You think you broke your toe! Now what?

This post was written by Ashley M. Bojrab, DPM, FACFAS, ABPM, PPG – Podiatry.

Ouch! Stubbing your toe on the furniture can really hurt. Dropping something heavy on your foot can be unbearable. We’ve all been there. Depending on the amount of force behind the bump, or the weight and impact of the object dropping, it is very possible to break or facture your toes. If you suspect the worst, here’s what you need to know.

Diagnosis

An x-ray would help confirm if the bone is broken. If the ends of the broken bone are not aligned, then it would be considered a displaced fracture, which can require surgery. Again, imaging will help the physician provide an accurate diagnosis.

Signs of a break

Here are some signs and symptoms that could signal a bone break:

• feeling or hearing a pop sound at the time of the trauma
• toe appearing crooked or deformed
• bruising and swelling
• pain pinpointed to or concentrated at the location of the break

Treatment

Treatment for toe fractures include:      

• rest, ice and elevation of the foot
• buddy splinting to the next toe (although it is not recommended to tape your big toe to the second toe, as that may be harmful)
• a surgical shoe or stiff toe shoe to help stabilize the broken bone
• surgery, depending on the severity of the break and displacement of the bone

Recovery

If the patient is healthy, bones typically take 6-8 weeks to heal. If you are concerned about a break, I strongly recommend seeing a foot and ankle specialist. For more information, visit foothealthfacts.org.