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This article was co-written by Laura Marusinec, MD. Marusinec is a licensed pediatrician at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, and she is a member of the Clinical Practice Council. She received her PhD from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine in 1995 and completed her residency at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine with a major in Pediatrics in 1998. She is a member of the American Medical Writers Association and the American Medical Writers Association. Children’s Emergency Care Association.
There are 9 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 45,825 times.
Toes are made up of small bones (called knuckles) that break easily when injured. Most toe fractures are called “pressure” or “fracture” fractures, meaning the cracks are superficial and not severe enough to dislocate or tear the skin. [1] X Source of Study More rarely, the toe can be crushed to the point where the bone breaks (fracture) or breaks completely out of place and protrudes through the skin (open fracture). Understanding the severity of your toe injury is important as it determines your treatment plan.
Steps
Diagnose
- The most common symptoms of a broken toe are pain, swelling, stiffness, and often bruising due to internal bleeding. Walking is difficult, and running or jumping is almost impossible because of the intense pain.
- Other professionals who can help diagnose and/or treat a broken toe include chiropractors, podiatrists, physiotherapists or emergency room and emergency physicians.
- Specialists can use X-rays, bone scans, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and ultrasound to help diagnose a broken toe.
- A broken toe is usually caused by a heavy object falling on the foot or the toe tripping on something hard and immobile.
- The little toe (fifth) and big toe (first toe) are more often broken than the other toes. [3] X Research Sources
- A dislocation can cause the toe to curl and look like a fracture, but a physical exam and x-rays will help differentiate the two.
Treats stress fractures and is not misaligned
- Do not apply pressure too tightly or apply pressure for more than 15 minutes at a time, as completely obstructed blood flow can cause further damage to the foot.
- Uncomplicated toe fractures heal quickly, usually taking about four to six weeks, and by then you can gradually return to sports activities. [5] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
- These drugs are usually not good for the stomach, liver and kidneys, so you should not take them for more than two weeks at a time.
- Consider placing gauze or felt between your toes before dressing to avoid skin irritation.
- You can make a simple splint at home for extra support by placing popsicle sticks on either side of your toe before bandaging the toes together.
- If you can’t bandage your toe on your own, ask your family doctor, specialist, chiropractor, podiatrist or physical therapist for help.
- Open-toe sandals can be helpful if your toes are swollen, but keep in mind that they don’t protect your toes.
Treatment of open fracture and dislocated toe
- With open fractures, quick treatment time is important to avoid possible blood loss, risk of infection and necrosis (tissue death due to lack of oxygen).
- Your doctor may prescribe strong pain relievers such as narcotics before administering the anesthetic in the operating room.
- In case of severe fracture, use forceps or screws to hold in place while the wound heals.
- Osteopathy is not only used for open fractures, but also to treat severe dislocations.
- While a splint can support and cushion the toe, it does not protect the toe, so be careful not to trip it when walking.
- During treatment, it is important to ensure a diet rich in minerals, especially calcium, magnesium and boron, as well as vitamin D to help keep bones strong. [10] X Research Source
- After surgery, especially with a cast, severely broken toes can heal in six to eight weeks, depending on the location and extent of the injury. [11] X Research Sources After a long period of wearing a cast, you may need to rehabilitate your foot as described below.
- After a week or two, your doctor may order another X-ray to make sure the bones are in place and healing properly.
Handling Complications
- