Why don't they put a cast on a broken toe?
The doctor, of course, knows best what to do with your finger. If we exclude the absence of gypsum in traumatology, then we can assume that tying them together is enough for the process of bone fusion to begin, and it’s much more convenient for you.
I also had a broken toe, they didn’t do anything either, and I wasn’t really in favor, I had to go to the seaside. Why don't they put plaster on? If the fracture is closed, is it so important how the finger is fused? They suggest wrapping it tightly and that’s it. Wind it tightly so that it is straight. And they don’t want to bother with their fingers.
Sometimes, in fact, they don’t put a cast on, a girl from my daughter’s school broke her little finger one day, they just put a bandage on her, another one broke a cast on her arm, but it’s a hand. Maybe because the finger grows it can be so crooked in itself how to put a plaster on it if it is curved like the letter -c.
A friend of mine also had a fracture of the little toe on his left foot and was put in a plaster cast. But the most interesting thing is that although a plaster cast was applied, the healing process took a very long time and the finger did not heal properly, although X-rays were periodically taken. So a lot depends on the doctor.
It very much depends on the type of fracture, for example they applied it to me, but why apply a cast at all? It is correct that the finger grows together correctly, and if this is possible without a plaster, then why torture the butt as they say? Therefore, it is a completely normal and ordinary situation, do not overexert your finger and everything will be fine.
I can’t say why they didn’t put you in a cast. For my sister, when she had a bad ride down a slide as a child and broke her little finger (and this was in winter boots!), they put her in a cast. Apparently, it doesn’t matter to them how it grows together.
We also had the second toe after the big one broken, and the surgeon, after an examination and x-ray, said not to do anything, just walk less in loose shoes, although there was a little pain when he stepped on the toe. Then everything grew together, the finger is normal. What is the reason for this, the absence of plaster on the toes, is not clear. Maybe the toes don’t move much and don’t bend to the sides, so they don’t cast them. Although, no matter how you put the plaster, if there is a small distance between the toes, it will turn out that the other toes will be spread apart and then you will definitely not be able to put on any shoes. And so the finger is broken, but you can go to work, they don’t give you sick leave, apparently it’s convenient for them.
If the thumb is broken, then use a plaster cast. For other fingers, it is enough to apply a splint. The point of these actions is to securely fix the finger for proper recovery. It is more difficult to fix the thumb for a long time, this is about one month, or even a month and a half.
It all depends on the doctor. Some people consider it necessary to put plaster on their fingers, others apparently think that this will interfere with the proper healing of the bones, or rather the phalanges of the finger. Only a cast can fix the entire foot in a motionless state, and a bandage will do for the toe.
And they put me in a cast. with a broken little finger. When I was walking I just wanted to see what was wrong with my finger. The plaster cast was the same as for a broken leg. I had to call a taxi home. Well, it will probably go away faster, walking is uncomfortable. I'm sitting at home now. But health comes first. it is necessary, it is necessary.
In general, it is problematic to apply on such a part of the body, and there is really no need, since by their nature, the bones there are inactive, and just a tight bandage is enough to fix them in one position.
A toe fracture is a common injury in the traumatology field. What are the signs of a broken toe? How long does it take for a bone to heal? What treatment will be most effective?
You can break a toe in an emergency situation, a heavy object falling on your foot, or an emergency situation. Trauma is widespread in everyday life. For example, a toe fracture is possible when traveling on public transport during rush hours or when wearing uncomfortable shoes, in which the foot is subjected to increased stress. You can get injured by tripping or stumbling.
Often such damage is observed in athletes when, due to injury, the foot is forced to bend. The injury can also be pathological in nature. The provoking factors in this case are factors such as osteoporosis, bone cancer or tuberculosis and other diseases that increase the fragility of bone tissue and reduce its strength.
Most often in medical practice, a fracture of the big toe is recorded. This is explained by the fact that the big toe, unlike the others, has only 2 phalanges. In addition, it is the thumb that bears the main load when walking. Its protruding anatomical position also increases the risk of injury.
Depending on the location of the injury, traumatologists identify toe fractures according to the following classification:
Toe injuries are also divided into open and closed. In the first case, bone tissue damages the skin and a wound is formed. The injury can occur either with displacement of bone fragments or without accompanying displacement.
