A fracture of the big toe is a common occurrence. The phalanges of the limbs are vulnerable to many external influences, and are also subjected to constant pressure of a person's weight. From the materials in this article you will find out what symptoms this pathology is accompanied by and how much time is required for its treatment.
The structure of the finger joint and its main functions
Toes are an integral part of the motor apparatus in the human body. Together with the foot, they hold the weight of the body, make it possible to move, while helping to maintain balance.
Each toe consists of several small bones, which are also called phalanges. They are interconnected by movable joints, which makes it possible to bend and extend the fingers.
Extremities - This is the vulnerable part of the human body, which most often undergoes fractures. In most cases, the thumb suffers. It differs from the rest in that it has only two phalanges instead of the put three. While walking, the thumb is under the main load. The likelihood of a fracture increases several times. When injured, the blueness and swelling usually spread to the entire foot.
Fracture of the big toe: photos, features
When a finger fractures, there is a violation of the unity of bone tissue. It can be complete and partial, as well as pathological and traumatic. Pathological occur against the background of bone destruction by any disease. These include the following: tumor, tuberculosis, osteoporosis, osteomyelitis. All these ailments reduce bone strength and make it brittle. Most often, fractures resulting from trauma are found.
A fracture of the big toe has some features. Pathology is accompanied by a characteristic clinical picture. At the same time, this finger is the largest, so it has the maximum load when moving. Next, we will consider the main symptoms of this pathology and methods of its treatment.
What signs indicate injury?
Manifestations of a fracture of the big toe can be relative and absolute. In the first case, one can only assume the presence of injury. With absolute symptoms, there is no doubt.
The relative signs of injury include:
- acute pain;
- the damaged area swells;
- limb function is impaired;
- the possibility of hemorrhage under the nail is not excluded;
- there is soreness with finger movements.
The intensity of the manifestation of relative symptoms directly depends on the location of the fracture. The clinical picture is especially pronounced when the main phalanx is injured, which communicates directly with the bones of the foot.
The leg quickly swells and acquires a bluish tint. The painful discomfort that accompanies this pathology usually does not allow the victim to fully lean on the limb. Often an open fracture of the big toe is complicated due to damage to the skin and the penetration of infection. In this case, a person has obvious signs of intoxication.
The difference between a fracture and a bruise
With severe injury, the clinical picture may be the same as with a fracture. You can distinguish one pathology from another by absolute signs:
- unnatural position of the foot;
- abnormal mobility is observed in the fracture area;
- a characteristic sound when pressed, similar to a crunch.
These signs indicate a fracture of the big toe. Symptoms of injury should alert and become a reason for going to the hospital.
What types of fractures are there?
To determine the most effective treatment regimen, it is important to determine the type of injury. In case of damage to the skin, when the wound and the bone itself are visible, we are talking about an open fracture. In this case, the risk of infection of the affected area increases, so the help of a doctor is required immediately. By applying an aseptic dressing, the victim must be immediately taken to a traumatologist.
Closed fracture of the big toe is characterized by the absence of visible damage. There are no special difficulties in the treatment.
Displacement is usually observed when a force is applied to the bone that triggered the injury. Often, patients get pinched nerves, blood vessels, or muscles. To restore the full anatomical shape of the finger, fragments must be matched. When the bone is crushed and the fragments penetrate the wound, the fracture is called comminuted.
First aid for a fracture
If a toe is injured, the victim should be assisted in the first minutes, even before the doctors arrive. Further bone fusion directly depends on this. The patient needs to ensure complete peace, try not to disturb the damaged area and exclude stress. Ice or a cold compress should be applied to the fracture site. To ease the pain and reduce swelling, you can slightly raise the leg.
An open fracture of the big toe requires only disinfection of the wound and dressing. Also, the victim can be given an anesthetic (Ibufen, Aspirin, Ketanov). These drugs are in every home medicine cabinet.
Diagnostic measures
Often injuries and mechanical damage to the limbs are asymptomatic, for example, when talking about a fracture without displacement. In such cases, the person usually ignores the pain and does not pay enough attention to it because it does not suspect damage.
Sometimes victims are simply too lazy to seek qualified help and undergo an appropriate examination. Serious complications (bone deformation, osteomyelitis, abnormal fusion) can result in this neglect of one's own health.
In addition to the symptoms of injury mentioned in the materials of this article, radiography of the foot in two projections is of great importance in the diagnosis. With this study, a fracture of the big toe can be recognized with an accuracy of 99%. Radiography allows you to determine the exact location of the damage, which ultimately affects the quality of therapy.
More sophisticated methods of visualizing trauma (computed tomography) are practically not used, since they are not necessary, and the cost of such studies is quite high.
Fracture Treatment Tactics
The specific treatment option is chosen by the doctor based on the nature of the injury. With an open fracture, there is a risk of wound infection. Pathology is often accompanied by suppuration and tetanus. These patients are given antibiotic injections and tetanus toxoid is administered .
The closed version of the trauma needs bone reposition, that is, the return of the debris to its anatomical location. Fracture with the displacement of the big toe requires the installation of the fragment into place and its correct fixation. Otherwise, the fusion may occur incorrectly.
An intraarticular fracture requires surgical intervention. During the operation, the doctor makes an open reposition of the debris and performs intra-articular fixation using special knitting needles. The mobility of the affected joint is restored by approximately the eighth week. Throughout the entire period of treatment, the body is recommended to support vitamin therapy.
Big Toe Fracture: Does Gypsum Need?
Even in antiquity, people believed that a sick organ needed complete rest to recover. No exception and bone. Its main function is to create support for the muscles. In fractures, a complete immobilization of the bone can be considered a kind of equivalent to rest. Immobilization allows you to speed up and direct the process of regeneration of the damaged area in the right direction.
Bandage dressings are applied to the patient, which are pre-wetted in a gypsum solution. When superimposed on a limb, they take its shape and retain until complete recovery. A plaster cast is usually applied not only to the injured finger, but also to the foot and part of the lower leg. High immobilization is not entirely justified, since it seriously limits the mobility of the leg. On the other hand, to ensure the rest of the finger, it is necessary to immobilize the entire foot, and this is possible only with the plaster cast “boot”.
Sometimes immobilization is not required for patients with a diagnosis of "fracture of the big toe." Without plaster dispensed with bone cracks that heal on their own. Also, the first few days after surgical procedures on the extremities with a fracture of the finger, when the injury is a secondary pathology, fall into the category of exceptions. In this case, there is a need for regular monitoring of the wound healing process. When signs of a successful recovery begin to appear, plaster is immediately applied to the leg.
Rehabilitation after a fracture
Within six weeks after the injury, it is necessary to protect the damaged finger from stress and try not to strain it. Long walks, sports are contraindicated.
The rehabilitation period includes physiotherapy, special gymnastics and therapeutic massage. It is recommended to diversify the diet with foods rich in protein and calcium.
Some patients complain of discomfort during prolonged wearing of plaster. Such a state must simply be endured so that the bones heal correctly. Gypsum with a fracture of the big toe can not be wetted or try to remove it yourself.
Prevention
In order to avoid fractures of toes, doctors advise wearing comfortable shoes with a stable sole. You should also exclude from the diet foods that “wash” calcium from the body. These include sweet soda, coffee and alcohol. Food should be as balanced as possible. Particular attention is recommended to be paid to products containing calcium (beans, cabbage, carrots, rye bread). With bone pathologies, it is recommended to undergo a regular examination. Such simple preventive measures can prevent fractures, significantly improve the quality of life and remain healthy.