How do you treat a displaced toe fracture?

How do you treat a displaced toe fracture?

Stable, nondisplaced toe fractures should be treated with buddy taping and a rigid-sole shoe to limit joint movement. Displaced fractures of the lesser toes should be treated with reduction and buddy taping. Patients with displaced fractures of the first toe often require referral for stabilization of the reduction.

Does a displaced toe fracture need surgery?

For more severe displaced fractures, a doctor may need to put the bones back in their proper place for healing. This is usually done with numbing medicine to decrease pain. Surgery. For more serious toe fractures, surgery may be needed.

How is a displaced metatarsal fracture treated?

Treatment of metatarsal fractures depends on the type and extent of the fracture and may include:

1. Rest. Sometimes rest is the only treatment needed to promote healing of a stress or traumatic fracture of a metatarsal bone.
2. Avoid the offending activity.
3. Immobilization, casting or rigid shoe.
4. Surgery.
5. Follow-up care.

Can a displaced fracture heal without surgery?

Displaced fracture – The bone fragments on each side of the break aren’t aligned, which may require surgery for complete healing. Comminuted fracture – The bone is broken into pieces, which may require surgery for complete healing.

How long does it take for a displaced toe fracture to heal?

The healing time for broken toes usually takes about six weeks to heal. If problems last longer than six weeks, another X-ray may be needed, or the injury should be rechecked by the doctor to evaluate how the bone is healing.

Can a displaced toe fracture heal on its own?

Most broken toes will heal on their own with proper care at home. It can take 4 to 6 weeks for complete healing. Most pain and swelling will go away within a few days to a week. If something was dropped on the toe, the area under the toenail can bruise.

What is displaced fracture of fifth metatarsal bone?

A fifth metatarsal fracture is a break located in the long, laterally located tubular bone of the forefoot that is attached to the small toe. Fractures of this bone can occur due to direct injury to the outside of the foot or can occur over time.

How do you stabilize a broken pinky toe?

This treatment is called buddy taping.

1. Put a small piece of cotton or gauze between the toes that are taped together.
2. Using as little tape as necessary, loosely tape the broken toe to the toe next to it.
3. If the toes are taped too tightly it can cause additional swelling and may cut off circulation to the injured toe.

What can be done for a broken pinky toe?

For a simple break, your doctor may splint your pinky to your fourth toe to keep it in place while it heals. If the break is serious, surgery may be necessary to reset the bone. Your doctor will likely recommend over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications, rest, and home care.

What to do with a displaced toe fracture?

Displaced fractures of the lesser toes should be treated with reduction and buddy taping. Patients with displaced fractures of the first toe often require referral for stabilization of the reduction. Toe fractures are one of the most common fractures diagnosed by primary care physicians.

When to consider fixation of a fifth metatarsal fracture?

Avulsion fractures of the base of the fifth metatarsal that are displaced greater than three millimetres or comminuted should be reduced and operatively fixed. Fracture reduction and fixation should be considered if the fracture fragment involves more than 30% of the cubometatarsal joint.

How big is the displacement of a foot fracture?

Displacement > 3 mm; step-off > 1 to 2 mm on the cuboid articular surface; fracture fragment that includes > 60% of the metatarsal-cuboid joint surface

How are toe fractures different from other fractures?

Fractures of the lesser toes are four times as common as fractures of the first toe. 3 Most toe fractures are nondisplaced or minimally displaced. Comminution is common, especially with fractures of the distal phalanx. Displaced spiral fractures generally display shortening or rotation, whereas displaced transverse fractures may display angulation.