Not what you're looking for? CLICK HERE INSTEAD
The response to the question below was authored by Marc Mitnick DPM
Foot trauma from dropped weight
by Bethany
(Knoxville, TN)
crush injury
Two days ago, I dropped a 15 pound weight on my right foot.The pain was excruciating and I felt it the most shooting up my pinky toe. It turned black and blue instantly, and the swelling got pretty bad. I was sure I broke it because I've never had a broken bone in my whole 35 years of my life, and I've dropped heavy things on my foot before, but I've never had this much pain, bruising, and swelling happen before. I went to the ER about an hour later. They took x-rays and the doctor came back and told me that I hurt it pretty bad, but it wasn't broken. I bruised a bone, had a contusion, and a hematoma. Which sounds to me like a fancy word that doctors use instead of a bad bruise. I've had 3 kids and 2 back surgeries, and my foot hurts worse than all of that! A bruise wouldn't feel this painful. Day 2 and the bruising and swelling is worse, and now I have a very painful lump that is about the size of a pea that just appeared out of nowhere about an inch below my pinky toe which is where the weight directly made impact. I did some research and found that sometimes a broken metatarsal doesn't appear on an X-ray for a couple of weeks later. My question is this...do you think that it may in fact be broken? They wrapped my foot up in a right bandage,stuck it in a wooden boot, and they gave me crutches that I have to use for 4 weeks. The pressure from the bandage and the shoe is causing my foot to hurt alot worse, so I admit that I have had it off more than I have had it on. And I've never used crutches before, so I tripped a few times which caused me to land directly on my foot flat on the ground, which is when it started hurting worse, which is how I noticed the lump. Do you think that it may have had a hairline fracture already and when I tripped and landed on it, it snapped the bone the rest of the way? I wasn't wearing the bandage or the shoe when I tripped on the crutches and landed on my foot, and all of my weight was on my hurt foot when the
RESPONSE
Hi Bethany,
At the very least this problem is beyond the scope of your primary care doctor. Your better move would be to see a podiatrist or an orthopedist as they are better equipped to handle any issues that may have developed.
There is certainly the possibility that you did further damage when you tripped. The only way to know for sure would be to have another x-ray.
Assuming, for the moment, that you did not do any further damage,then based on your first x-ray, even if you did fracture the bone, but it did not show up on x-ray, we would call it a non-displaced fracture meaning with immobilization it should heal.
The other problem I see from your narrative is that apparently the dressing that was applied was too tight.
Typically after trauma to the foot, the foot will swell which is normal. So a dressing applied initially which might be snug, will become too tight once the swelling begins.
Since you did trip, I would certainly recommend another x-ray. If there is no further damage or even if a fracture is present but it is non-displaced meaning there is just a crack in the bone, then immobilization and non-weightbearing would be the treatment of choice.
I should also point out that in the type of injury you suffered, dropping a fifteen pound weight on your foot, if there indeed was a fracture it would probably have been a crush injury to the foot meaning if there was a fracture it would show up as a crushed bone rather than just a crack in the bone. My point being, that type of fracture most certainly would have shown up on initial x-ray.
Marc Mitnick DPM
DISCLAIMER
If you found this information helpful please let others know by SHARING on social media, thank you.
ADDITIONAL REFERENCES
University of Rochester Medical Center
American Academy of Pediatrics
Columbia University Department of Rehabilitation
Recent Articles
-
Vitamin D impact on health
Feb 06, 23 07:17 PM
Researchers are suggesting that the effectiveness of Vitamin D in fighting and preventing disease is predicated on a persons body mass index (BMI). The thinner the person the greater the positive impa… -
Foods to speed up healing
Feb 01, 23 02:41 PM
One of the best ways to help yourself heal faster after surgery is to eat well. Getting the proper nutrition will provide your body with the essentials it needs to promote healing. Here is a suggestio… -
Cancer and Type 2 Diabetes
Jan 25, 23 04:52 PM
An article revealing that older type 2 diabetics have a higher incidence of cancer then non-diabetics. It is suggested that cancer may surpass CVD as the number one cause of death in older diabetics. -
Does glucosamine or MSM reduce arthritis pain?
Jan 22, 23 01:41 PM
A good review of the possible benefits to taking glucosamine, chondroitin or MSM for arthritis. Always beware of the possible side effects of over the counter supplements. -
shin splints
Jan 18, 23 05:12 PM
A great review on the various causes of shin splints, along with treatment options. -
Whats new in skin cancer?
Jan 15, 23 08:32 PM
A presentation of newer skin protection combinations in an effort to better protect the skin from the hazards of sun exposure. -
Causes and risk factors of warts
Jan 14, 23 05:02 PM
A good review of the causes of warts and protective measures you can take to prevent developing them. -
Do chronic wounds need to be dressed daily?
Jan 11, 23 02:18 PM
Because of supply chain shortages as well as staffing shortages particularly during the pandemic, many institutions extended the time between dressing changes for chronic wounds. Is this really the be… -
Food choices that raise your risk of type 2 diabetes
Jan 08, 23 10:07 AM
A good review of how blood sugars can become elevated and the harm that can do. Certain food groups have a tendency to raise your blood sugars and should be avoided. -
Outcome stats from Scarf bunionectomy
Jan 03, 23 03:04 PM
The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery recently reported a meta analysis of outcomes in 1583 Scarf bunionectomies that met their inclusion criteria. Adverse events did not seem to be any better or wors…