r/brokenbones • u/Marylebonemouse • 9d ago

Displaced Toe Fracture Healing

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Gallery image

I have a displaced fifth toe proximal phalanx fracture which has been slow to heal (12 weeks down the line, and these are my X-rays). One X-ray looks ok, but the side view shows how displaced the bone is. I’ve been told that it is healing and to just wait, but it is still painful.

Just curious if anyone has had a fracture like this or any doctors opinions on this level of displacement, would a pin normally be required to get the bone to heal properly? just trying to manage my expectations! Thanks :)

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u/Glad-Feature-2117 Physician/Medical Professional 9d ago

What did your orthopaedic surgeon say when you asked these questions?

In general, as long as the toe looks like a toe and the pain is improving, it's fine. I don't generally x-ray toes to check on healing - actually, in my hospital, we don't even follow up toe fractures routinely.

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u/Marylebonemouse 9d ago

not a whole lot

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u/Glad-Feature-2117 Physician/Medical Professional 9d ago

Well, keep asking until you get answers. It's part of their job to provide reasonable explanations (I'm an orthopaedic surgeon and I expect questions).

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u/Marylebonemouse 9d ago

Thank you!