When should you see a doctor for a sprained toe?

If you have injured your toe and have experienced swelling that has not decreased within five days, noticed a change in the color of your toe, or continued to feel pain days after the initial injury, it may be time to seek professional care.
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Should you go to the doctor for a sprained toe?

A person should see a doctor if they experience any of the following with a strain or sprain: pain and swelling that gets worse over time. pain and swelling that does not improve with home treatment. fever or chills.
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When should I worry about a sprained toe?

More severe strains and sprains may require surgery to repair damaged or torn ligaments, tendons, or muscles. If you experience any of the following, see a doctor about your sprain or strain: difficulty walking or standing without pain. inability to move or flex the affected joint.
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How do I know if my toe injury is serious?

See a doctor if:
  1. the toe is very swollen.
  2. the pain is severe and does not go away after several hours.
  3. it is difficult to walk or to put weight on the foot.
  4. the toenail falls off or the area around it is very swollen.
  5. there are signs of infection around the toenail, such as itching, redness, and pus.
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How do I know if my toe is broken or just 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.
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Should I See A Doctor for a Broken Toe?



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.
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How long does a 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.
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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.
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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.
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Will a sprained toe heal on its own?

If you have a sprained toe: A mild sprain can be treated with home remedies, such as icing the injured area for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, taking time to rest, and keeping the foot elevated.
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Can you do anything for a sprained toe?

Some simple steps you can take to reduce pain and swelling include: Rest the injured joint as much as you can. Use a cold compress on the sprained toe for around 15 to 20 minutes.
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Will a jammed toe bruise?

While stubbing your toe may seem earth-shattering, breaking it can be far worse. A stubbed toe is simply a toe that's been badly slammed, and may show signs of swelling or bruising, but there is no serious injury under the surface.
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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.
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What does 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.
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Should I wrap my sprained foot?

Ice is best, especially for the first 48 hours after injury. Compression -- Wrapping a stretchable elastic bandage around your foot and ankle can help minimize swelling after injury. If you're going to wrap your ankle, it is best to put the bandage on first thing in the morning, and then take it off at bedtime.
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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.
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Why does broken toe hurt more at night?

This is what happens during the day. 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.
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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.
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Should I go to ER broken toe?

A broken toe can be painful, but you do not usually need to go to hospital. There are things you can do to treat it at home.
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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.
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How many days should you ice a sprain?

Try to ice the area as soon as possible after the injury and continue to ice it for 15 to 20 minutes, four to eight times a day, for the first 48 hours or until swelling improves. If you use ice, be careful not to use it too long, as this could cause tissue damage. Compress the area with an elastic wrap or bandage.
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Which is worse a sprain or a strain?

One is not technically worse than the other. Strains affect the tendons (an easy way to remember this is sTrains = tendons or muscles), and sprains affect the ligaments. Both tendons and ligaments are connective tissues, and both are measured by severity. You can have a mild sprain or a severe strain, or vice versa.
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How should I sleep with a sprained foot?

Elevating a sprained ankle reduces the accumulation of fluid in the joint. This can ease swelling, which may also help reduce pain. Try sleeping with the foot and ankle propped up on pillows at a level higher than the heart. When sitting or resting, use pillows or a footrest to keep the foot and ankle elevated.
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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.
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