In early February, Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman James Wisniewski sustained a break in his pinkie toe. The hockey player decided against taking any time off, and instead adopted a routine of injecting a numbing shot into his foot before each game so that he could continue playing.
“It doesn’t sound like something that would hurt that bad-pinkie toe,” Wisniewski said. “But let me tell you, you don’t know how much you use that little guy until it’s broken. It hurts like hell.” Fortunately, the break the NHL took during the Olympics gave him some time to recover.
A break in even the smallest toe can make walking and standing difficult. If you have a toe injury, consider seeing a podiatrist like Dr. Jeffrey Wachtel of Wachtel Family Foot Care. Dr. Wachtel can evaluate the severity of your problem and answer any questions you might have.
What to Know About a Broken Toe
Although most people try to avoid foot trauma such as banging, stubbing, or dropping heavy objects on their feet, the unfortunate fact is that it is a common occurrence. Given the fact that toes are positioned in front of the feet, they typically sustain the brunt of such trauma. When trauma occurs to a toe, the result can be a painful break (fracture). Another type of trauma that can break a toe is repeated activity that places stress on the toe for prolonged periods of time.
Symptoms of a Broken Toe
- throbbing pain
- swelling
- bruising on the skin and toenail
- the inability to move the toe with ease.
- toe appears crooked or disfigured
- tingling or numbness in the toe
- injured person experiences fever or chills throughout their body, and when there is an open, bleeding wound present on the toe.
Generally, a minor toe break will heal without long-term complications, but it is important to discontinue activities that put pressure on the toe. It is best to stay off of the injured toe with the affected foot elevated on pillows. Swelling can be alleviated by placing an ice pack on the broken toe for 15 minutes every two hours during the first two days after the fracture.
For more information on Broken Toes, please follow the link below.
If you have any questions, please contact one of our offices in Lansdale, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
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