Stress fractures often afflict athletes who, for example, too rapidly increase their running mileage. Stress fractures are tiny, hairline breaks that are usually caused by repetitive stress. It is not true that “if you can walk on it, it’s not broken.” Evaluation by a foot and ankle surgeon is always recommended. “Pinpoint pain” (pain at the place of impact) at the time the fracture occurs and perhaps for a few hours later, but often the pain goes away after several hours.Ĭrooked or abnormal appearance of the toe. You may hear a sound at the time of the break. Signs and symptoms of a traumatic fracture include: If the fracture is displaced, the bone is broken in such a way that it has changed in position (dislocated). Traumatic fractures can be displaced or non-displaced. Traumatic fractures (also called acute fractures) are caused by a direct blow or impact, such as seriously stubbing your toe. Fractures can be divided into two categories: traumatic fractures and stress fractures. A foot and ankle surgeon should be seen for proper diagnosis and treatment, even if initial treatment has been received in an emergency room.Ī fracture is a break in the bone. Fractures of the toe and metatarsal bones are common and require evaluation by a specialist. Of the 26 bones in the foot, 19 are toe bones (phalanges) and metatarsal bones (the long bones in the midfoot). Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.The structure of the foot is complex, consisting of bones, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. If you would more information or to schedule a consultation, please call (877) 989-9110 or visit us at The University Foot & Ankle Institute is there to help keep your feet moving in the right direction. The physicians at University Foot and Ankle Institute are nationally recognized experts in the treatment of foot and ankle conditions. This quick x-ray can be very helpful in determining the appropriate course of treatment. Digital x-rays can be performed in our office, allowing for careful evaluation of the bones of the feet. If you have a significant stubbing injury, we recommend you get the toe examined and x-rayed. ![]() So, seeing the fracture pattern on the x-ray helps guide the appropriate treatment. However, based on the angle of the fracture, if you splint it to the 4th toe, it will likely gap the fracture and cause it to heal crooked. For example, with a common oblique fracture of a 3rd toe that is in alignment, if you splint it to the 2nd toe it may heal just fine. ![]() The high majority of toe fractures do not need surgery.Įven buddy splinting needs to be professionally instructed. The fracture pattern determines the right treatment: buddy splinting to an adjacent toe (and the angle of the fracture tells which toe to splint it to), stiff-soled shoe vs boot, if a regular shoe is okay if the toe needs to be reduced (numbed up and manipulated straight and then splinted), etc. Here is a simple diagram (pardon the amateur artwork) of some of these different fracture patterns: The combinations are all frequently seen, and treatment is different for many of these. The wide spectrum of possibilities include the following: a non-displaced hairline crack, a chip fracture, a displaced and angulated fracture with a crooked toe, a break into a joint of the toe, an open fracture that can penetrate through the skin, a transverse unstable fracture, etc. Toe fractures, or broken toes, come in all shapes and sizes. Different types of broken or fractured toes It’s actually quite rare that nothing can or should be done. Most problems can be averted with proper appreciation of exactly what’s wrong, and by subsequently outlining the appropriate course for treating a broken toe. One of the most common things we hear from patients regarding broken toes is something to the effect: “well, we all know there’s nothing you can do for a broken toe…” This frequently used, but faulty, the statement has been ingrained in people’s minds and often puts them on the wrong path to recovery. ![]() They seem to happen most often around the home, walking barefoot, with a stubbing injury (#badwords) against a corner of furniture, door, or wall (who put that wall there?). How many times have you heard the statement: “There’s nothing you can do for a broken toe”? It’s a faulty assertion that deserves some professional clarification.Ī common injury that affects many of us at some time or another is a broken toe.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |