Can you wiggle your toes if your foot is broken?

Can you move a broken toe? “If you can still move it then it's not broken.” – False. This is another harmful old wives' tale. Although it may be possible to move and walk on your broken toe, you should avoid doing so as this can lead to even greater damage and prolonged healing time.

How do you tell if a foot is broken or sprained?

In general, a broken foot tends to be more painful than a sprained foot, and the pain lasts longer. Bruising, swelling, and tenderness are also more severe if your foot is broken. Another way to tell the difference between a broken foot and sprained foot is the sound the body makes when the injury occurs.

Can you bend toes if broken?

After the injury, pain, swelling, or stiffness can occur. 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.

How do I know if my foot injury is serious?

Can you move your foot if you broke it?

Broken Foot Symptoms

Usually (but not always) the pain is so bad, you are not able to walk. Broken bones in the toes cause less pain, and you may be able to walk with a broken toe. Bruising of the foot with a broken bone is also common.

How to Know If Your Toe Is Broken

What does a sprained foot feel like?

Pain and tenderness near the arch of the foot. This can be felt on the bottom, top, or sides of the foot. Bruising and swelling of the foot. Pain when walking or during activity.

Can you wiggle your toes with a broken ankle?

Most believe that if they can wiggle their toes or move the ankle around that an ankle fracture has not occurred. The reason this is not true is because the nerves and muscles that allow the movement of the ankle have not been affected by the fracture.

How do you check for a broken foot?

When should I go to the ER for foot pain?

Go to an urgent care or ER for ankle pain if:

You have severe pain and swelling. You cannot put weight on your foot. You have an open wound (Emergency room only) You have signs of an infection such as redness, warmth and tenderness (Emergency room only)

What does 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.

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.

What happens if you break a metatarsal bone?

A fracture of the first metatarsal bone can lead to later arthritis of the big toe joint. A fracture at the base of the fifth metatarsal bone is often mistaken for an ankle sprain and therefore not rested or supported enough. This can lead to problems in healing and continuing pain.

Can you sprain top of foot?

Still, other parts of the foot can sustain a sprain, including the top of the foot. Spraining the top of the foot is much rarer than ankle sprains, but it can cause serious damage without proper medical treatment. This type of sprain is called a Lisfranc, or midfoot, injury.

What does a stress fracture feel like in your foot?

Pain, aching, and tenderness that worsens during and after physical activity or movement. Relief from pain during periods of rest. Swelling on the ankle or top of your foot.

Can't put weight on foot no injury?

Most likely, plantar fasciitis. This condition begins in the plantar fascia, a thick tissue band that runs along the bottom of the foot and connects your heel to your toes. This tissue band absorbs force impact and supports your weight whenever you stand, walk, run, or jump.

Can you wiggle your toes with a sprained foot?

Recent research suggests that early, gentle range of motion exercises help with healing. Try to gently “pump” your ankle up and down, make circles with your feet, and wiggle your toes often. Ice -- Intermittent use of ice throughout the day may help with lessening pain in the early phase of healing.

Did I sprain my ankle or break it?

Both ankle sprains and fractures result from similar activities, such as tripping, falling, or twisting, and occur when the ankle is stressed at an angle. The difference is that sprains result when there is damage to the ligament, whereas ankle fractures require a break in the bone.

Is a sprain more painful than a break?

Sprains can be extremely painful, and are easy to confuse as a break. Many times, they are more painful than a fracture, which has been confirmed by science.

Does a sprained foot hurt to touch?

Main symptoms

Most people with foot sprains will experience pain in the foot as well as tenderness when pushing on the foot. The location of the pain and tenderness may vary depending on the specific ligament that is injured.

How do you tell if a bone is bruised?

How do you know if you have a midfoot sprain?

Symptoms of a Midfoot Sprain

Swelling and pain on the top of the foot. Pain that increases when standing and walking. Pushing off with the affected foot can also increase pain and may require the use of crutches. Visible bruising on top and/or bottom of the foot.

Can you put weight on broken foot?

If your bones are still aligned (meaning that the broken ends meet), you will probably wear a cast or splint for 6 to 8 weeks. You may be told not to put weight on your foot. You will need crutches or other support to help you get around.

Can you break a metatarsal and still walk?

Depending on the type and severity of your injury, you may be able to walk on a broken metatarsal. Some people find they can't tolerate any weight at all. Others can still walk, especially if it's a mild fracture.

How do I know if I have a fractured metatarsal?

Is it OK to walk with a metatarsal stress fracture?

How Is a Metatarsal Stress Fracture Treated? Treatment of a metatarsal stress fracture requires a period of rest from your activity, usually at least 3-4 weeks. If there is pain with daily activities, you may need to use crutches or a walking boot for a short time until you can walk comfortably without pain.