Doctors identify the following most characteristic symptoms of a broken toe:
The fractured organ swells greatly and noticeably increases in size, while its visual shortening is observed. The injured lower limb takes on an unnatural position. Any attempt to step on the leg or move the fingers causes the victim to experience severe pain.
What to do if such symptoms appear? It is important to provide competent first aid to the victim and take him to the emergency room for diagnosis and comprehensive, adequate treatment!
When a toe is broken, improper treatment causes numerous and dangerous complications. First of all, the bone may heal incorrectly, accompanied by the formation of a bone callus. As a result, the patient will have serious difficulties when walking and choosing shoes.
In addition, the following complications are possible:
One of the most dangerous consequences is gangrene - the death of injured tissue, provoked by disturbances in blood circulation and oxygen supply. In such situations, the patient faces limb amputation and disability.
To avoid such serious complications, you cannot waste time; you must urgently seek help from specialists, even if you suspect a fracture.
What to do and how to quickly cure a broken toe? First, you should provide the victim with the necessary pre-medical assistance. The patient needs to be provided with absolute rest and to avoid any stress on the injured foot.
In order to facilitate the outflow of blood from the damaged area, reduce swelling and pain, the leg should be in an elevated position. This can be easily achieved by placing a small pillow or cushion under your foot.
To prevent swelling of soft tissues and the formation of extensive subcutaneous hematomas, it is recommended to make an ice compress and apply cold to the damaged area. Many patients experience very severe pain, which can be relieved by an analgesic or non-hormonal anti-inflammatory drug.
Before transporting the victim, his foot must be immobilized. The transport tire can be replaced with improvised materials such as pens or pencils wrapped in fabric.
The success of subsequent treatment and how long the injury will take to heal largely depends on how competently first aid was provided and how quickly a doctor was consulted!
Treatment for a broken toe depends on the type of injury. If the injury is of a fragmentation nature, the specialist assembles a phalanx from individual fragments and secures the fragments with the help of special knitting needles. After this, plaster is applied. Plaster allows you to reduce the load and pressure on the injured finger, provide it with absolute immobility and correct, accelerated fusion.
If the nail phalanx has been injured, then after removing the blood that has accumulated under the nail plate and fixing the fragments, it is attached to the adjacent finger using a special plaster. Injuries with associated displacement require traction, manual reduction, and then a plaster boot that should be worn for about 3 weeks.
In case of open damage, the risk of infection is high. Therefore, first of all, the specialist treats the wound surface with antiseptic solutions and makes a vaccine against tetanus. After this, the victim is required to be prescribed a course of antibiotic therapy. Further rehabilitation of the patient takes place at home, with mandatory compliance with all medical recommendations.
How long does it take for this type of fracture to heal? The answer to this question depends on what kind of injury was sustained and its severity. On average, closed-type injuries without accompanying displacement heal within 2–3 weeks. Open injuries and displaced fractures take longer to heal. In this case, rehabilitation may take from 4 to 6 weeks.
If a patient is diagnosed with a slow-healing fracture, he is shown calcium supplements, chondroprotectors, and special procedures that activate recovery processes.
After the plaster is removed, the fused finger must be developed. For full recovery during the rehabilitation period, patients are recommended the following physiotherapeutic procedures:
Particular attention is paid to physical therapy classes. Special gymnastics will help to avoid the manifestations of contracture, restore functionality and motor activity of the injured limb.
In addition to performing the basic set of exercises recommended by the attending physician, patients are advised to finger small objects (sticks, stones, screws, etc.). By following this rule of rehabilitation, the processes of restoring fine motor activity will be significantly accelerated.
Warm foot baths with the addition of soda or sea salt have a very good effect. Such procedures have analgesic, anti-edematous and anti-inflammatory effects, improve local hemodynamics, and activate regenerative processes. It is recommended to take baths regularly, 2-3 times throughout the day.
During the rehabilitation period, the patient should avoid excessive physical activity and walk less. A prerequisite for successful recovery is wearing comfortable shoes with orthopedic insoles.
