Dislocated toe: symptoms, treatment, how to set it

The toes are endowed with a high concentration of nerve endings, and therefore, in case of any injury, the brain immediately receives a corresponding impulse. A sprained toe is a common injury not only among athletes. Each of us is at risk of getting such an injury in everyday life - just a careless movement is enough.

Dislocation is accompanied by damage to tendons, ligaments, muscles, skin and soft tissues. Combined injury in the form of bruise and dislocation is considered the most common. A sprained big toe occurs at almost the same rate as a sprained little toe.

Causes and provoking factors

A dislocated toe is not a common occurrence, since the foot has a well-developed ligamentous apparatus. But the consequences of injury lead to a deterioration in a person’s quality of life; it becomes difficult for him to move until the symptoms completely disappear.

Causes of the disease:

sudden movements of the foot, hitting the corner of furniture;
sports injuries during competitions or intense training;
compression of a joint, falling of a heavy object;
jump from a height landing on the foot;
childhood due to underdeveloped ligamentous and muscular apparatus of the foot.

Diagnostics

When making a diagnosis, the doctor must know the picture of the injury that occurred. The more accurately the circumstances are restored, the more accurately he will be able to understand in which direction the force that damaged the leg joint was directed. These current circumstances are important, since treatment involves setting the joint back. To insert bones and tissues into their original place, it is necessary to apply a mechanical force that will be opposite to the vector that caused the dislocation. Only after this procedure do the rest of the full treatment begin.

It is important to understand that there are also cases in which it is impossible to restore joints to the state before the injury occurred. This can be facilitated not only by serious and severe injuries, which can cause serious deformation of ligaments and tissues. Constantly engaging in traumatic activities also applies to this. For example, if an athlete is a professional athlete, his foot is exposed to severe impacts every day. For this reason, the phalanges are destroyed over time - this will be a chronic disease.

Classification of dislocations and sprains

It is customary to divide injuries according to several factors:

Time when damage occurred:

fresh – up to three days;
stale – injury received more than 10-14 days ago;
old – more than 15 days have passed since receipt.

Localization:

on the sole;
rear;
lateral.

Severity:

complete dislocation - characterized by rupture of the ligaments and joint capsule;
incomplete injury – partial injury (subluxation).

Also, finger dislocations can be habitual, occurring several times in the same place, or pathological, associated with the addition of a disease.

Traditional methods

However, if closed reduction fails or if the sprain becomes chronic, surgery is required.

Traditional medicine also has some methods that can effectively relieve the pain associated with a sprain.

However, before using any of these methods, consultation with a traumatologist is necessary.

Fresh wormwood leaves can relieve pain. The leaves should be grated, then placed on the sore spot and secured with a bandage. This method relieves pain more effectively than any ointment.

A compress based on a decoction of tansa and burdock also helps. The compress not only relieves pain, but also helps to restore the joint faster.

Even after a dislocation, the patient will feel pain for some time. A decoction made from cornflower flowers will help relieve discomfort.

A traditional medicine made from sugar and onions relieves pain. To prepare the medicine, grate the onion on a fine grater, then add sugar (in a ratio of 1:10) to the resulting porridge and mix everything well. Relief comes very quickly.

Signs

Symptoms of dislocated toes are characterized by:

Severe pain at the time of injury and after it. The pain may not stop after taking analgesics and at rest. Finger movements are unpleasant and almost impossible.
The injured joint is visually deformed, swollen and acquires a bluish coloration.
The patient cannot step on the foot; walking is possible with the help of support.

A dislocated big toe is characterized by severe pain, displacement of the phalanx to the side, rupture of ligaments and damage to soft tissues. A hematoma and swelling form at the site of injury, finger movement is difficult or absent.

Dislocation of the little toe is a fairly rare occurrence and occurs as a result of a blow to a blunt object. Symptoms are accompanied by moderate pain and the inability to straighten or bend the finger. Sometimes there is pallor of the skin and numbness in the injured area.

Dislocated toe: diagnostic methods

The injury is diagnosed based on a visual examination of the patient and, of course, a mandatory x-ray.

A common pathology is dislocation of the phalanx of the big toe. This is due to the fact that this finger has the greatest load and freedom of movement in the joint.

