Fracture of the big toe: symptoms. Do I need a cast for a broken toe?

Fracture of the big toe is a common phenomenon. The phalanges of the limbs are vulnerable to many external influences, and are also subjected to constant pressure of the weight of a person. From the materials of this article, you will find out what symptoms this pathology is accompanied with and how long it takes to treat it.

The structure of the finger joint and its basic functions

Fingers on the legs are an integral part of the motor apparatus in the human body. Together with the foot, they keep the weight of the body, give the opportunity to move, while helping to keep the balance.

Each finger on the leg consists of several small bones, which are otherwise called phalanges. They are interconnected by moving joints, which makes it possible to bend and unbend fingers.

Limbs are a vulnerable part of the human body, which most often undergoes fractures. In most cases, the thumb suffers. He differs from the others in that he only has two phalanges instead of the three. During walking, the thumb experiences the main load. The probability of a fracture increases several times. In case of trauma, blueing and swelling usually spread to the entire foot.

Fracture of the big toe: photos, features

When the finger fractures, there is a disruption of the integrity of the bone tissue. It can be complete and partial, as well as pathological and traumatic. Pathological arise against the background of bone destruction by any diseases. These include the following: a tumor, tuberculosis, osteoporosis, osteomyelitis. All these ailments reduce bone strength and make it fragile. Most often, fractures are obtained as a result of trauma.

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 takes the maximum load when traveling. Next, we will consider the main symptoms of this pathology and the methods of its treatment.

What signs indicate an injury?

Manifestations of a fracture of the thumb on the leg can be relative and absolute. In the first case, one can only assume the presence of trauma. With absolute symptoms, there is no doubt.

Among the relative signs of injury include:

• Acute pain;
• The damaged area swells;
• The limb function is violated;
• Does not exclude the possibility of hemorrhage under the nail;
• There is pain when you move your finger.

The intensity of manifestation of relative symptoms directly depends on the localization of the fracture. The clinical picture is particularly pronounced when the main phalanx is injured, which is reported directly to the bones of the foot.

The leg swells quickly and becomes bluish. The painful discomfort that accompanies this pathology usually does not allow the victim to fully rely on the limb. Often an open fracture of the big toe is complicated due to damage to the skin and infection. In this case, the person has obvious signs of intoxication of the body.

The difference between a fracture and a bruise

With a strong contusion, the clinical picture can be the same as in a fracture. One can distinguish one pathology from another by absolute signs:

• Unnatural position of the foot;
• Abnormal mobility is observed in the region of the fracture;
• Characteristic sound when pressed, like a crunch.

These signs indicate a fracture of the big toe. Symptoms of injury should be alerted and become a reason for treatment in the hospital.

What kinds of fractures are found?

To determine the most effective treatment regimen, it is important to determine the type of injury. If the skin is damaged, when the wound and the bone itself are visible, it is an open fracture. In this case, the threat of infection of the affected area increases, so the doctor's help is required immediately. After applying an aseptic bandage, the injured person should be immediately taken to the trauma clinic.

Closed fracture of the big toe is characterized by the absence of visible damage. There are no special difficulties in treatment.

Displacement is usually observed when the force is applied to the bone, which provoked an injury. Often, patients get pinched by nerves, vessels, or muscles. To restore the full anatomical shape of the finger, you need to match the fragments. When fracturing the bone and penetrating the fragments into the wound, the fracture is called comminuted.

First aid for fracture

When injuring the toe, the victim should be helped in the first minutes, before the arrival of doctors. From this directly depends on the further fusion of the bone. The patient must ensure complete rest, try not to disturb the damaged area and exclude the load. An ice or a cold compress should be applied to the site of the fracture. To ease the pain and reduce swelling, you can slightly raise your leg.

An open fracture of the big toe requires only the disinfection of the wound and the application of the bandage. The victim can also be given an anesthetic ("Ibufen", "Aspirin", "Ketanov"). These drugs are in every home medicine cabinet.

