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HOW MANY PHALANGES DOES A HUMAN HAVE?

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56 phalanges!

There are 56 phalanges (bones) in the human body, with fourteen on each hand and foot. Three phalanges are present on each finger and toe, with the exception of the thumb and large toe, which possess only two. 
The phalanges of the fingers help us manipulate our environment while the phalanges of the foot help us balance, walk, and run.

Phalanges have many attachments such as muscles (via tendons), ligaments and other soft tissue.

Treatment of Toe Fractures

Fractures of the toe bones are almost always traumatic fractures. Treatment for traumatic fractures depends on the break itself and may include these options:

  • Rest. Sometimes rest is all that is needed to treat a traumatic fracture of the toe.
  • Splinting. The toe may be fitted with a splint to keep it in a fixed position.
  • Rigid or stiff-soled shoe. Wearing a stiff-soled shoe protects the toe and helps keep it properly positioned. Use of a postoperative shoe or bootwalker is also helpful.
  • Buddy taping the fractured toe to another toe is sometimes appropriate, but in other cases, it may be harmful.
  • Surgery. If the break is badly displaced or if the joint is affected, surgery may be necessary. Surgery often involves the use of fixation devices, such as pins

Consequences of Improper Treatment

Some people say that “the doctor can’t do anything for a broken bone in the foot.” This is usually not true. In fact, if a fractured toe or metatarsal bone is not treated correctly, serious complications may develop. For example:

  • A deformity in the bony architecture, which may limit the ability to move the foot or cause difficulty in fitting shoes.
  • Arthritis, which may be caused by a fracture in a joint (the juncture where two bones meet), or may be a result of angular deformities that develop when a displaced fracture is severe or has not been properly corrected.
  • Chronic pain and deformity.
  • Non-union, or failure to heal, can lead to subsequent surgery or chronic pain.

If in doubt please call us today for an appointment with one of our podiatrists on 5223 1531

THIS INFORMATION IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED TO REPLACE PROFESSIONAL PODIATRIC ADVICE. TREATMENT WILL VARY BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS DEPENDING UPON YOUR DIAGNOSIS AND PRESENTING COMPLAINT. AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS CAN ONLY BE MADE FOLLOWING PERSONAL CONSULTATION WITH A PODIATRIST.

 

 

 

NAIL POLISH – YES OR NO? Read our latest blog for a solution if you said yes!

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Nail Polish

Did you know that your nails are porous and they absorb what you put onto them?

Many nail polishes contain ingredients that are listed as POISONOUS. Some are listed as carcinogens and others have been linked to birth defects and breathing issues!

Why don’t we recommend it?

Nail polish can invite fungal growth to the nail. It creates a barrier which locks in pathogens and creates a protective layer. It also makes it difficult to spot changes in the nail and early signs of a fungal infection. Fungal nail infections can be very difficult to remove and we recommend taking steps to reduce your risk.

If you want to wear it, what should you do?

  • Thoroughly remove the current coat of nail polish before applying a new layer
  • Allow some time for you nail to ‘breath’ before a new layer, this allows the nail to rebuild lost oils
  • When removing layers, watch for signs of fungal nail infection such as changes in colour or thickness
  • Watch for any irritation or reaction from the nail polish to the surrounding skin. If you find a brand your skin can tolerate, try to stay with the same one to reduce the risk of a reaction occurring
  • We highly recommend FRANKIE4’s Safe 7 – a nail polish developed at Salon Standard without those scary ingredients!

For more info check out https://frankie4.com.au/shop/nail-polish.html