Post-traumatic toe deformity in a child

A 5 year old boy experienced pain in the little toe of his right foot after falling down the last two steps of a flight of stairs.

Initially the diagnosis was a “sprained toe.” No radiograph was taken at that time.

Five days later he was referred to orthopaedics because the pain was persisting. On examination, the toe was tender and swollen with subtle lateral deviation, but circulation and sensation were intact. Radiography was …