Can anything be done for a broken toe?

Usually, you can treat a broken toe by taping it to a neighboring toe. But if the fracture is severe — particularly if it involves your big toe — you may need a cast or even surgery to ensure proper healing.

Should I go to the doctor for a broken toe?

If you think you broke your toe, it's best to have your doctor look at it. Even though you can often treat it yourself, a broken toe can sometimes lead to more serious problems, like infection, arthritis, or long-term foot pain.

Will a broken toe heal on its own?

Most broken toes will heal on their own with proper care at home. It can take 4 to 6 weeks for complete healing. Most pain and swelling will go away within a few days to a week.

How do you know if you have broken your toe?

How do I know if my toe is broken or just bruised?

How do I know if my toe is broken or just bruised? A bruise on the bone can feel similar to a break, Dr. King says. “The most obvious sign that it's a fracture is if the painful toe is pointing in a different direction than your other toes.

What is the Best Treatment for a Broken Toe? (and why you should NEVER buddy tape a stubbed toe)

What happens if you leave a broken toe untreated?

A fractured toe that's left untreated can lead to infection

You're at increased risk of developing a bone infection if you have diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or a compromised or weakened immune system. Symptoms that suggest your toe has developed a bone infection include: Fatigue.

Do you need to go to hospital for a broken toe?

A broken toe can be painful, but you do not usually need to go to hospital.

Can you break a toe by stubbing it?

Stubbing a toe can even cause breaks, sprains, broken nails, and infections. The pain of a stubbed toe usually subsides after a few minutes. In some cases, however, the impact could break the toe or the toenail, causing intense pain that may get worse over hours or days.

Should you wrap a broken toe at night?

Never tape the toes together skin-to-skin. Your broken toe may need to be buddy-taped for 2 to 4 weeks to heal. Rest and protect your toe. Do not walk on it until you can do so without too much pain.

How serious is a broken toe?

Most broken toes heal well, usually within four to six weeks. Sometimes, a broken toe may become infected or increase the risk of osteoarthritis in that toe in the future.

What's a broken toe look like?

Broken Toe Symptoms

Bruising of the skin around the toe may also be noticeable. The toe may not look normal, and it may even look bent or deformed if the broken bone is out of place. It may be difficult to walk because of the pain, especially if the big toe is fractured. Shoes may be painful to wear or feel too tight.

Do you get a boot for a broken toe?

Doctors will first recommend either a walking boot or a cast, along with a toe plate, for around 2–3 weeks. They will then recommend a rigid-sole shoe for 3–4 weeks.

How long do I need to keep my broken toe taped?

Protect the skin by putting something soft, such as felt or foam, between your toes before you tape them together. Never tape the toes together skin-to-skin. Your broken toe may need to be buddy-taped for 2 to 4 weeks to heal. Rest and protect your toe.

What shoes should I wear with a broken toe?

A surgical shoe is special foot wear that lets you put weight on your foot without compromising your recovery. How does it do that job? The stable sole on a surgical shoe keeps your toe from moving too much. And this is important, because broken toes need to be immobilized in order to heal.

How long will a broken toe hurt?

Your toe is likely to be tender and swollen, even after a few weeks. You'll likely need to avoid running, playing sports, or walking long distances for one to two months after your injury. Recovery time can be longer if the break is in one of the metatarsals.

What doctor do you see for broken toe?

If you find yourself experiencing any of these symptoms, seek help from a podiatrist, who specializes in foot care and will assess and treat your injury. A broken toe can be very painful and lead to complications if not properly fixed.

How do you sleep with a broken toe?

Invest in a specialized pillow, like a body pillow, for elevation—keeping the broken bone above your heart prevents blood from pooling and causing swelling. Try sleeping on your back first while propped up on a few pillows. If that doesn't work, slowly adjust yourself to a side position if possible.

How do you buddy tape a broken toe?

What does a sprained toe look like?

A sprained toe shouldn't look dislocated. It will still swell, but will likely have less bruising. A sprained toe may be painful for several days, but should then begin to improve. One other key difference between a break and a sprain is the location of the pain.

Can you wiggle a broken toe?

If you have a broken toe: A broken toe is a fractured bone. This type of injury results in either a very limited range of motion or even the inability to move the toe at all. In addition, the toe will swell and bruise. It'll hurt to walk and the pain and swelling will persist for days without any signs of improvement.

What do doctors do for a sprained toe?

A doctor may recommend a walking boot, which is a stiff boot that protects the toe as it heals. A walking boot allows a person to walk on their injured foot with extra stability. Some people may also need crutches for a sprained toe.

How do you wrap a broken toe at home?

Place a cotton ball between the toes to prevent blistering, and consider using a popsicle stick as a splint. Tape the toes together loosely to allow for optimal stability yet adequate circulation, preferably using gauze or medical tape. If unavailable, any other tape or bandaging will work.

Is buddy taping necessary?

Buddy taping is a well known and useful method for treating sprains, dislocations, and other injuries of the fingers or toes. However, the authors have often seen complications associated with buddy taping such as necrosis of the skin, infections, loss of fixation, and limited joint motion.

Why is broken bone pain worse at night?

During the night, there is a drop in the stress hormone cortisol which has an anti-inflammatory response. There is less inflammation, less healing, so the damage to bone due to the above conditions accelerates in the night, with pain as the side-effect.

Can a broken toe cause a blood clot?

Trauma could result from a car accident, a sports injury, or even a fall. Common mishaps that may lead to a clot include: Broken bones. Bad bumps.