Toe Fractures: Difference between revisions

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== Introduction ==
== Introduction ==
Toe fractures are common clinical injuries in children and adults.<ref>Rennie L, Court-Brown CM, Mok JY, Beattie TF. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17628559/ The epidemiology of fractures in children.] Injury. 2007 Aug;38(8):913-22.</ref> Studies report 14 to 39.6 cases per 10,000 people. <ref name=":0">Fife D, Barancik JI. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3977148/ Northeastern Ohio Trauma Study III: incidence of fractures.] Ann Emerg Med. 1985 Mar;14(3):244-8.</ref><ref>Van Vliet-Koppert ST, Cakir H, Van Lieshout EM, De Vries MR, Van Der Elst M, Schepers T. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21440463/ Demographics and functional outcome of toe fractures.] J Foot Ankle Surg. 2011 May-Jun;50(3):307-10.</ref> Fractures of the lesser digits occur much more commonly than the great toe. <ref name=":0" />
Toe fractures are common clinical injuries in children and adults, with studies reporting 14 to 39.6 cases per 10,000 people coming to emergency departments. <ref>Rennie L, Court-Brown CM, Mok JY, Beattie TF. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17628559/ The epidemiology of fractures in children.] Injury. 2007 Aug;38(8):913-22.</ref> <ref name=":0">Fife D, Barancik JI. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3977148/ Northeastern Ohio Trauma Study III: incidence of fractures.] Ann Emerg Med. 1985 Mar;14(3):244-8.</ref><ref name=":1">Van Vliet-Koppert ST, Cakir H, Van Lieshout EM, De Vries MR, Van Der Elst M, Schepers T. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21440463/ Demographics and functional outcome of toe fractures.] J Foot Ankle Surg. 2011 May-Jun;50(3):307-10.</ref> Most toe fractures involve the first and the fifth toe, <ref name=":1" />although fractures of the lesser digits occur much more commonly than the great toe. <ref name=":0" />


== Mechanism of injury ==
Fractures of the toes can be either '''non-displaced''' - when the ends of the fracture are still together or '''displaced''' - when the fractured bone(s) are partially or completely separated. <ref>American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Toe and Forefoot Fractures. Available from: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/toe-and-forefoot-fractures/ [accessed 1/8/2023]</ref> Most toe fractures are non- or minimally displaced so usually they are treated conservatively. <ref name=":1" />
Toe fractures are usually the result of direct trauma such as from striking objects, falls, and sports and recreational activity. A sudden abduction force applied to the digit against an object is most commonly reported.


Indirect trauma such as hyperflexion or hyperextension can also lead to avulsion fractures. Stubbed toe can be defined as flexion of the distal phalanx in conjunction with a proximal shearing force which may or may not cause a fracture or subluxation. Associated conditions include nailbed injuries and subungual hematomas.
== Mechanisms of injury ==
Toe fractures are usually the result of direct trauma such as crushing from striking objects, <ref name=":0" /> <ref name=":2">Hatch RL, Hacking S. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14705761/ Evaluation and management of toe fractures.] Am Fam Physician. 2003 Dec 15;68(12):2413-8. </ref> axial forces e.g. stubbing a toe, <ref name=":2" /> falls, and sports and recreational activity. A sudden abduction force applied to the digit against an object is the most common mechanism of injury. Stubbed toe can occur when flexion of the distal phalanx in conjunction with a proximal shearing force causes a fracture or subluxation.  
 
Indirect trauma such as hyperflexion or hyperextension can also lead to avulsion fractures, but these types of injuries are less common. <ref name=":2" />
 
== Clinical presentation ==
Most cases present with tenderness at the fracture site, or pain with axial loading of the toe. <ref name=":2" />Associated conditions include nailbed injuries and subungual hematomas.
 
== Diagnosis ==
Radiographs (anteroposterior and oblique) are taken to determine the presence and displacement of the fracture, and to evaluate adjacent areas for injuries. <ref name=":2" />
 
== Management ==
Stable, nondisplaced toe fractures are treated with buddy taping and a rigid-sole shoe to restrict movement and promote tissue healing.<ref name=":2" />
 
Displaced fractures of the lesser toes are treated with reduction and buddy taping. <ref name=":2" /> When the displaced fracture involves the first toe, referral for stabilisation of the reduction may be needed. <ref name=":2" />
 
== References ==
<references />
[[Category:Foot]]
[[Category:Fractures]]
[[Category:Foot - Bones]]

Revision as of 14:12, 1 August 2023

Introduction[edit | edit source]

Toe fractures are common clinical injuries in children and adults, with studies reporting 14 to 39.6 cases per 10,000 people coming to emergency departments. [1] [2][3] Most toe fractures involve the first and the fifth toe, [3]although fractures of the lesser digits occur much more commonly than the great toe. [2]

Fractures of the toes can be either non-displaced - when the ends of the fracture are still together or displaced - when the fractured bone(s) are partially or completely separated. [4] Most toe fractures are non- or minimally displaced so usually they are treated conservatively. [3]

Mechanisms of injury[edit | edit source]

Toe fractures are usually the result of direct trauma such as crushing from striking objects, [2] [5] axial forces e.g. stubbing a toe, [5] falls, and sports and recreational activity. A sudden abduction force applied to the digit against an object is the most common mechanism of injury. Stubbed toe can occur when flexion of the distal phalanx in conjunction with a proximal shearing force causes a fracture or subluxation.

Indirect trauma such as hyperflexion or hyperextension can also lead to avulsion fractures, but these types of injuries are less common. [5]

Clinical presentation[edit | edit source]

Most cases present with tenderness at the fracture site, or pain with axial loading of the toe. [5]Associated conditions include nailbed injuries and subungual hematomas.

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Radiographs (anteroposterior and oblique) are taken to determine the presence and displacement of the fracture, and to evaluate adjacent areas for injuries. [5]

Management[edit | edit source]

Stable, nondisplaced toe fractures are treated with buddy taping and a rigid-sole shoe to restrict movement and promote tissue healing.[5]

Displaced fractures of the lesser toes are treated with reduction and buddy taping. [5] When the displaced fracture involves the first toe, referral for stabilisation of the reduction may be needed. [5]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Rennie L, Court-Brown CM, Mok JY, Beattie TF. The epidemiology of fractures in children. Injury. 2007 Aug;38(8):913-22.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Fife D, Barancik JI. Northeastern Ohio Trauma Study III: incidence of fractures. Ann Emerg Med. 1985 Mar;14(3):244-8.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Van Vliet-Koppert ST, Cakir H, Van Lieshout EM, De Vries MR, Van Der Elst M, Schepers T. Demographics and functional outcome of toe fractures. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2011 May-Jun;50(3):307-10.
  4. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Toe and Forefoot Fractures. Available from: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/toe-and-forefoot-fractures/ [accessed 1/8/2023]
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 Hatch RL, Hacking S. Evaluation and management of toe fractures. Am Fam Physician. 2003 Dec 15;68(12):2413-8.