In second place is a dislocation of the phalanx of the ring finger. But the third toe is very rarely dislocated, which is explained by its protection due to its central location.

Most often, patients come to the trauma center with their toes dislocated backwards or to the side. However, dislocations on the plantar side are rare because the plantar region has a strong incisal ligament.

We emphasize that a sprain and finger position should be treated by a doctor until swelling develops. Once a swelling has formed, it is difficult to replace the damaged phalanx.

First aid

Includes a sequence of actions:

Immobilization of the injury site using available means.
Apply a cold compress to the injury site or place the foot under cold water for no more than 10 minutes.
Elevate the foot to reduce swelling and reduce blood flow.
Take the victim to the emergency room or the nearest medical facility. institution.

You should not try to treat the joint yourself. These actions can cause even more harm and lead to the development of complications or painful shock.

Sprained toe: first aid

If a patient experiences symptoms of a dislocation, provide first aid to the patient before contacting a doctor. Do not treat or move the injured finger yourself, as this can cause serious complications.

First aid consists of the following steps:

Apply an ice cube or a cold object to the injured finger - the cold will relieve swelling and pain and prevent the formation of a hematoma.
Before your trauma surgeon can determine what is sprained in your foot and recommend treatment, you will need to apply a tight bandage to your foot to keep the toe immobile. When applying the bandage, the injured toe should be attached to four other toes.

If the pain is unbearable, you can take a pain reliever.

Trauma therapy

Treatment for a dislocated toe involves several steps.

Reduction procedure

Correction of abnormal joint position is performed in a hospital setting under local anesthesia. The doctor adjusts the dislocation under X-ray control using pressure until the joint capsule returns to its original shape.

In case of severe injuries or old injuries, a pin is inserted through the distal phalanx, which extends the damaged finger.

After completion of the procedure, a bandage of adhesive plaster or plaster is applied to the injury site. In case of multiple dislocations or combined injuries, the leg is subjected to special plaster immobilization for up to 3 weeks.

Medication support

To reduce symptoms after dislocated fingers, medications are used. This measure is temporary, as it is aimed at reducing swelling and preventing the development of inflammation.

NSAIDs, which effectively relieve pain, and muscle relaxants, which are used to relieve muscle tension, are often prescribed.

If there is a high risk of side effects, the doctor may prescribe local remedies in the form of an ointment or gel.

You cannot take medications on your own, as this can lead to complications or allergic reactions.

Surgery

Treatment of chronic dislocations is carried out surgically. It allows you to restore the anatomically correct shape of the joint and the functionality of the foot when walking and putting pressure on it.

Often an open reduction of the joint is performed, fixing them with special knitting needles. Sometimes resection of the proximal phalanx is performed followed by traction.

Physiotherapy

Exercises are necessary during the rehabilitation process after closed reduction and surgery.

To prevent muscle atrophy and restore the motor ability of the fingers and feet, a course of special classes has been developed:

Spread the toes of the injured foot as far apart as possible and return them to their original position.
Slowly straighten your toes and hold them for a few seconds.
While sitting, do several rotations of your foot in different directions.
Pick up objects of different shapes and lengths from the floor and place them in a box.
Hold a pencil or felt-tip pen between your thumb and second finger and try to write or draw something on a piece of paper. The exercise is quite difficult, so at first you can hold the object for several seconds, gradually increasing the exercise time.

Gymnastics should be done daily, performing each approach at least 10 times. If pain occurs, you should postpone exercise until the symptoms are completely eliminated.

Traditional methods

Alternative medicine techniques cannot help correct a dislocation, but are effective in relieving discomfort after injury and reducing the risk of complications.

To reduce swelling, you can make a compress from a plantain or cabbage leaf.
Raw potato gruel is good at removing fluid from damaged tissues.
Prepare a decoction of pine needles and let it brew for half an hour. Pour the resulting infusion into water and soak your feet in it for 15 minutes.
A honey solution helps reduce pastiness at the site of a bruise (preparation proportions: 1 teaspoon of honey and 2 tablespoons of water).
Useful in the area of dislocation are lotions made from golden mustache and cow's milk.

