base, to place them in the correct physiological sequence.The displacement fracture requires specialized equipment and a lot of time. In addition to the fracture itself, it is required to restore the skin, which is torn as a result of a cut.

Fracture with displacement is divided into several others:

• Fracture, which has a longitudinal divergence of the oblique fragment;
• Fracture that has a longitudinal insertion of a bone fragment;
• A fracture that has an angular displacement;
• Fracture that has lateral displacement;
• Fracture that has a wedging fragment.

The first type occurs quite often, especially in young children. It is characterized by a violation of the integrity of the ligaments, the muscle base next to the fracture and tightening of the elastic muscle and tissues. As a result, there is a lot of trouble.

Angular misalignment occurs rarely, most often in children. Indeed, at a young age, bones are very fragile, they are not ways to withstand impacts and loads. With any blow, a banal fracture of one part of the bone occurs.She begins to move to the other side of the kink, which is not very pleasant.

Lateral offsets are very rare. Indeed, for its implementation, an important condition is required: the different ends of the bone base must be attached by muscles capable of pulling the bone in a direction other than the perpendicular to the axis.

A fracture that has a wedging of a bone fragment occurs quite often, especially in children. After all, the impact has the same direction as the longitudinal axis.The articular base receives a tremendous load. Serious deformation occurs not only of the finger itself, but also of the articular surface. Many people mistakenly believe that this type of fracture refers to closed, without displacement. But this is not so, because during a detailed examination and an X-ray, you can notice a serious difference in the length of the injured area and the healthy one.

If we talk about the fault line, then they divide:

• Longitudinal;
• Cross;
• Oblique;
• S-shaped;
• Helical;
• T-shaped.

As for the very mechanism of injury, there are direct and indirect. The first type has one fracture line, it arises directly at the place of the applied force. The second type occurs slightly away from the damaged area, where a colossal load is not required.

By the number of bone fragments:

• Shatterless;
• Single splinter;
• Two-splinter;
• Multi-split.

The first type is typical for a fracture that arose as a result of overloading the bone base.One and two fragments are characteristic when struck with a blunt, smooth object, for example, a bat. As for the large number of fragments, they arise as a result of a blow with a blunt object, such as a stone.