The Painful Repercussions of Hitting Your Pinky Toe on a Coffee Table
No matter how careful you are, accidents can happen. A textbook example of this is hitting your pinky toe on the corner of a coffee table. Ouch! In the moments after such an incident, you might feel embarrassed that you somehow managed to hurt yourself. Though your awkwardness might be understandable, it’s important to take into account the potential repercussions of such an injury.
Pain and Discomfort
The first thing most people experience when they hurt their pinky toe is pain. This is because the pinky toe, unlike the large toes, lacks a supportive tendon and is therefore more susceptible to extreme discomfort. This pain might manifest as a dull, aching sensation or as sharp, intense pain.
Bruising and Swelling
It’s also not uncommon for an injury like this to lead to some bruising or swelling. In some cases, the swelling might be extensive, making it tortuously difficult to maneuver or participate in physical activities.
Long Term Effects
Though hitting your pinky toe on a coffee table might initially seem like nothing to worry about, it’s important to be aware of the potential long term effects of such an injury. If you do not take the appropriate steps for recovery and prevention, you could be at risk for the following:
- Infection: If the injury is not properly addressed, you could be at risk for infection.
- Stress on Other Toes: If the pinky toe injury is not addressed in a timely manner, you might put unnecessary strain and pressure on other toes, causing them to become weak.
- Permanent Nerve Damage: In some cases, the injury could lead to permanent nerve damage.
It’s important to remember that even though these long term effects might seem far away after an initial injury, they are real and should be taken seriously.
Though hitting your pinky toe on a coffee table might be awkward, it’s important to take into account the potential repercussions of such an incident. Though the pain, discomfort, and swelling might be minor and manageable in the moment, there are long term effects to consider. Take the time to take care of your injury in an appropriate way, so that you can minimize the risk of something more serious and long term.
