Dislocated/broken pinky joint, toe joint, and thumb joint? Arthritis?!
Question: Hi, this might seem like I am paranoid, but I just want to know more information about it. I know I should be asking a doctor (which I plan on doing sometime soon), but I just wanted some information from personal experiences from people like you! If you give me some that would be awesome!
Playing Soccer:
I think I dislocated or broke (Not sure what happened exactly) my left upper-pinky joint, left toe joint, and my right thumb joint.
All have similar characteristics where
- At the moment of injury I got pain and swelling.
- After pain and swelling is gone, the joint movement is limited (only a tiny bit) and it seems there is a bone sticking out a little bit.
-Does these types of injuries cause osteoarthritis when I'm old?
-What happens to these injuries after a long period of time?
Thanks!
Answers: Hi, this might seem like I am paranoid, but I just want to know more information about it. I know I should be asking a doctor (which I plan on doing sometime soon), but I just wanted some information from personal experiences from people like you! If you give me some that would be awesome!
Playing Soccer:
I think I dislocated or broke (Not sure what happened exactly) my left upper-pinky joint, left toe joint, and my right thumb joint.
All have similar characteristics where
- At the moment of injury I got pain and swelling.
- After pain and swelling is gone, the joint movement is limited (only a tiny bit) and it seems there is a bone sticking out a little bit.
-Does these types of injuries cause osteoarthritis when I'm old?
-What happens to these injuries after a long period of time?
Thanks!
Nearly no human makes it through life without the experience of breaking the pinky toe at least once. For the most part, there aren't any real consequences you need concern yourself about. The joints that are injured will take a few weeks to completely recouperate, even after the initial pain and swelling disappear. The joint would be slightly limited in the meantime, but there really aren't any good treatments for them other than time. If it were really dislocated sufficiently to cause deformity at the time of injury, then a trip to the doctor would be in order to correct that. Otherwise, not much you can do for toes. The thumb might benefit from a splint or wrap, but as long as it's not really dislocated, again- there really isn't a treatment needed. The body can handle those type injuries pretty well for itself. As to what it will cause when you are older, that's a matter for crystal balls. You might be at a slightly higher risk of osteoarthritis when you get older, but then just getting old and the cumulative effect of daily life can do that as well. It would be more hazardous for your overall health to stop all the physical activity, and you still tend to lose use of what you don't use. But at the moment you are young, with excellent healing ability, so it's unlikely you have done enough damage to anything to be concerned about.
Osteoarthritis is 'wear and tear' to the joints. Therefore any damage and it seems you have damaged your joint, then you will get Osteoarthritis. However many people who never damaged any joint also get Osteoarthritis. The injuries never go away and can cause problems as you age. The pinky toes for example might mean you will have to wear a broader shoe, might in special insoles, if not surgery later in life. Best of luck.
BAD! GO to the DOCTOR!!!!
:)