A broken toe usually involves something heavy dropping on it or stubbing it on a piece of furniture or another hard surface. The result is bruising and swelling that makes it difficult or impossible to wear shoes due to the pain. Frequently, the patient walks with a limp if they can walk at all. It can take up to 6 weeks for a broken toe to fully heal. Here are a few measures you can implement at home to help with the healing process. First, stay off the foot, and then wrap it to keep the swelling down. Keep ice on the affected toe and elevate it as often as possible. You also may need to take over-the-counter pain medication. Whether your toe is broken or sprained, it is a good idea to consult a podiatrist who can determine the severity of the injury. The foot specialist will take an X-ray and depending on the results, wrap the injured toe to toe next to it (known as buddy taping) as a splint for stabilization. A hard boot may be prescribed to keep the toe safe from further injury. Walking aids, such as crutches, may also be recommended to help keep weight off the toe. In severe cases, surgery may be required.
Broken toes may cause a lot of pain and should be treated as soon as possible. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Family Foot and Ankle Care of Moriches. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.
What Is a Broken Toe?
A broken toe occurs when one or more of the toe bones of the foot are broken after an injury. Injuries such as stubbing your toe or dropping a heavy object on it may cause a toe fracture.
Symptoms of a Broken Toe
- Swelling
- Pain (with/without wearing shoes)
- Stiffness
- Nail Injury
Although the injured toe should be monitored daily, it is especially important to have a podiatrist look at your toe if you have severe symptoms. Some of these symptoms include worsening or new pain that is not relieved with medication, sores, redness, or open wounds near the toe.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Moriches and Shirley, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
