What to Do for a Broken Toe?

What to Do for a Broken Toe?

If you’ve ever had a broken toe or think you might have one, you quickly realize just how much you rely on these small but dependable phalanges. Immediately, simple tasks like walking, standing, or even slipping on a pair of shoes turn into a dreaded and painful challenge. 

Your next thought is, “Great if my toe is broken, how long does a broken toe take to heal?” Most of the time, treating a broken toe is simple, but if it’s a bad break, especially in the big toe, you might need a cast or even surgery to heal correctly.

If you’re worried that you’re dealing with a break, schedule an appointment right away to receive professional guidance.

How to Tell If Your Toe Is Broken
It can be hard to tell if you have a broken toe because the symptoms can range from mild to severe and may look like other injuries. Depending on how severe the break is, this can cause pain, swelling, bruising, and sometimes a visible deformity.

A broken toe happens when a bone in your toe fractures, usually from trauma like stubbing it or dropping something heavy on it. Below are signs to look for to help determine if you’ve suffered a break.

• Pain. Pain is usually the first and most noticeable symptom. A broken toe causes sharp pain that worsens with walking or movement. 

• Swelling and bruising. If you have a broken toe, you’ll notice inflammation, swelling, and bruising in the injured area, making it tender to the touch. 

• Deformity. Another telltale sign of a break is a deformity. A toe that looks misshapen doesn’t align correctly with the others or is stiff and immobile when moving can point to a fracture.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to have your toe evaluated by a podiatrist right away. Proper diagnosis and treatment of a broken toe will help relieve pain and get you on the right path to recovery.  

What To Do For a Broken Toe

You might wonder, “Can’t I just let this toe take care of itself?” While the thought of toughing it out may cross your mind, the Florida Podiatric Medical Association (FPMA) strongly recommends seeking prompt medical attention. 

A broken toe might seem minor, but improper treatment could lead to complications, including chronic pain or improper healing. Below are several things you can do right away to minimize discomfort and care for your broken toe.

Rest and Elevation

How long does a broken toe take to heal? First, the golden rule of any foot injury is rest. 

• Put your feet up — literally. Resting your foot will prevent further aggravation to the broken toe, allowing it the best chance to heal. 
• Elevate your foot above heart level to reduce swelling and improve blood flow. 
• Minimize walking or putting weight on the injured foot as much as possible to speed up your healing.

Ice the Injury

Apply a cold pack to the broken toe for 15–20 minutes every few hours, especially during the first two days after the injury. 

Be sure to wrap the ice pack in a towel to protect your skin from frostbite. Stick to a regular schedule for maximum relief.

Buddy Taping

You may or may not have heard of buddy taping. Buddy taping is a medical taping process that involves gently taping the broken toe to its neighboring toe to stabilize it and prevent further damage.

If you attempt to do this yourself, be careful not to tape the broken toe too tightly. Cutting off circulation will worsen the injury. Monitor your broken toe symptoms frequently to ensure your toes remain warm and have normal sensation. Getting professional guidance before attempting it yourself is always a good idea.

What Your Doctor Could Prescribe Depending on the Severity of Your Injury

Your doctor will begin broken toe treatment by ordering X-rays. X-rays will help to see if the toe is actually broken, determine the severity of the fracture, and better understand whether the bones in your foot are displaced. 

For less severe injuries, buddy taping or splinting will be recommended. In some cases, especially with more severe fractures, your doctor may use a hard cast to immobilize the broken toe completely.

And, in rare instances where the break is severe or the bone is significantly displaced, surgery may be necessary. Surgery will realign the broken toe properly and ensure it heals correctly, reducing the risk of complications and avoiding long-term pain or improper alignment. 

How Long Does a Broken Toe Take To Heal?

For most people, a broken toe will take about 4 to 6 weeks to heal, but the exact recovery time depends on the severity of the fracture. For more serious breaks requiring surgery, surgical recovery may take up to 6 to 8 weeks or more. 

Patience during healing is key. Resting, limited weight-bearing, and physical therapy will help you regain mobility and strength. 

Follow proper broken toe care treatment and don’t return to normal activities until your doctor gives you the go-ahead.

What Happens If You Leave a Broken Toe Untreated?

Leaving a broken toe untreated can lead to serious complications that impact your long-term foot health. Improper healing may result in chronic foot pain, difficulty walking, or even arthritis in the affected toe. 

A broken toe can sometimes heal in a crooked or misaligned position, increasing the risk of painful corns and discomfort with everyday activities. In some cases, these issues may eventually require corrective surgery. 

Your Toe-tally Smooth Road To Healing

With the proper broken toe care, most people recover quickly and get back on their feet in no time.  Seeking prompt treatment and early care will help prevent long-term problems and ensure you get back on your feet without pain.

Don’t let a broken toe trip you up, schedule an appointment now.