No Small Break: Broken Toes

One of the least discussed issues we deal with are broken toes. More often than not people who injure a toe do not seek medical treatment assuming the toe will heal fine on its own. However, an actual broken toe that is not treated properly can result in future foot pain, deformity, troubles with shoe fittings and more.

Whether you stubbed it, dropped something on it, rolled your foot or otherwise ‘hurt’ your toe visiting us can ensure your treatment is successful.

What to look for in a Toe Injury:

- Pain that subsides after a few hours

- Crooked appearance of toe

- Bruising and/or Swelling within the following 24 hours

- Pain with, or following, normal activity

- Pain when touched

Contrary to popular belief the saying, “if you can walk on it, it is not broken” is not true.  If you are suffering from any of these symptoms following a potential injury seek medical help for best results in healing.

Hammertime! What is Hammertoe?

Hammertoe is a deformity of the second, third, or fourth toes. In this condition, the toe is bent at the middle joint, causing it to resemble a hammer. Left untreated, hammertoes can become inflexible and painful, requiring surgery.

Hammertoe surgery can be done on an outpatient basis in the doctor's office or a surgery center using a local anesthetic, sometimes combined with sedation. The surgery takes about 15 minutes to perform. Up to four small incisions are made and the tendons are rebalanced around the toe so that it no longer curls. Patients usually can walk immediately after the surgery wearing a special surgical shoe. Minimal or no pain medication is needed following the surgery.

Icing and elevation of the foot is recommended during the first week following the procedure to prevent excessive swelling and promote healing. It is also important that the dressing be kept clean and dry to prevent infection. Two weeks after the surgery, the sutures are removed and a wide athletic shoe can replace the post-operative surgical shoe. Patients can then gradually increase their walking and other physical activities.

Call our office today: 

Charleston Office

843-225-5575

Mount Pleasant Office

843-654-8250