A broken toe is a nuisance that can happen to anyone. To avoid unwanted and very serious complications, it is necessary to consult a doctor in a timely manner, undergo proper treatment and comprehensive rehabilitation. By following the specialist’s recommendations, the functions of the injured limb are fully restored within 1–1.5 months.
Among all injuries to the lower extremities of a person, a fracture of the little toe is the most common injury, followed by injuries to the big toe. This is not surprising, because it is easy to catch your little toe on a corner or some object, drop something heavy on your foot, or simply trip over a threshold. Moreover, the big toe has larger bones than the little toe.
Many people consider a fracture of the little toe to be a minor injury, since the phalanges of the toe are small and there is no severe pain during the injury. However, the consequences of a broken toe can be much more serious than the injury itself.
Fractures of the fingers, like any other bones in the human body, can be divided into two types, depending on the reason for which they occurred:
Most often, toe fractures are of traumatic origin due to the fact that the bones in the toe are small and rather fragile. A fracture of the little toe can be open, when a fragment of a broken bone damages the skin, or closed, without damaging the skin. If the injury is closed, you can confuse the fracture with a simple bruise and ignore treatment, which will lead to constant pain in the future. Therefore, it is extremely important to identify the fracture and begin treatment in a timely manner.
Both types of fracture of the phalanx of the finger can be either with or without displacement of bone fragments. In cases where there is no displacement, we can talk about a slight fracture of the toe, but displacement requires surgical intervention, during which the fragments of the bones of the broken toe are placed in the correct position. Symptoms and treatment largely depend on the type of injury. The open type of fracture always involves displacement of the bones, since without it sharp edges of the bone cannot form, damaging the skin.
Displacement of bone fragments can lead to:
A toe fracture can be localized in the area of the main, middle or nail phalanx. How long it takes for bones to heal after a fracture depends on the type of injury and its symptoms.
Symptoms of a broken toe are probable and reliable. Probable signs include signs that can occur not only with a fracture, but also with other injuries to the fingers, for example, with a dislocation, bruise, or sprain. By reliable signs we mean those that can only be present if a person breaks his toe.
Possible signs of a broken toe include:
Initially, acute pain appears immediately at the moment when the finger is broken. This occurs due to damage to the periosteum, which is rich in nerve endings. Some time after the fracture, due to the development of bruising, swelling and inflammation, the pain becomes dull and it becomes impossible to move not only the injured toe, but the entire foot.
Reliable symptoms of a fracture of the little toe are:
To see reliable symptoms, the doctor does not always feel the broken finger, as this can cause acute pain to the victim. These symptoms can be seen when the patient's limb moves accidentally.
Symptoms of a broken toe may be mild, so the victim does not always seek medical help. As a result, the bone heals incorrectly, reacts with pain to changes in weather, and it becomes difficult to choose and wear shoes. Therefore, for any leg injuries, especially if the little finger is broken, the person should be given first aid. What to do if you break your toe before the ambulance arrives? Just follow certain recommendations:
If the bones of the middle and subsequent fingers are damaged, there is no need to apply a splint. If you do not consult a doctor in the near future, then the incorrectly fused bone will remind you of itself in the future and may break again even with a slight force.
When the little toe is fractured, the symptoms often do not provide a full clinical picture, so the victim must undergo an X-ray. X-rays are taken from the bottom of the foot and the side of the foot. Thanks to this, the doctor sees not only the fact of the fracture itself, but also the presence or absence of displacement of the bones relative to each other.
Such injuries can be treated with the help of closed placement of the fragments in their places and fixing the injured finger in the desired position with the help of a plaster, or with the help of surgical intervention, when the doctor cuts the tissue, puts the bones in a physiological position in which bone fusion will take place and fixes them using osteosynthesis. How long it takes for bone tissue to heal depends on the type of fracture.
Treatment of any such injury is not complete without taking painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. As a rule, in addition to this, you may need to take hemostatic agents and vitamins containing calcium, which helps bones heal faster. Immobilization of the diseased part can be done using a plaster cast or a special orthopedic product, for example, an orthosis or a splint. The period of wearing such a fixation device or plaster cast can vary from two to four weeks.