Diagnostic measures

Often, injuries and mechanical injuries of the limbs are asymptomatic, for example, when talking about a fracture without displacement. In such cases, a person usually ignores the pain and does not pay enough attention to it because of the fact that he does not suspect damage.

Sometimes the victims are simply lazy to seek qualified help and undergo an appropriate examination. The consequences of this disregard for one's own health can be serious complications (bone deformation, osteomyelitis, wrong fusion).

In addition to the trauma symptoms mentioned in the materials of this article, radiographs of the foot in two projections are of great importance in diagnosis. With the help of this study, it is possible to recognize with an accuracy of 99% a fracture of the big toe. Radiography allows you to determine the exact location of damage, which ultimately affects the quality of therapy.

More complex methods of visualization of trauma (computed tomography) are practically not used, because they are not necessary, and the cost of such studies is quite high.

Tactics of fracture treatment

The doctor chooses the specific treatment option based on the nature of the injury. With an open fracture, there is a risk of infection of the wound. Pathology is often accompanied by suppuration and tetanus. Such patients are injected with antibiotics and injected with tetanus toxoid serum.

A closed variant of the injury requires repositioning the bone, that is, returning the fragments to its anatomical location. Fracture with a shift of the big toe requires the installation of the splint in place and its correct fixation. Otherwise, the adhesion may occur incorrectly.

When intra-articular fracture requires surgical intervention. During the operation, the doctor makes an open reposition of the wreckage and performs intraarticular fixation by means of special spokes. The mobility of the affected joint is restored approximately to the eighth week. Throughout the treatment period the body is recommended to support vitamin therapy.

Fracture of the big toe: do I need a cast?

Even in ancient times, people believed that the sick body needs complete rest for recovery. Not an exception and a bone. Its main function is to create a support for the muscles. With fractures, a complete restraint of the bone can be considered a kind of equivalent rest. Immobilization allows to accelerate and direct in the necessary channel the process of regeneration of the damaged area.

The patient is put bandage bandages, which are pre-wetted in gypsum solution. When superimposed on a limb, they take its shape and remain until complete recovery. The cast is usually applied not only to the injured finger, but also to the foot and part of the shin. High immobilization is not entirely justified, since it seriously limits the mobility of the leg. On the other hand, to ensure peace of the finger, it is necessary to immobilize the entire foot, and this is possible only with the aid of a cast sapling.

Sometimes immobilization is not required for patients diagnosed with a "toe fracture". Without gypsum are treated with bone cracks, which heal independently. Also in the category of exceptions fall the first few days after surgical manipulation on the limb with a fracture of the finger, when the trauma is a secondary pathology. In this case, there is a need for regular monitoring of the wound healing process. When signs of successful recovery begin to manifest, a plaster is immediately applied to the leg.

Rehabilitation after fracture

Within six weeks after the injury, you must protect the damaged finger from the load and try not to overexert it. Contraindicated long walks, playing sports.

The rehabilitation period includes physiotherapy, special gymnastics and therapeutic massage. It is recommended to diversify the diet with products rich in protein and calcium.

Some patients complain of unpleasant sensations with prolonged wearing of gypsum. Such a condition must be simply endured, so that the bones will fade properly. Gypsum in case of a fracture of the big toe can not be wetted or try to remove it on your own.

Prevention

To avoid fractures of the toes, doctors are advised to wear comfortable shoes with a firm sole. Also, it is necessary to exclude from the diet products that "wash away" calcium from the body. These include sweet carbonated water, coffee and alcoholic beverages. The food should be as balanced as possible. Particular attention should be paid to products containing calcium (beans, cabbage, carrots, rye bread). In the case of pathologies of bone tissue, it is recommended to undergo a regular examination. Such simple preventive measures can prevent fractures, significantly improve the quality of life and remain healthy at the same time.