Description

A broken toe is a common injury that is most often caused by dropping something on your foot or hitting your toe.

Generally, the treatment of a fracture of a toe involves taping it to the finger next to it. But if the fracture is severe — particularly if it's in the big toe — the adequate healing may require a cast or even surgery to heal well.

Most broken toes heal well, usually within 4 to 6 weeks. Sometimes, however, a broken toe may become infected. Also, the rest can increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis in that toe in the future.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of a broken toe include:

  • The pain
  • Swelling
  • Change in color of the skin from bruising or bleeding under the skin

When to see a doctor

Consult a health care provider if the pain, swelling, and change in color of the skin lasts for more than a couple of days, or if the injury affects walking or wearing shoes.

Causes

Drop something heavy on one foot and hit his head against something hard, are the most common causes of a broken toe.

Complications

Complications can include:

  • Infection. If the skin is cut close to the toe of the foot is injured, the risk of getting an infection in the bone increases.
  • Osteoarthritis. This wear and tear type of arthritis is more likely to occur when the break affects the joints of the fingers.

Diagnosis

During the physical exam, the health care providers usually check for tender areas in your toes. The provider will also check the skin around your injury to make sure it is not cut and that the toe is still receiving a blood flow and nerve signals.

X-rays of the feet can confirm a broken toe.

Treatment

Drugs

Generally, you can handle the pain of a broken toe with medicines such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) that can be purchased without a prescription. Severe pain may require prescription painkillers.

The reduction of the

If the broken pieces of the bone does not fit perfectly, a care provider may need to move the pieces in place. This is known as a reduction. It is usually performed without cutting the skin. Of ice or a shot of anesthetic numbs the toe.

Keep your finger movement

To heal, a broken bone should not be moved so that its ends can work together again. Examples include:

  • Companion recording. For a simple fracture in any of the smaller toes, to bind up the injured toe and a side could be all you need. The other finger acts as a splint. Place a gauze pad or feel between the fingers of the feet before recording you can prevent the sensitivity of the skin.
  • He wore a stiffness in the bottom of the shoe. A care provider may prescribe a post-surgical shoe that has a stiffness in the bottom and a soft top that closes with a strip of cloth. This can prevent the finger movement and to provide more space for the swelling.
  • Made of cast iron. If the pieces of the broken toe not to stay comfortably together, walking a cast that could help.

Surgery

In some cases, the surgeon may need to use pins, plates or screws to keep the bone in place during the healing process.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Raise the foot and the use of ice can help reduce swelling and pain. Prop your foot up when possible, so that your injury is higher than the heart. If ice is used, wrap it in a towel so that it does not touch the skin. Use it for about 15 minutes at a time, take a break of at least 20 minutes before icing again.

Preparing for your appointment

Your doctor may refer you to a specialist in orthopedic surgery.

What you can do

You can write a list that includes:

  • Details about your symptoms
  • How the injury occurred
  • Information about other medical problems that I have had
  • All of the medications and supplements you are taking, including dose
  • Questions you want to ask the doctor

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor may ask some of the following questions:

  • They were barefoot at the time of the injury?
  • Exactly where does it hurt?
  • It is more than a toe involved?
  • Does your injury feel better or worse when you move your foot certain ways?
Symptoms and treatment of Broken toe