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What Causes A Painful Bump On Toe Nail?
Question: I smashed my big toe with a door about three weeks ago. It was bruised, swollen and very painful. the swelling went away within a few days and most of the bruising. However there seems to be a knot on my toe that can't be seen, only felt and it still seems to be bruised. The spot itches a lot and it hurts to scratch it. The only time I feel pain in my toe is when I touch that spot. What could this be?
Brief Answer:
I need a picture and an X-ray perhaps..
Detailed Answer:
Hi Pam,
Can you send me the clinical photograph of the great toe for better understanding?
The feeling of knot could be unhealed tissue or scar fibrous tissue inside or ununited fracture of the bone but I can not say exactly without actual examination of your toe.
You must go for X-ray of the affected part to rule any fracture and dislocation.
In most of the cases,bruise,swelling and pain get subsides within few days following blunt hit or injury without any definitive treatment. But one should rule fracture and dislocation by doing X-ray.
Anyway, kindly send me the image and then I can suggest you further.
Regards,
Dr.sandipkabra
I need a picture and an X-ray perhaps..
Detailed Answer:
Hi Pam,
Can you send me the clinical photograph of the great toe for better understanding?
The feeling of knot could be unhealed tissue or scar fibrous tissue inside or ununited fracture of the bone but I can not say exactly without actual examination of your toe.
You must go for X-ray of the affected part to rule any fracture and dislocation.
In most of the cases,bruise,swelling and pain get subsides within few days following blunt hit or injury without any definitive treatment. But one should rule fracture and dislocation by doing X-ray.
Anyway, kindly send me the image and then I can suggest you further.
Regards,
Dr.sandipkabra
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
I uploaded a side by side photo of the injured toe and my other toe that is fine so that you could see the difference. The injured toenail was knocked loose and part of the nail fell off. The nail also turned black. There is a dark mark on my skin by the toenail which is the bruising that I was talking about. I can feel a knot when I touch that spot. It does not hurt when I walk. It only hurts when I touch it or when i wear a certain type of shoe that touches that spot.
Brief Answer:
It has scar and fibrous tissue below nail i.e. ingrown toe nail.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Pam,
Thanks for the follow-up query.
After going through photograph, there is scar and fibrous tissue below and around the nail bed along dark blood clot can be seen.
It is called as ingrown toe nail following blunt injury over toe.
Treatment:
Partial or complete avulsion of the nail plate under local anesthesia and then cleaning of the wound with betadine and savlon solution with sterile saline below nail plate.
The dressing should be sterile and topical antibiotics are to be used while changing dressing which should be done daily for at least 4 to 5 days in order to have fresh and complete healing of the wound.You can take analgesics and anti inflammatory on as and when required basis.
The new nail will grow within one month of time.
You must consult general surgeon for the above procedure.
Thanks and Regards,
Dr.sandipkabra
It has scar and fibrous tissue below nail i.e. ingrown toe nail.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Pam,
Thanks for the follow-up query.
After going through photograph, there is scar and fibrous tissue below and around the nail bed along dark blood clot can be seen.
It is called as ingrown toe nail following blunt injury over toe.
Treatment:
Partial or complete avulsion of the nail plate under local anesthesia and then cleaning of the wound with betadine and savlon solution with sterile saline below nail plate.
The dressing should be sterile and topical antibiotics are to be used while changing dressing which should be done daily for at least 4 to 5 days in order to have fresh and complete healing of the wound.You can take analgesics and anti inflammatory on as and when required basis.
The new nail will grow within one month of time.
You must consult general surgeon for the above procedure.
Thanks and Regards,
Dr.sandipkabra
Note: For further follow-up it is advisable to consult an emergency medicine specialist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
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