Nondisplaced lesser toe fractures are typically treated with what?

Nondisplaced lesser toe fractures are typically treated with what?

• A. Short leg walking cast
• B. Rest and ice only
• C. Immediate surgical fixation
• D. Rigid-sole shoe or buddy taping

Answer: (D)

Stabilizing a nondisplaced fracture of a lesser toe is enough to allow healing without surgery. The best approach is a rigid-sole shoe or buddy taping to the adjacent toe. The rigid-sole shoe limits forefoot motion during weight-bearing, protecting the injured toe, while buddy taping keeps the fractured toe aligned by using the neighboring toe as a natural splint. This conservative management provides immobilization just enough to promote healing while preserving function. Rest and ice alone won’t immobilize the fracture, and a short leg walking cast would be unnecessarily aggressive for a small toe fracture and can lead to stiffness and other complications. Immediate surgical fixation isn’t indicated unless the fracture is displaced, unstable, open, or there’s failure of conservative treatment. Healing typically occurs over a few weeks with protected weight-bearing and activity as pain allows.

Stabilizing a nondisplaced fracture of a lesser toe is enough to allow healing without surgery. The best approach is a rigid-sole shoe or buddy taping to the adjacent toe. The rigid-sole shoe limits forefoot motion during weight-bearing, protecting the injured toe, while buddy taping keeps the fractured toe aligned by using the neighboring toe as a natural splint. This conservative management provides immobilization just enough to promote healing while preserving function.

Rest and ice alone won’t immobilize the fracture, and a short leg walking cast would be unnecessarily aggressive for a small toe fracture and can lead to stiffness and other complications. Immediate surgical fixation isn’t indicated unless the fracture is displaced, unstable, open, or there’s failure of conservative treatment.

Healing typically occurs over a few weeks with protected weight-bearing and activity as pain allows.