Broken Toe

Friday afternoon, Doug "smashed" hit foot into the door jamb in the bathroom.

 

Traumatic fractures (also called acute fractures) are caused by a direct blow or impact, such as seriously stubbing your toe. Traumatic fractures can be displaced or non-displaced. If the fracture is displaced, the bone is broken in such a way that it has changed in position (dislocated).

 

Signs and symptoms of a traumatic fracture include:

• You may hear a sound at the time of the break.
• “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.
• Crooked or abnormal appearance of the toe.
• Bruising and swelling the next day.
• 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.

Stress fractures are tiny, hairline breaks that are usually caused by repetitive stress. Stress fractures often afflict athletes who, for example, too rapidly increase their running mileage. They can also be caused by an abnormal foot structure, deformities, or osteoporosis. Improper footwear may also lead to stress fractures. Stress fractures should not be ignored. They require proper medical attention to heal correctly.
Symptoms of stress fractures include:

• Pain with or after normal activity
• Pain that goes away when resting and then returns when standing or during activity
• “Pinpoint pain” (pain at the site of the fracture) when touched
• Swelling, but no bruising

Treatment of Toe FracturesFractures of the toe bones are almost always traumatic fractures. Treatment for traumatic fractures depends on the break itself and may include these options:

• Rest. Sometimes rest is all that is needed to treat a traumatic fracture of the toe.
• Splinting. The toe may be fitted with a splint to keep it in a fixed position.
• Rigid or stiff-soled shoe. Wearing a stiff-soled shoe protects the toe and helps keep it properly positioned.
• “Buddy taping” the fractured toe to another toe is sometimes appropriate, but in other cases it may be harmful.
• Surgery. If the break is badly displaced or if the joint is affected, surgery may be necessary. Surgery often involves the use of fixation devices, such as pins.
  
  Day 1 after the injury
  

   

         Day 2 after the injury

        

The color and pain are about the same, luckily he can wear a shoe and his limping is not "too" bad!