A broken toe usually involves something heavy dropping on it or stubbing it on a piece of furniture or another hard surface. The result is bruising and swelling that makes it difficult or impossible to wear shoes due to the pain. Frequently, the patient walks with a limp if they can walk at all. It can take up to 6 weeks for a broken toe to fully heal. Here are a few measures you can implement at home to help with the healing process. First, stay off the foot, and then wrap it to keep the swelling down. Keep ice on the affected toe and elevate it as often as possible. You also may need to take over-the-counter pain medication. Whether your toe is broken or sprained, it is a good idea to consult a podiatrist who can determine the severity of the injury. The foot specialist will take an X-ray and depending on the results, wrap the injured toe to toe next to it (known as buddy taping) as a splint for stabilization. A hard boot may be prescribed to keep the toe safe from further injury. Walking aids, such as crutches, may also be recommended to help keep weight off the toe. In severe cases, surgery may be required.

A broken toe can be very painful and lead to complications if not properly fixed. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Milos Tomich, DPM from Dr. Tomich Foot & Ankle Health Center. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What to Know About a Broken Toe

Although most people try to avoid foot trauma such as banging, stubbing, or dropping heavy objects on their feet, the unfortunate fact is that it is a common occurrence. Given the fact that toes are positioned in front of the feet, they typically sustain the brunt of such trauma. When trauma occurs to a toe, the result can be a painful break (fracture).

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Throbbing pain
• Swelling
• Bruising on the skin and toenail
• The inability to move the toe
• Toe appears crooked or disfigured
• Tingling or numbness in the toe

Generally, it is best to stay off of the injured toe with the affected foot elevated.

Severe toe fractures may be treated with a splint, cast, and in some cases, minor surgery. Due to its position and the pressure it endures with daily activity, future complications can occur if the big toe is not properly treated.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Milwaukee and Wauwatosa, WI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.