How do you tell if toe is broken or sprained?

While sprained toes usually still can be moved and flexed (albeit with pain), broken toes usually won't move at all (or at least not very much). Broken toes are also more likely to cause numbness or tingling, more likely to cause bleeding, and more likely to cause “unusual” symptoms like disorientation or faintness.

How can you tell the difference between a broken or sprained toe?

Usually a break will hurt right where the bone has fractured. With a sprain, the pain may be felt in a more general area around the toe. The only way to tell for sure if the injury is a break or a sprain is to see your doctor. They can examine your toe and determine the type of injury.

Can you still 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.

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.

Can you walk on a sprained toe?

If you have a sprained toe: If you have a sprained toe, what you've injured is actually the ligaments around the toe. While painful, your toe will still remain functional. This means you can still walk and put your body weight on it.

Stubbed Toe? How to Treat? See a Dr? Is it Broken? We will Guide You.

What is the fastest way to heal a sprained toe?

Should you wrap sprained toe?

Compression. Taping the sprained toe to an adjacent healthy toe can be helpful. Use medical tape to “buddy wrap” the toes together, making sure that the wrap is firm but not too tight. Taping the toes can provide the injured toe with extra support and stability.

How do I know if my toe injury is serious?

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.

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 long will a sprained toe take to heal?

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 serious is a broken toe?

Well-healed broken (fractured) toes usually cause no ongoing problems. The possible complications, which are more likely to happen after severe breaks, include: Failed healing of the bones: this can either mean the bones heal in a crooked state or that they don't heal together at all.

What a sprained toe feels?

pain, often in the entire toe or even the area around it. tenderness. swelling. bruising.

Does a broken toe hurt to touch?

Symptoms of a stress fracture in the toe include: pain that occurs after activities such as walking or running. pain that goes away with rest. soreness or tenderness when touched.

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

Seek immediate medical care if you suspect an open fracture of the toe; if there is bleeding; cold, numb, or tingling sensation; if the toe appears deformed or is pointing in the wrong direction; or blue or gray color to the injured area. A broken toe is diagnosed with a medical examination, which may include X-rays.

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.

What does a bruised toe mean?

Bruised toes or foot can also be swollen, painful, and often appear purple or blue. A bruised toe can be caused from a broken toe and fracture. A broken foot or ankle can also cause bruises on top of the foot. Read below for more information on causes and treatment options.

What does a dislocated toe feel like?

Toe looks out of place, bent or crooked. Difficulty moving and walking on the toe. Pain and tenderness. Numbness or tingling of the toe.

Can't bend toes down after injury?

If you had an injury to your foot or ankle, and now can't move it, you may have a broken bone or a bad sprain. A ruptured Achilles tendon could also cause pain and make it difficult to bend your foot down. That can also be caused by an injury.

How long should you buddy tape a sprained toe?

Protect your skin by putting padding between your toes before you tape them together. Your injured toe may need to be buddy-taped for two to four weeks to heal.

How do you buddy tape a broken toe?

Can a stubbed toe hurt for days?

Normally the pain from a stubbed toe subsides in a day or two. If the pain continues or if the toe looks deformed, come in to our office. After a careful examination, including comparing the toes to the healthy foot and x-rays right in our office, we will recommend treatment for the stubbed 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.

Do you need a boot for a broken toe?

When a toe is dislocated, the ligaments that hold the toe bone in place at the joint are torn. In order to allow those ligaments to heal you will need to wear a walking boot for several weeks.