Surgery

3 to 4 weeks after the procedure, the patient recovers completely.

If the finger has been dislocated for more than a month, surgery is required. The damaged joint will recover 2–3 weeks after surgery.

If the dislocation occurred a long time ago, open surgery does not always give a positive result. In this case, resection of the base of the phalanx of the proximal part of the injured finger is recommended.

After completing the procedure described above to restore the correct position of a dislocated finger, the patient is shown skeletal traction using a splint.

However, the most effective and common method of treating dislocations is the conservative method. After correcting the damaged finger and applying a special bandage, the patient can lead a normal life.

Rehabilitation

After removing the plaster cast and surgery, the patient is prescribed a course of rehabilitation measures, which include:

Massotherapy. Afterwards, you can do self-massage at home to improve trophism in the tissues.
Regular finger exercises.
Physiotherapy as prescribed by the supervising physician.
Using warm compresses, ointments, taking foot baths.

For the first time after removing the cast, you should not carry heavy objects, put any weight on your leg, or walk in narrow, uncomfortable shoes.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU TURNED YOUR LEG?

If a person twists his foot and it hurts to walk, the following can happen to the ankle17:

Sprain. In this case, the ligaments manage to protect the ankle joint from destruction, but small tears may appear in the tissues. This causes pain that does not go away until the integrity of the ligaments is restored.
Ligament rupture. In this case, the mechanism of damage is as follows: the ligaments are torn, but the bones remain intact. The pain will be stronger than with a sprain.
Dislocation or fracture. In such situations, the joint may become displaced and some bones may break. A person may feel a crunch, pain, and cannot stand on the injured leg.

Depending on the type of damage, different symptoms may appear: swelling, pain, complete or partial loss of mobility (you cannot stand on your leg), the joint begins to “move in different directions,” and hematomas may appear.

Here's what to do at home if you twist your ankle:

secure the leg with a bandage or bandage;
apply a cold compress;
give the leg an elevated position;
If the pain is severe, you can apply a painkiller.

As soon as first aid is provided, you need to contact a doctor who will conduct a diagnosis, determine the complexity of the injury and select the appropriate treatment methods. Sometimes a bandage is sufficient, but in some cases surgery may be required.17

30g

recommendations for use

Apply a small amount of gel (3-5 cm) 2-3 times a day, followed by rubbing into inflamed or painful areas of the body. The duration of use of the drug should not exceed 14 days without consulting a doctor.

instructions

50g

recommendations for use

instructions

100g

recommendations for use

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Possible complications

In advanced cases, failure to contact a specialist in a timely manner may result in the following consequences:

sprained toes;
tendon or muscle rupture;
damage to nerve endings or blood vessels;
the occurrence of habitual dislocation due to weakness of the ligamentous apparatus;
Several years after the injury, there may be a risk of developing arthritis.

Very important!

This massage is contraindicated for people with diabetes, since the cold slows down the movement of blood through the vessels, and this will have a bad effect on the body of a person with diabetes. In such a situation, you can simply raise your leg to a higher place. This will also reduce blood flow and pressure.

There are situations in which a person who has suffered a dislocation, without discomfort or pain, refuses treatment. Or the dislocation was not corrected after the injury. In these positions, one thing is clear - in both of them an “old dislocation” is formed, which will be more difficult to correct; here the doctor will have to apply splints.

Tissue swelling and stretching occurs due to displacement of the articular bone. With timely reduction and correct fixation until healing, swelling disappears and the finger regains its previous appearance.

It happens that the finger “gets along” in its new place - this situation cannot be corrected without the intervention of a surgeon. You should not self-medicate; the best option would be to consult a doctor in a timely manner, which helps reduce the risk of complications.

Symptoms

The symptoms of the pathology depend on the degree of damage to the foot. At the first stage, there is redness, swelling of the tissue in the area where the bone appears, pain in the phalanges of the fingers, which intensifies while walking. At the middle stage of development of the disease, pain, swelling, bone growths in the area of the metatarsal head, and dry callus appear under the middle phalanx of the finger. In the severe stage, severe, debilitating pain occurs in the sole of the foot and in the big toe. Dry calluses form, and keratinization of the skin appears under the second and third phalanges of the fingers.