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Free Medical Advice sponsored by
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Got an ache or pain? Have a question about a prescription or over-the-counter drug? Looking for some FREE medical advice?
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Question:
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| My little toe was stamped on during a game of football over three weeks ago. It was swollen and bruised only for a few days, but it is still very painful today and hard to walk on, although I can move it quite freely. Could it be broken and is there anything I can do?
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Answer:
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| Thank you for your inquiry. Regular readers of this site may sigh at our repetition of the next statement, but.... to make a diagnosis on this sort of problem really requires direct examination of the injured part. That said, it is possible that one of the small bones in the Vth toe was broken at the time, and an X-ray would be necessary to be certain whether or not this is the case. Some doctors do not X-ray such injuries as there is frequently no treatment applicable or necessary except 'tincture of time'; sometime using surgical tape to strap the broken toe to its neighbor can reduce but not eliminate the pain with walking (but equally, doing this can make the toe very sweaty and macerated unless the tape is changed and the foot washed regularly which can also be painful). However, patients usually appreciate knowing why it is so painful so an X-ray may settle the question, confirm fracture or otherwise, and confirm the degree of healing and the time it will still take to settle. These comments are made for the purpose of discussion and should NOT be used as recommendations for or against therapies or other treatments. An individual patient is always advised to consult their own physician.
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