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The response to the question below was authored by Marc Mitnick DPM

nonunion toe fracture

I broke my toe several months ago, pinky toe, by stubbing it. I buddy taped it, but it never seemed to heal correctly. I finally went to a podiatrist, and turns out it never healed at all.


My choice is do bone stimulation and try to get it to heal, or surgery, and remove the chunk of bone that broke off (it's fairly big actually, or looks it to me).

I'm leaning towards the surgery because it's a faster fix (and concern that if it didn't heal to begin with, it might not heal with stimulation, and then I'd be left with the surgery anyway). The idea of wearing this boot for a few months isn't appealing.

Thoughts?

Hi,
I guess I am just old fashioned, but if this was my toe, I would want to do all that I could to keep all parts intact.
Bone stimulation is a great modality and DOES work, particularly if it has only been several months.
Secondly, if it is a large piece of bone that has to removed you have to be concerned about the after affects as it will change the architect of your foot primarily by making your little toe even shorter. This then can create excessive shoe pressure on the fourth toe and depending on the types of shoes that you wear may create a constant painful corn on the fourth toe and that is never good.
Lastly, although I do not know exactly where the break is, your doctor could go in, clean out the fibrous union (nonunion) and put temporary pins in there to re-fuse the broken bone, which to me sounds like a better idea than having a large piece of bone removed.
Marc Mitnick DPM

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Jun 21, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Non-Union Toe Fracture
by: DJS

I ,too, have a non-union fracture of the small toe

I stubbed it in Novemberbband it is June and still broken. I am afraid that it will never heal.

I was given a bone stimulator to use at home for twenty minutes daily.

I am having trouble placing the disc of the bone stimulator in the correct place.

Walking is painful. I have not been able to get into a regular shoe in months and my narrow foot can move around in a "surgical shoe" that I was given.
My Dr.wants me to have a stiff sole added to my own shoe- but I can't get into my own shoes !

I have noticed that my toes are curled on the same foot and my Dr. says it is "Hammertoes".
I do not have this on the other foot and do not remember having this prior to the toe fracture.

could this be related?

how are hammertoes treated?

can vitamins or supplements help with bone healing ?

thank you for your time.

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Penn State Medical Center

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Columbia University Department of Rehabilitation

ScienceDirect

Stanford Health Care

Illinois Bone and Joint Institute

Mount Sinai Hospital

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University of Florida Health

American Family Physician

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908-522-0761


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New Zealand

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Arizona
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Thanks, Kathy

Florida
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Poland
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South Carolina
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San Clemente, CA


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Bre

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anonymous



Dr. Mitnick, Thank you, you were 100% correct. The pain finally brought me to the ER. I spent 8 days in the hospital. The Doppler you spoke of was able to show that there was no pulse in that foot. This was an arterial clot that split and traveled throughout my leg. My leg was almost amputated. I am in rough shape but have all my parts intact!! You certainly know what you are talking about. Thank you for taking the time to answer. Yours Truly!

anonymous



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Poland



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Seattle, WA


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New Jersey



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Debbie

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Chrissy

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Evansville, IA



Dear Marc

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Dr. Mitnick, Just want to say thank you so very much for your quick response and very informative reply! After reading what you had to say, I called the doctor's office and was able to get in and see him the same day as my injury. Toe was x-rayed and luckily, it is not broken or fractured. Very badly bruised and will probably lose the toe nail. And although my toe and toe nail are still very black and blue and very sore, they ARE both starting to feel a little better. So again, thank you! I am so very happy that I came across your website. The service you provide is outstanding and immeasurable!

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Albany, NY



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Jill S.

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Jackie

Whichita, KS



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mark

Boston, MA



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Colorado



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Colorado

Wonderful advice

by: Anonymous

This is the best site for foot problem info.

Thank you for this information. This description fits my pain and inflammation behind my 2nd toe perfectly.

by: Max

location unknown
Again, I really appreciate that you responded to my inquiry, and that your mention of Parkinson's helped me to find my way to a diagnosis of this difficult to diagnose disease. Most patients see on average 16 doctors before they are diagnosed. I hope that you can help other people that ask for your expertise in the future.

Barb D.

Canada
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Wisconsin
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Julie

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Renae

North Carolina
Many Thanks Dr Marc!
Thank you for your response. It sounds like a good plan to me. He did not cut the wart out first ...

KG

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Bessie Mae

Florida
Dear Dr. Mitnick, Thank you so very much for taking your time to answer my question. You have greatly relieved my anxiety related to the continual tingly I feel in my feet. I will share your response with my podiatrist next week. God bless you for having this question and answer page on your website! Most gratefully,

Lynne T.

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Your webpage is excellent, I commend you on sharing your knowledge to the public.

Robert

New Jersey


Thank you. you were more detailed than what others have told me they finally called from the last xrays and my son is now in a cast for 2 weeks he did have a fracture that was not noticeable.

a mom

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I have read your website and I have to admit that I am amazed at all the information that is on here. I have learned more than the three years I have been going to several doctors that I have seen!!

Melody

Lenoir, NC


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Bellevue, WA


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