Comments on: How to Know if Your Toe Is Broken

on 6/30/2006 I broke my second toe four months ago. The nurses at the doctors office said there was nothing to be done. A neighbor who's a doctor said just let it heal. It hurt for weeks, but eventually got better. The problem was there was still swelling, and that caused me to walk incorrectly which would cause severe pain in my foot. Wearing a walking cast fixed the problem, but only temporarily. I finally went to a specialist who's treating me with special supports and anti-inflammatory medication. He says I may have joint damage. My advice - go see a doctor if his hurts more than a few days. If I'd had an X-ray early I would have known that it was badly broken.

on 3/20/2006 I broke my right, big toe three weeks ago and had surgery on it to remove the fragments of bone a couple of days ago. It is best to get x-rays if you suspect that your toe is broken, and then see you GP. He or she may advise you to see an orthopedic surgeon. If you have any suspicion that your toe is broken, it is best to get it checked out!

on 1/30/2006 I broke my toe 5 days ago, and finally went to the doctor. X-rays showed a clean fracture just behind the second joint from the tip of my left little toe. It looked like a snapped matchstick! The doctor said that normal activity was the best way to heal it. He also said that slightly loose, comfortable shoes would be best. It hurts and the whole top of my foot is swollen, but after an hour of walking around, it numbs up a bit.

on 1/4/2006 I broke my left, big toe on Thanksgiving morning. The next day, the doctor said that all they can do for any broken toe (unless extremely severe) is tape up the toe, alternate cold and hot soaks every 20 minutes, and recommend rest. Breaking a toe (especially a big one) will likely have damaged the tissues surrounding the break, and that, more than the break, is the worrisome part. The doctors recommend not putting your shoe on for at least 24 hours after the suspected break, elevating it at or higher than your heart, and taping it after the second or third day, to minimize further bruising to the tissues. You can resume normal activity when you feel up to it. Obviously, if you are in pain, then your body is telling you that you aren't ready. Using your toe when in pain will only further damage the tissues, and prevent the break from healing properly and efficiently.

on 1/2/2006 It's been weeks since I kicked a box in a fit of pique. I did the rest-ice-compress-elevate the first day, but went on with normal (but careful) activity, including yoga. My big toe is still twice the size of the other one and too fat to bend. I will try taping it to its' neighbor, which happens to be crooked (from another episode).

on 4/19/2008 As a nurse, I would advise elevating the extremity (affected foot) to a level above the heart, thus decreasing blood flow to the injured area and lessening inflammation.

on 11/22/2005 As a nurse, I'd advise you not to wiggle an injured toe to see if the bones grind around. The ice and buddy-taping method is good, and remembering to pad between your toes is good.

on 11/22/2005 If you know (or think) your toe is broken, then you should keep it elevated (at the height of your heart), keep ice on it, and when you're walking around, try to use buddy tape with a cotton ball in between it. If you are active in sports you'll need to lay off of them for a while. When you think the swelling has gone down and the pain has stopped, or a doctor says you can, you can go back to them.

on 11/22/2005 Bones take 4-6 weeks to heal. Walking is fine as long as it is pain-free and does not increase your symptoms. X-rays are a good confirmation that your bone is aligned properly.

on 11/22/2005 Don't sweat it, ice it and keep it elevated. Then split it with some tape and cotton in between the toe. Going to the doctor will do little to know good! The toe will heal in about a week.

on 11/22/2005 A big problem with broken toes is that they heal sticking out or in a wrong position, and can cause problems for a lifetime. Your doctor won't help you prevent this - he may help cause it. To prevent this problem, tape the toe well and hold it in place consistently for 3-4 weeks. Find a firm pair of leather shoes with room for your toe and wear them (except when asleep or when icing your elevated and taped toe). Do not cut a hole in a tennis shoe to make room for the toe. Do not walk in flip-flops. These common errors lead the toe to heal in a protruding position. If it does, you will not be able to wear many types of shoes in the future.

on 11/22/2005 I went to the hospital, and the doctor told me that even if my little toe were broken, all they would be able to do is tape it up. Tape the broken toe to a good toe, making sure to use some sort of padding between the toes. You can replace it if it gets wet.

on 2/12/2007 I recommend that you see doctor ASAP. Swelling, bruising and pain in the toe most always indicates that it is broken. If you take care of it now, you may prevent further injury and complications.

on 11/22/2005 Make sure you soak it in a tub of iced water to reduce swelling and help minimize the pain.

on 11/22/2005 If your toe is Broken, (or feels broken) then what I suggest is you rest your foot on a pillow and ice it for a while. This will help for little bit!