The little finger is the smallest toe of the foot, which is located on the outer side and which can be injured when tripping, falling, being crushed by an object or hitting something. A fractured little finger is swollen, bruised, and sore when walking. In most cases, the trauma resolves spontaneously within six weeks and does not require immediate medical attention, other than an examination to make sure it is not a serious injury. If you see the bone that has pierced the skin or your finger is pointing in the wrong direction, you need to go to the emergency room immediately.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Immediate Treatments
Step 1. Remove shoe and sock if necessary
It is very important to be able to treat the fracture within the first 24 hours to prevent it from becoming infected or swollen too much. Remove any constricting elements on the finger, such as the shoe and the sock.
Once the finger is visible, observe it to make sure that the bone does not protrude from the skin; look at it carefully to verify that it is still facing the correct direction, despite the fracture, that it is not bluish and numb to touch; all these criteria assure you that you can treat your fracture at home without risk
Step 2. Raise the affected leg above waist height
Sit on a comfortable and stable surface and put your foot on a pile of pillows or a chair; this measure helps to reduce swelling.
- Lifting the affected leg also helps relieve pain.
- You should try to keep her in this position as much as possible, even after the first 24 hours; rest and elevation contribute to healing. If you feel cold, place a light blanket over your foot, arranging it as if it were a curtain, so as to exert minimal pressure on the broken toe.
Step 3. Apply ice for 10-20 minutes
During the first 24 hours, ice is useful for reducing swelling and pain; wrap the compress in a towel and place it directly on your finger for 20 minutes every hour.
- You can also wrap a bag of frozen peas or corn in the towel and use it as a compress.
- Do not hold ice for more than 20 minutes at a time and never apply it in direct contact with the skin, otherwise it can cause further damage.
Step 4. Take pain relievers
Ibuprofen (Brufen, Moment), acetaminophen (Tachipirina) or naproxen (Momendol) are effective for managing pain; follow the instructions in the leaflet regarding the dosage.
- Children and teens under the age of 18 should not take aspirin.
- If you have high blood pressure, diabetes or other blood-related problems (such as ulcers) you should not take painkillers.
Part 2 of 3: Homemade Care
Step 1. Secure the little finger to the fourth finger using tape
After the first 24 hours have passed, if you have lifted your foot and applied the ice correctly, the swelling should begin to subside. At this point, you can bandage the injured finger with the adjacent one to try to stabilize it.
- Place a cotton ball between your two fingers, bandage your little finger with medical tape, and then run the bandage around your fourth finger. Make sure the tape is snug, but doesn't block circulation; it must be tight enough to support the fractured finger.
- Change the wadding once a day and wrap your fingers together again to keep the area clean and stable.
Step 2. Don't wear shoes or just use open toe shoes
Do this until the swelling goes away and the finger starts to heal. once the edema is reduced, you can go back to putting on shoes with a sturdy and comfortable footbed to protect the toe.
Step 3. Start walking again when the little finger starts to heal
If you are wearing comfortable footwear that does not irritate the fractured toe, you can try walking a little. Go slowly and only take short trips each time, to avoid stressing or putting too much pressure on the recovering finger. it is likely to be sore or stiff when you walk, but that discomfort should subside once it begins to strengthen and relax a little.
- After the walk, always check him to see if he is swollen or irritated; if so, put ice on for 20 minutes every hour and keep your foot elevated.
- Most toe fractures heal with appropriate treatment within 4 to 8 weeks.
Part 3 of 3: Medical Care
Step 1. See your doctor if the injury looks severe or causes a lot of pain
If your finger is numb for a long time or you feel a continuous tingling, go to the doctor's office immediately. You must be examined even if the broken bone is at an abnormal angle, there is an open wound on the finger, or there is bleeding.
Seek medical attention even if the finger does not heal properly within a week or two and continues to be very swollen and sore
Step 2. Let the doctor examine it
He may also prescribe an x-ray to check if it is actually broken; he could then numb it with a local anesthetic and realign the bone by manipulating it through the skin.
If there is blood trapped under the nail, the doctor can drain it by making a small hole or removing the nail completely
Step 3. Consider surgery if the injury is severe
Depending on the situation, it may be necessary to proceed with surgery; Sometimes the surgeon has to insert special pins or screws to hold the bone in place during healing.
It may also be helpful to support the little finger with a brace, as well as use crutches while walking, to avoid putting pressure on the finger and giving it plenty of time to heal
Step 4. Take antibiotics if needed
If the bone has perforated the skin (in this case we speak of an open fracture), there is a serious risk of infection; you need to clean the wound regularly and take prescribed antibiotics to prevent complications.
