Oh my! Did you hit your toe on a table leg or a door? Or did something heavy fall on your toe? The pain you feel at a time like this doesn't matter, right? So you probably can't even imagine whether this is just a bruise or whether a bone in your toe is actually broken. In fact, most of the time it's hard to tell the difference between the two, and the treatments are very similar. But it's very important that we know exactly about this.
Simply put, a broken toe is a bone in a toe. You know, there are two bones in our big toe and three bones in each of our other four toes. This is the bone that can break in an accident like this.
What are the symptoms of a broken finger?
If you break a toe, you will likely experience one or more of these symptoms:
- Severe pain and tenderness when touching the finger.
- Severe pain when walking, especially when putting weight on that leg.
- The finger is red and blue/purple (like a bruise).
- Stiffness in the finger and difficulty in bending and extending it.
- The one that is very swollen .
When should I see a doctor?
If you think you have a broken finger, the best thing to do is to see a doctor. While most of the time you can treat it at home, some fractures can lead to serious conditions like infection and, later, arthritis.
In serious cases like the ones below, you should definitely see a doctor .
| Opportunity | Why is it serious? |
|---|---|
| If your big toe is injured. | Since the big toe is very important for supporting the body's weight when walking, a fracture should be treated properly until it heals. |
| If a broken bone has broken through the skin (an open wound). | This can cause germs to enter the bone and cause a serious infection (bone infection). |
| If the finger is stretched and twisted into a different shape . | It means that the bone has slipped out of place. You need a doctor's help to put it back in place. |
| Call your doctor if you have these symptoms: | |
| If you have a disease like Diabetes Mellitus . | Diabetes can cause poor nerve and blood circulation in the feet, making it more likely that wounds will heal slowly and infections will develop. |
| If you have a fever or chills . | This could be a sign of an infection. |
| If the pain is getting worse or does not subside even after taking painkillers. | The breakup can be serious. |
| If your finger feels tingly or cold . | The blood supply may be impaired. |
| If there is severe pain and blood under the nail. | This blood may need to be removed. |
| If the swelling, bruising, or redness does not go away within a few days. | There may be a problem with the healing process. |
Doctor, how do you know if this is a rupture?
When you see a doctor, he will first ask you how it happened, what your symptoms are. Then he will examine your finger. He will also check things like nerve function and blood supply to your finger.
Often, if a bone is suspected to be broken, an X-ray is ordered to confirm the diagnosis . An X-ray can show exactly where the bone is broken, and how it is broken.
What is the treatment for a broken finger?
Treatment depends on the location of the fracture and its severity.
Most common treatments
In most cases, you can be told what to do at home, prescribed pain medication, and sent home.
- Buddy Taping: This is the most common method. It involves taping your broken finger to the healthy finger next to it. The healthy finger acts like a small splint. However, you should place a piece of cotton between the two fingers to prevent any damage to the skin.
- Special shoes: Your doctor may recommend that you wear a special shoe with a thick sole and a fabric upper. This will help reduce bending of the toe and allow for swelling.
Treatment for serious fractures
- Putting the bone back in place: Sometimes, if the bone is completely broken and out of place, the doctor will have to put it back in place. Don't worry, this is done by numbing your finger. This is not surgery.
- Cast: If the bone fragments do not remain in place after being put back in place, you may need to apply a small cast.
- Surgery: In very serious fractures, surgery may be necessary to insert pins or screws to hold the bone fragments together.
- Other treatments: If there is an open wound, you may be given antibiotics and a tetanus shot. If there is blood under the nail, it may need to be removed.
Things you can do at home
Doing these things in the first few days or weeks will help you a lot.
- Elevate your leg: Whether you're sitting in a chair or lying down in bed, keep your leg elevated, like a pillow. If possible, keep it above the level of your heart. This will reduce swelling and pain.
- Apply ice: For the first 24 hours, apply ice for about 20 minutes for every hour you are awake. Then apply it two or three times a day. Never apply ice directly to the skin. Wrap it in a towel.
- Rest: Stay away from activities that cause pain almost completely.
- Painkillers: If necessary, talk to your doctor and take a painkiller (e.g., Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, Naproxen) that he or she recommends.
- Wear shoes with thick soles: These reduce the bending of the toe, which can reduce pain.
How long does it take to heal?
Most of the time, a broken finger heals within 4-6 weeks, but a serious fracture can take up to 8 weeks.
It is very important to stay away from sports, running, and jumping until the doctor says, "Okay, you can do it now." If you rush, you could injure your finger again.
During the healing period, avoid wearing high heels or shoes that pinch your toes. Once you can walk in regular shoes without pain, you can gradually resume your normal activities. At first, you may feel a little stiffness in your toes and a little pain. But this will gradually go away.
Take-Home Message
- Most of the time, a broken finger heals well with simple home treatments.
- Buddy taping is a great way to protect a broken finger until it heals.
- If your finger is sprained, the bone is protruding through the skin, or you have a medical condition like diabetes, see a doctor immediately.
- If the pain and swelling are getting worse, don't ignore it.
- Take the rest your doctor gives you and stay away from heavy work until he tells you to.
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