Toe Fracture
Description
A fracture is a broken bone. The toes are commonly fractured and in most cases can be easily treated by splinting the toe. If the broken bone punctures the skin (open fracture) antibiotics will be needed to prevent an infection of the bone (osteomyelitis). If there is a loss of alignment with the fracture the bones will be put back in place and splinted. Severe fractures may have an associated tendon, nerve or blood vessel injury.
Symptoms
Pain, swelling, bruising of the skin, a crooked toe, pain with movement, numbness of the toe.
Tests
A history and physical will be done. An xray will confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
Most fractures can be treated by splinting the toe. The common technique for splinting is to "buddy tape" the broken toe next to a healthy toe. Badly fractured toes may need surgery to repair the bones or damaged tendons, nerves or blood vessels. OTC pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve) can be used. Narcotic pain medications may be prescribed as well including: hydocodone and acetaminophen (Vicodin, Lortab), tramadol and acetaminophen (Ultram), or oxycodone and acetaminophen (Endocet, Percocet). If the bone punctures the skin the injury will need to be cleaned very well and antibiotics may be given to prevent an infection.
Related Videos
Share Your Experience
Do you have experience with this disease? Do you or someone
you know suffer from Toe fracture?
Please share you experience with other members of the iTriage community.