The recovery period lasts about two months and is carried out at home. To prevent a fracture, you must always watch your step and wear comfortable shoes, because it is very easy to break a finger, and this leads to unpleasant consequences that can manifest themselves even after a few years.
For fractures, plaster casts are used, which are applied directly to the skin. They are optimally modeled, fit evenly to the body, guarantee fixation, ensuring immobility. Such dressings can be applied in any situation, harden for a short time, and then are easily removed. The duration of their application depends on the location and type of fracture.
The bones in the lower third of the legs are most susceptible to fractures.
Ankle fractures are a common injury among lower extremity fractures. They break with a sharp and strong turn of the foot, or a blow with a blunt object.
If the ankle is fractured without displacement of the bone fragments relative to each other, a plaster cast is applied in the form of a boot from the toes to the knee joint. The approximate timing of wearing it depends on the type of fracture. In case of a fracture of the lateral malleolus without displacement, the cast is worn for 3.5-4 weeks, with displacement - about 4-5 weeks. If a fracture occurs without displacement of the inner ankle or both ankles - 6-8 weeks, with displacement - up to 8-10 weeks. In case of a fracture without displacement of both ankles or the posterior edge of the tibia - 8-10 weeks, with displacement - 12-15 weeks.
Fractures of the shin bones are also common injuries, their causes are external mechanical influences, sudden blows or falls, uneven distribution of load on the bone.
For a fracture without displacement of the tibia in the middle and lower third, a plaster cast is applied to the knee joint, for fractures in the upper third - to the middle of the thigh for a period of 10-12 weeks.
In case of a fracture without displacement of the fibula in the lower third, plaster is applied to the knee joint; in case of a fracture in the middle and upper third, fixation is carried out with a plaster splint on the lower leg. The duration of immobilization is 4 weeks.
In case of a fracture without displacement of both bones of the leg, a plaster cast is applied to the middle third of the thigh for 10-16 weeks.
In case of displaced fractures of the tibia, depending on the type of displacement, skeletal traction is performed for 4 weeks, and then a plaster is applied for 8-12 weeks, or the bone fragments are fixed with a metal plate and a plaster is applied for 10-12 months.
Fractures of the bones of the foot can cause disruption of its shape and function. Plaster is applied up to the knee joint: for a fracture of the talus without displacement for 6-7 weeks, with displacement for 8-12 weeks; for a fracture of the calcaneus without displacement - for 6-8 weeks, with displacement - for 8-12 weeks; for a fracture without displacement of the scaphoid - for 8 weeks. For comminuted scaphoid fractures, arthrodesis is performed and then a cast is applied for 12 weeks.
In case of a fracture of the metatarsal bones without displacement, plaster is applied for 4-6 weeks, in case of multiple fractures - for 6-8 weeks. In the presence of displaced fractures, manual reduction is performed under anesthesia by traction on the corresponding finger. If the fragments cannot be compared, they resort to open reduction and fixation with knitting needles. After surgery, a cast is applied for 6 weeks.
Fractures of the phalanges of the fingers are caused by compression or falling of heavy objects. Pain and difficulty in walking are caused by fractures of the main phalanges of the fingers.
In the presence of closed fractures without displacement, a posterior plaster splint is applied for 2-4 weeks; in case of displacement, internal reduction is carried out and a plaster is applied for 4-6 weeks.
In the practice of traumatologists, fractures of the big toes occur in two out of three cases. A person can suffer a fracture as a result of an injury or acquired disease.
In medical practice, in 95% of cases, fractures are traumatic in nature, in 5% - pathological , respectively.
Fractures of the thumbs of the lower extremities are classified depending on the severity of the injury, nature and characteristics.
All types of injuries are divided based on the displacement of bones from the norm:
In the second case, the injuries are less severe and do not require the installation of bone fragments in their place. Such fractures heal quite quickly.
As a result of displacement, bone destruction can be of several types:
The last case is the most difficult. Surgeons have to assemble the thumb almost piece by piece.
Injuries are divided according to the mechanism of their formation :
The injury can be localized in different parts:
The thumb of the lower extremities, unlike the rest, takes on the heaviest load. Therefore, when the entire foot is injured, it is often the one that breaks. Depending on the severity of the fracture, the consequences vary. Sometimes the patient cannot step on his foot at all.
