-
Step 1
Remove your shoe and sock and feel for any deformity. Gently run your fingers up and down your toe. If your toe feels crooked or lumpy, it's more likely that it's broken than sprained.
-
Step 2
Wiggle your toe. Severe pain suggests the toe is broken.
-
Step 3
Listen to your toe while wiggling it. If you hear a grating or popping sound, a piece of bone may be rubbing against another piece of bone.
-
Step 4
Check for swelling. If your toe is double its size in puffiness and the skin is stretched, your toe may be broken.
-
Step 5
Compare your injured toe to the same toe on the other foot. If the injured toe looks shorter or deformed, chances are it may be broken.
-
Step 6
Check your temperature. Within two to three hours after a bone breaks, the body's natural defense mechanisms automatically raise your temperature. A fever above 99.6 degrees F suggests the toe is broken.
-
Step 7
Try to stand for a minute or so. If your toe is broken, it won't be able to support your weight. A broken toe will tend to buckle underneath you when you stand on it.
Comments
postwick said
on 10/17/2009 OK I'm about 90% sure I broke the middle toe on my right foot. If I tried to do these tests right now I would probably pass out from the pain. They did it on a healthy toe. Did they think that maybe squeezing and poking at your toe when it's broken might hurt a bit?
sweetok2 said
on 8/26/2009 even taped in the buddy system, my compound toe fracture was not healing straight which only showed on X-RAY two weeks after the toe was shattered - the Podiatrist then operated and put a pin in - now non-weight bearing, on crutches and in a post-op boot - I feel this is well worthwhile as I would not have been able to walk in shoes comfortably as the 4th toe was hanging over the little one. I recommend a specialist for any type of injury.
lisette763 said
on 5/13/2009 One thing it does not mention above that surprises me - use crutches for the first week or so to take weight off of a broken or sprained toe rather than hobbling around on the side or heel of that foot.I rammed my 3rd
lisette763 said
on 5/13/2009 One thing it does not mention above that surprises me - use crutches for the first week or so to take weight off of a broken or sprained toe rather than hobbling around on the side or heel of that foot.I rammed my 3rd
dheilke said
on 2/21/2009 So, I supposedly broke my pinkie toe 5 weeks ago. Now if I try to step on it I get these jabbing pins and needles inside my toe. I can barely even move it. Is it normal to be feeling the pins and needles when I step on it?