Supermom Chronicles
Thursday, January 04, 2007
What's Your Diagnosis?
Signalment: 33-yr old female CaucasianHistory: Female was coming up the stairs and turned too quickly upon reaching the top. All body parts except for right 5th phalanx (aka pinky toe) made it around the corner. Note: Patient is currently breastfeeding infant child. Patient took 2 Tylenol immediately prior to presentation.
Physical Exam: Attitude bright and alert, ironically giggling despite severe pain. Toes 1 through 4 are pointing North, while digit 5 is pointing East (see photo). Severe pain upon palpation. Patient is ambulating funny ("limping"). All other systems are within normal limits.
Radiographs reveal oblique spiral fracture completely through proximal phalanx of digit 5 (long bone of the pinky toe). No joints appear to be involved.Treatment: Unfortunately, since patient is breastfeeding (see above History), she cannot take any narcotics to numb the pain. Therefore, digital traction and manipulation of toe was performed in an effort to realign bone while patient held onto hospital bed for dear life and shouted expletives. Despite several minutes of manipulation (and excruciating pain), unable to completely realign bone. Taped toe to adjacent toe in semi-straight position. Applied ugly shoe.
Plan: Referral to orthopedic specialist in hopes that patient will someday again be able to wear pointy-toed shoes:)
Yes, that's how I spent yesterday afternoon. I can't help but wonder if this has anything to do with the fact that we decided not to eat black-eyed peas on New Year's Day. My next doctor appointment is tomorrow morning. More to follow...
posted by Joey at 4:05 PM
4 Comments:
OUCH! I did that to my third toe as a teenager, gawkily walking around the house and into a kitchen chair. IT HURTS LIKE HELL>I'm so sorry Joey!
p.s. Cool xray though.
OOOhhh...yeah. When I was nine, I did a back dive off of a diving board. My whole body soared through the air, except for my pinky toe, which decided to hang onto the board for dear life. Luckily, it was summer and shoes were definitely optional. They didn't give narcotics to a nine-year-old, either. I feel you girl!
Hey Joey,
Sorry about your toe. And I like your blog. I read it all in one day here at work (shh - don't tell boss).
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