Considering that the pain threshold is different for all people, you need to know the main signs of a fracture in order to distinguish it from a regular bruise or dislocation:
signs include the following symptoms :
Based on absolute characteristics, the diagnosis is made by visual examination.
A thumb injury can occur not only at home, but also on the street. You should not try to get home on your own, so as not to worsen the situation. If you are on the street, it is better to sit down with your legs stretched out and call an ambulance.
The patient is delivered in the vehicle in a sitting position. If possible, it is better to lay him on the seats and put a pillow under his leg.
Diagnosis of a fracture includes two stages. First of all, the traumatologist examines the foot visually, asks questions to the victim, and feels the leg. A preliminary diagnosis is made.
Treatment will depend on the shape of the fracture. For displaced injuries, minor surgery is performed. The surgeon, under local anesthesia, performs a reposition - comparing the fragments with each other. The doctor's job is to put the bones back together.
In addition to improper fusion of the finger, if left untreated, you can develop osteomyelitis and gangrene.
Rehabilitation and recovery of the finger after removal of the cast requires some time - up to seven weeks.
Gradually we begin to walk, preferably with long strides. Walking uphill will also allow you to increase the load, which will lead to rapid rehabilitation of previously damaged areas.
A pinky toe fracture is a serious injury that involves breaking the structural integrity of the most fragile bones in the human body, which form the fifth toe. In the little finger, as in other fingers of the upper and lower extremities, there are three phalanges: main, middle and terminal. Each phalanx can receive either a complete fracture, as a result of which the bone is divided into separate parts, or an incomplete fracture, in which the articulation between the parts of the bone is preserved, but its integrity is disrupted.
Incomplete fractures are called fissures. Bone fractures according to the degree of damage to the skin are:
If the integrity of the skin is not broken, there are no wounds or abrasions - this is a closed fracture. If bone fragments are visible in the wound, it is an open fracture. Due to its vulnerable location, little finger fractures are often accompanied by very unpleasant damage to the nail plate.
If a trauma results in the formation of many bone fragments, this is a compression fracture. Such fractures of the little toe often occur when the toe is crushed by a large weight or when very heavy objects fall on the foot.
Open fractures are usually the result of impact with sharp, piercing or cutting objects, such as a metal edge of a fence, wood, or gravel.
Often open fractures are formed as a result of a fall from a height onto hard ground, or when jumping from an elevation. The absolute leader in the number of little finger fractures is a fracture of the distal phalanx, the very end. Fractures of the fingers of the lower extremity make up about five percent of all skeletal fractures, meaning these injuries are quite common. If, as a result of separation, bone fragments change their position relative to each other, this is a displaced fracture; if they remain in the periosteum, this is a non-displaced fracture. What are the signs of a fracture?
Immediately after the injury, the victim feels sharp pain at the site of impact. The innervation of this area is different for everyone, so there are patients who experience severe pain, and there are those who experience minor discomfort.
Further, during a fracture, the following develops:
An open fracture is almost always accompanied by damage to blood vessels and soft tissues, which causes bleeding. Such fractures pose the greatest danger to human health, and it is important to take timely measures to antiseptically treat the wound and stop the bleeding. The easiest way to diagnose is a combined fracture, that is, simultaneous damage to the distal and main phalanx of the little finger.
It is almost impossible to independently distinguish a severe bruise of the little finger from a closed fracture without displacement.
Differential diagnosis should be carried out by a professional traumatologist using x-ray examination. All fingers of the lower extremities have a similar structure, and if any of them is fractured, the symptoms will be the same. The specificity of the little finger is that it is the most vulnerable and fragile bone in the human body. What first aid can be provided to a person if there is a fracture of the big toe, little finger, middle or ring finger?
If an open fracture or any other damage to the skin occurs, the first step is to disinfect the wound.
To do this, carefully treat the lesion with an antiseptic solution, for example, hydrogen peroxide, Chlorhexidine, Miramistin. In the case of deep and extensive wounds, if possible, do not use iodine, brilliant green and fucarcin, undiluted alcohol and vodka - these antiseptics can cause chemical burns of soft tissues.
All harsh antiseptics are well suited for superficial, shallow injuries, such as scratches, abrasions, and cuts.
