Contracture of the third toe as a delayed presentation of a foreign body in the foot

Foreign body retention in the foot after a penetrating injury is an unusual occurrence with varied presentation. A degree of suspicion needs to be present in situations where there is an inexplicable swelling, sinus, abscess, or tenderness. The authors present a case with a contracture of the third toe that had been caused by plantar fascial fibrosis secondary to retention of a rubber foreign body in the foot. This case report highlights the fact that an ultrasound to rule out retention of the foreign body might be a judicious investigation if common causes of toe contracture are excluded. It may also have therapeutic implications.