Question
Last week I dropped a very heavy board on my second toe.  There was very little bleeding but it immediately swelled and turned purple.  The next day I went to the doctor and got it x-rayed.  He said I had crushed the bone in the last joint of my toe.  He said the real danger was infection, but that he didn't want to open it up to clean it out, because the bone would just wash away.  He gave me antibiotics and a boot to wear.  I'm to go back to see him in 10 days if it wasn't better.  It is better and I'm thinking of canceling the appointment; however, I still have a question and I'm not sure if it is worth keeping the appointment just for a question.  So I thought I would ask you first.
If the bone is truly crushed as badly as the doctor indicated will it mend itself or will there always be pieces of bone in my toe?

Answer
Ann,

You should heal, however, if you truly had that bad of an injury and there is risk of infection, I would demand that my patient return for follow-up for their safety.

Depending on the injury you could have a fragment remaining.

Please see your Dr or another.

Good Luck