You cannot independently change the position of the bones in both open and closed fractures. After the wound has been disinfected, a pressure bandage should be carefully applied to the bleeding area. If the first aid provider does not have sufficient dressing skills, it is safer to refrain from this action. To drain the blood, keep the injured leg in an elevated position, and when transporting the victim to the emergency room on your own, place him in the back seat of the car. Emergency medical assistance should be called immediately after the injury occurs.
The vast majority of victims with a fracture of the little finger experience severe pain and therefore require anesthesia.
For pain relief, you can use any non-narcotic drug, for example, Nurafen or Ibuprofen.
After the ambulance arrives, the medical history team needs to be told what medication was taken and what its dosage was.
If a big toe (or any other) has been broken, it is not recommended to give the victim alcohol as a pain reliever. The general rule for all fractures is to immobilize the area where the bones were damaged to prevent their uncontrolled movement.
To prevent fragments of the phalanges of the little finger from causing harm to the joint and surrounding soft tissues, you need to fix the finger by applying a splint using any available means. In the absence of such, you can bandage the affected toe to all the others or to the adjacent toe. When transporting, the victim should not use his legs as support. To narrow the blood vessels, you can use an ice compress made from ice cubes or from a bottle of ice water. Emergency care provided within the first fifteen minutes after injury plays a significant role, helps prevent complications and contributes to the success of the entire treatment.
Upon arrival at the trauma center, the victim is given local anesthesia with an injection of Morphine, Promedol or another drug. After this, the traumatologist collects an anamnesis and finds out the circumstances of the injury. To exclude a bruise, determine the degree of damage to the joints and clarify the clinical picture, an x-ray is taken. If, during a fracture of the distal phalanx, a large amount of blood has accumulated under the nail plate, it is perforated, after which the traumatologist manually repositions the bone fragments and restores the correct anatomical position of the bones. In case of a compression fracture, treatment may be required by applying a compression-distraction device - special wires to hold the fragments in the desired position. Instead of plaster, adhesive tape is sometimes used - this is a modern material for fixation. Recovery time is quite individual and depends on:
In children, any injury heals much faster than in older people - a large amount of periosteum contributes to the rapid formation of new bone tissue. If, during a fracture with displacement between two articular surfaces of the bones, the nerve endings are pinched, a pathological disorder of skin sensitivity may develop. If the articular-ligamentous apparatus is damaged, the functions of the little finger may be partially or completely lost. If a staphylococcal, streptococcal or fungal infection gets into a wound, it can lead to inflammation, the development of phlegmon, and in the most severe cases even leads to amputation of a limb due to necrosis. Complications can develop either immediately after the injury or over a long period of time (up to several years).
You will have to wear a cast or adhesive tape for up to one and a half months. If any complications occur, the period is extended. Complete rehabilitation usually takes two months, but this is also an individual indicator. To develop the muscles and joint-ligamentous apparatus of the injured finger, the victim is prescribed the following rehabilitation measures:
Therapeutic exercises can be done at home yourself, following the recommendations of your doctor. With a responsible attitude towards the rehabilitation period, a toe fracture will heal quickly and painlessly.
This article talks about an injury such as a broken big toe. Symptoms and treatment methods are described.
A broken toe is a fairly common injury. Despite its apparent simplicity, such damage can lead to the development of unpleasant complications.
Anyone can break their big toe, regardless of gender, age or occupation.
There can be several reasons for a fracture:
Conditions that lead to increased fragility of bone tissue can predispose a finger to a fracture. These include osteoporosis, gout, osteomyelitis, thyroid pathology, diabetes mellitus, and cancer.
Like any injury, a fracture of the big toe in a child or adult is classified according to a number of characteristics.
Table No. 1. Types of big toe fracture:
Depending on the type, the symptoms of a big toe fracture will vary and appropriate treatment will be required.
All signs of a big toe fracture can be divided into two groups. The first group of symptoms includes those that are characteristic of any leg injury. The second group includes those signs that are present only during a fracture.
