Did you know your foot has 26 bones, 33 joints, over 100 tendons, muscles, and ligaments, and 250,000 sweat glands? That may appear to be a lot of anatomy in a small package, but keep in mind that your feet are in charge of supporting the complete body. And, as we all know, it’s difficult to focus on anything when your feet hurt, yet they’re surprisingly prone to injury.
One of the most common problems is a broken big toe. A patient who has a fracture usually has severe pain at the site of the injury. There is usually also a lot of swelling and bruising seen, and you are usually not able to move that part of the body due to pain. The affected body part may also be floppy, with the injured portion appearing out of shape as compared to the other uninjured side.
If you suspect you have a broken big toe, it’s important to seek medical attention right away.
Here we’ll provide an overview of how to treat your broken big toe using a non-surgical method. This treatment involves immobilizing the toe with a splint or cast and then following up with the orthopedic to regain strength and range of motion.
During this session, the doctor will inquire about how the accident occurred., when it happened, and any other symptoms you may be experiencing. This information will help the doctor determine the best way to treat your broken big toe.
In most cases, a broken big toe can be treated without surgery. Treatment options may include using a splint or cast to keep the bone in place, taking pain medication, and elevating the foot. It is important to follow the doctor’s instructions carefully to ensure a quick and successful recovery.
Here are the Non-Surgical Method To Treat Your Broken Big Toe
- Buddy videotaping. If you suffer a simple fracture in one of your smaller toes, your doctor may tape it to the toe next to it. The unharmed toe serves as a splint. To avoid skin discomfort, always place some gauze or felt between your toes before taping them together.
- Stiff-soled shoe. Your doctor may recommend a post-surgical shoe with a rigid bottom and a soft top that closes with fabric fastener strips. This will keep your toe from flexing and will give you more room to tolerate the swelling.
- Casting. A walking cast may be required if the shards of your broken toe do not fit securely together.
The cast is changed to a full cast around a week after the accident for individuals who are suitable for non-operative care. The fracture is subsequently monitored for healing, with most upper-limb fractures requiring 4-6 weeks in a cast and most lower-limb fractures requiring 6-8 weeks.
Home remedies and Lifestyle
Elevation and ice might aid with edema and pain relief. When feasible, elevate your foot so that your injury is higher than your heart. If you use ice, wrap it in a towel so it doesn’t come into direct contact with your skin, and only apply it for about 15 minutes at a time, with at least a 20-minute rest in between icing sessions.
Getting ready for your appointment
While you should contact your primary care physician first, he or she may recommend you to an orthopedic doctor.
You might want to make a list that includes the following items:
- Your symptoms should be described in detail.
- A brief description of how the injury occurred
- Information about any other medical issues you’ve experienced.
- Questions you’d like to ask the doctor about your meds and dietary supplements
What to anticipate from your orthopeadic doctor?
Some of the following questions may be posed by your doctor:
- What caused this injury?
- Were you wearing bare feet at the time?
- Where exactly does it hurt?
- Is it possible that more than one toe is involved?
- Do any specific foot movements make your injury feel better or worse?
We hope you found this information helpful and that you are now on your way to healing your big toe without any extra pain or hassle. If you have any questions or need help finding the right Orthopaedic doctor for you in Singapore, we recommend visiting The Orthopaedic & Pain Practice clinic. They can help relieve your pain and restore motion to your life. Click here to contact them