Question-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
Hi,
I had a narrow steel plate about 30 lbs. fall on my big toe on my right foot Thursday afternoon. (I was wearing a tennis shoe.) I worked the rest of the day Thursday and Friday, with pain.
I called the doctor Friday and the nurse said they were booked and to go to the emergency room if the pressure builds by the toenail during the weekend.
I have done intermittent ice and elevation.
Starting Friday after work, I saw a nickel-sized blister at the base of my toenail. I sterilized a needle, punctured the blister and it was basically clear with a tinge of pink. The blister keeps rebuilding itself and I keep popping it every four hours or so.
My toe and surrounding area on the top and bottom of my foot are completely black, blue and red.
I do plan to call the doctor on Monday and still try and get in but I do not want to go to the emergency room for something as little as a 'broken' toe.
Any advice you can give me on home maintenance until Monday would be wonderful!
Sincerely,
Nancy Snyder
Answer -
You have done all the correct things, elevation, ice and staying off the foot as much as you can til you see the doctor. Aleve or ibuprofen can decrease the swelling and pain or tylenol for pain alone. The doctor may need to remove the blood under the nail, otherwise not much to do but let it heal over the next 6-8 weeks. Elevation with you flat in bed and ice are the secret to speeding the healing at this stage.
Dear Dr. Aukerman,
Thank you! I went to the Doctor on Monday, Oct. 18th and there were multiple breaks in the distal portion of the toe. The blister was believed to be from wearing shoes that no longer fit the day after breakage. (The blister was directly over the major bone break.)
My toe - as of tonight - is now red and painful - which is probably to be expected - but I worry about infection. The blister skin is still there but is flat (no gathering of puss or anything beneath it). Just a painful redness surrounding the distal portion of the toe. It seems a little warmer to the touch than my other toes, too.
And I believe there is a thin line of red at the base of the toenail - could it be pushing the toenail off? Would that cause the redness? The doctor didn't drain anything - just wanted me to apply a topical antibacterial ointment and expect to wear a post-op shoe for two or three weeks. Swelling is down a bit but not enough to wear a shoe (or even soft slipper comfortably).
Thanks for all your help!
AnswerYes, the nail will begin to slowly be pushed off by the new nail. Yes the redness is the body's reaction to the injury. Remember Elevation above your heart with your body and head flat for 15 minutes 5-6 times a day will do wonders as will the following nutrients if OK with your doctor. OK?
The Nutrient Replacement List:
Omega 3 Fish Oil 1000 mg caps Start with two (2) caplets twice daily. e.g. TriOmega, Nordic Naturals (goal is 1000-2000 mg of total EPA and DHA daily)
High Potency B Complex (B-50, B100 or B150), Start with one (1) tablet twice daily.
Multivitamin (for age and gender), one (1) tablet daily.
Magnesium Oxide 250 mg tabs Start with two (2) tabs (500mg) twice daily.
Calcium 500 mg with Vit D tabs, Start with one (1) tablet twice daily OR Caltrate with vitamin D 1000 mg daily; (Do not take calcium within 4 hours of thyroid dose)
Vitamin C 1000 mg Start with one (1) tablet twice daily.