Table No. 2. Signs of a big toe fracture:
Symptoms will also vary depending on the location of the damage. A fracture of the base of the big toe is accompanied by swelling and hematoma in the area where the toe and foot join, and spread to the dorsum of the foot. In this case, it is painful for the patient to step on his foot, which impairs motor function.
A fracture of the nail phalanx of the thumb is characterized by less severe pain. Swelling and hematoma are localized in the area of the nail plate and can spread to the middle of the finger.
Knowing what a fracture of the big toe looks like, you can promptly send the victim to the emergency room.
A fracture of the base of the big toe, if treated incorrectly or untimely, can lead to some complications:
To avoid the development of these conditions, you need to know how to identify a fracture of the big toe and provide the person with qualified medical care.
How to reliably determine a fracture of the big toe?
For this, a set of diagnostic measures is used, the main of which is x-ray examination:
What does a big toe fracture look like on an x-ray? The image shows the location and nature of the fracture line, the presence of freely lying fragments, and their displacement relative to each other.
Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are used relatively rarely, mainly when an intra-articular fracture of the big toe is suspected. They can also be used to determine damage to soft tissues and ligaments.
To diagnose and begin treatment for an injury, the patient must be taken to an emergency room. To do this, it is recommended to call an ambulance, but it is also possible to independently transport the person to a medical facility. Before transportation begins, first aid must be provided.
A fracture of the big toe joint requires the following initial treatment measures:
After the measures are taken, the patient is transported to a medical facility by personal car or ambulance. A specialist will tell you more about first aid measures in the video in this article.
How to treat a fractured big toe? Treatment tactics will depend on the severity of the fracture.
A closed fracture of the first phalanx of the big toe, without displacement of fragments, does not require surgical intervention. The doctor applies a plaster for a fracture of the big toe, after 3-4 weeks a control X-ray is taken and the plaster is removed.
A fracture with displaced fragments needs to be treated longer. After local anesthesia with novocaine, closed reduction of the fragments is carried out, and a fracture fixator is put on for the big toe.
A control radiograph is taken to assess the correctness of the reposition. If reduction cannot be performed using the closed method, treatment of a fracture of the big toe is carried out using skeletal traction. They apply it for two weeks. If the dynamics are positive, the traction is removed and a cast is applied to the fracture of the big toe for a month.
A marginal fracture of the nail phalanx of the big toe requires only fixation with a splint and bandages. It grows together within 3-4 weeks. After removing the splint, use a bandage for a fracture of the big toe until its function is completely restored.
Surgical intervention is required for a comminuted fracture. Bone fragments are fixed with metal screws or plates. After this, a drainage is installed in the wound and a splint is applied for a fracture of the big toe. The wound is treated with antiseptics daily.
Sick leave for a broken toe is mandatory. Its duration depends on the severity of the damage, the minimum period is 30 days.
How to treat a fractured big toe with medications? Drug therapy is auxiliary and is aimed at eliminating pain and accelerating fracture healing.
How to numb a broken toe? Since the pain syndrome is moderate, it can be eliminated with non-narcotic analgesics - Ketorol, Nise. They can be administered intramuscularly or in tablet forms.
Callus formation can be stimulated with the help of calcium supplements. You can buy them at any pharmacy, the price is quite reasonable. The course of treatment is at least a month.
Rehabilitation after a fracture of the big toe should begin in the hospital. It is continued for another two months after discharge.
Rehabilitation measures include:
Exercise therapy exercises are prescribed by the doctor in the hospital, then the patient is given instructions according to which he can perform gymnastics at home.
To regenerate bone tissue, the patient requires not only calcium supplements, but also proper nutrition. The diet should include protein foods, cheese, cottage cheese, and milk. You will need to exclude alcohol, sweets, fatty and fried foods.
For the first time after discharge from the hospital, you need to limit physical activity. You will need to wear a big toe brace for several weeks if you have a fracture. It provides rest to the injured finger and serves as prevention of recurrence of the fracture. You can purchase a big toe brace for a fracture in orthopedic stores.
After complete healing and restoration of limb function, one should not forget that a person will need the right shoes if the big toe is broken. It should be as comfortable and stable as possible.
An injury such as a broken big toe heals quite well and complications rarely occur. The prognosis will be favorable with timely diagnosis, quality treatment and full implementation of rehabilitation measures.