How do I know if my toe injury is serious?

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.

When should I go to the hospital for a toe injury?

See a GP if:

pain and swelling has not started to ease 2 to 3 days after you injured your toe. it still hurts to walk 6 weeks after injuring your toe. you have diabetes and have injured your toe – foot problems can be more serious if you have diabetes.

Can you wiggle your toe if it's 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.

What does a damaged 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.

Signs your foot or ankle injury is serious

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.

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.

What does a dislocated toe feel like?

You'll feel sharp pain and experience swelling, and sometimes bruising. You may also hear a tearing or snapping noise. Your toe may look crooked or out of alignment. A dislocated toe is a fairly common injury, especially in contact sports like football.

Does a broken toe need medical attention?

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 bruise instantly?

Bruising around the toe may appear shades of red and purple that go away within a few days of the initial injury. However, a broken toe may cause bruising, redness, and swelling that does not go away so quickly.

What will the hospital do for a broken toe?

If the broken fragments of your bone don't fit snugly together, your doctor may need to manipulate the pieces back into their proper positions (reduction). Doctors can usually do this without cutting open your skin. Ice or an injected anesthetic is used to numb your toe.

What will a doctor do 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.

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.

Is my toe sprained?

The symptoms of a sprained toe typically include: pain in the toe, especially when walking. difficulty moving the toe. swelling.

Should a broken toe still be swollen after 4 weeks?

A typical toe fracture will take about 6 weeks to heal. However, residual swelling and dysfunction can persist for even longer. It is not uncommon to still have residual symptoms following a significant toe injury even 3-4 months after the injury.

How do you know if your toe is jammed?

Can a broken toe lead to amputation?

Further, if a broken bone is not set right, a serious infection called osteomyelitis can set in, which can potentially require amputation of the limb simply as the result of a fracture.

Can you tear a ligament in your toe?

Turf toe is an injury in the big toe joint when ligaments, tendons and soft tissues in the joint stretch or tear. It's a common injury among football players and athletes who sprint or jump. Turf toe usually gets better with rest, ice and over-the-counter pain relievers. Severe turf toe injuries may need surgery.

How do you treat a badly sprained toe?

What are the first signs of a blood clot?

What does a blood clot feel like in foot?

swelling in your foot, ankle, or leg, usually on one side. cramping pain in your affected leg that usually begins in your calf. severe, unexplained pain in your foot and ankle. an area of skin that feels warmer than the skin on the surrounding areas.

How do you check for blood clots at home?

What does an early blood clot feel like?

The feeling can range from a dull ache to intense pain. You may notice the pain throbs in your leg, belly, or even your arm. Warm skin. The skin around painful areas or in the arm or leg with the DVT may feel warmer than other skin.

How long does sprained toe last?

Sprains generally take from 3–6 weeks to heal. A toe sprain may be treated by taping the injured toe to the next toe. This is called buddy taping. This protects the injured toe and holds it in position.

How do I know if my foot is sprained or fractured?

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.