Toe Fractures
Introduction[edit | edit source]
Toe fractures are common clinical injuries in children and adults.[1] Studies report 14 to 39.6 cases per 10,000 people. [2][3] Fractures of the lesser digits occur much more commonly than the great toe. [2]
Mechanism of injury[edit | edit source]
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.
- ↑ Rennie L, Court-Brown CM, Mok JY, Beattie TF. The epidemiology of fractures in children. Injury. 2007 Aug;38(8):913-22.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Fife D, Barancik JI. Northeastern Ohio Trauma Study III: incidence of fractures. Ann Emerg Med. 1985 Mar;14(3):244-8.
- ↑ 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.
