Do you feel like a toe is broken, but you're not sure? A toe fracture is a fairly common injury, usually caused by an object falling on top of it, an accident, or a violent impact between the toe and a hard surface. Most of these types of fractures heal on their own without requiring special treatment, but in some cases it may be necessary to go to the emergency room. It is therefore important to understand the extent of the injury and establish whether the bone is fractured, so as to assess whether it is appropriate to go to the hospital.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Examine the Finger
Step 1. Evaluate the intensity of the pain
If your finger is fractured, you feel pain when you put weight on it or when you press it. You will likely still be able to walk, but movement can aggravate the situation. Feeling stinging doesn't necessarily mean your finger is broken, but persistent pain can be a sign of a compound or displaced fracture.
- If you feel excruciating pain while placing your weight on your toes, it is probably a bad fracture. In this case, it is advisable to go to the emergency room. Minor ones aren't that painful and you may not need medical attention.
- If you feel tingling in addition to the pain, then your finger may have had a displaced rather than a compound fracture.
Step 2. Examine the size of the finger
It's swollen? This is a typical sign of a fracture. If you have simply hit your finger or placed it badly, you may feel it throbbing for a while but the pain should disappear in a short time without causing swelling; but if the finger is broken, it will definitely swell.
Put the injured toe next to its healthy counterpart on the other foot. If the injured one looks much larger than the uninjured one, it could be fractured
Step 3. Look at the shape of the finger
When you compare the injured one with its healthy counterpart, does it seem unnaturally deformed or as if it were detached from the joint? In this case it is likely that you have a severe displaced fracture and you should go to the hospital immediately. If there is a compound fracture, the shape of the finger does not change.
Step 4. Check if your finger changes color
Fractured fingers, unlike those that have only suffered a hard blow, usually become bruised and the color of the skin may change. The toe may appear red, yellow, blue, or black; it could also bleed. These are all signs of a fracture.
If you notice that the finger bone has perforated the skin, it is definitely broken, since it is an open fracture; in this case, do not delay and go to the emergency room immediately
Step 5. Tap your finger
If you can feel the bone moving under the skin or notice abnormal movements (as well as feeling very strong pain!) Then it is very likely that the finger is broken.
Step 6. Know when to see a doctor
If the pain, bruising, and swelling persist for more than a couple of days, then call your doctor. You will likely need to have an x-ray to ascertain the fracture. In many cases, your doctor will instruct you not to put pressure on your finger and wait for it to heal. However, in the event of severe fractures, treatment may be required.
- If the pain is severe enough to prevent you from walking, see the emergency room immediately.
- If you have the impression that the finger is pointing in an unnatural direction or that it has a strange shape, go to the hospital.
- Go to the emergency room if your finger is cold, you feel tingling or turns blue due to the interruption of blood circulation.
Part 2 of 2: Taking Care of the Broken Finger
Step 1. If you can't go to the emergency room right away, do ice packs
Fill a plastic bag (such as those used to freeze food) with ice cubes, wrap it in a cloth and place it on the injured finger. Repeat this process at 20-minute intervals until you can be examined. Ice helps reduce swelling and stabilize the finger; keep your foot raised as high as you can and don't put your weight on it as you walk.
Do not keep the ice pack for more than 20 minutes, as it could cause skin lesions
Step 2. Follow your doctor's instructions
During the visit you will be subjected to an x-ray and you will be given directions to treat your finger. In some cases it may be necessary to perform a bone realignment maneuver. In really serious situations, surgery can be done to replace the bone.
Step 3. Rest your finger
Do not do any activities that could cause further damage and avoid all situations that could put extra strain on your finger. You can take a few light walks, swim, or cycle, but don't run or play contact sports for several weeks. Rest your finger for as long as your doctor tells you to.
- When at home, lift your foot to reduce swelling.
- After a few weeks, during which the finger heals, you can start using it again, but without overdoing it. If you feel pain or discomfort, step back and let your foot rest again.
Step 4. Change the bandage if needed
Most toe fractures do not require any cast; the doctor, however, can teach you to "bandage the injured finger with the neighboring one" so that the latter provides some support. This will prevent excessive movement of the broken finger and any other damage. Ask the doctor or nurse to show you how to correctly change the medical adhesive tape or bandage to keep the area clean.
- If you lose the feeling of the bandaged fingers or notice that they have changed color, then the tape is too tight. Remove it immediately and ask your doctor for advice to reapply it.
- Diabetic patients should not go through this procedure, but buy specific orthopedic insoles to use as directed by the doctor.
Step 5. Treat severe fractures according to your doctor's instructions
If the injury is severe enough to require a cast, brace, or special shoes, then you will need to rest completely for 6 to 8 weeks. Fractures that require surgery require longer recovery times. You will likely have to go to the doctor's office several times during the healing process.
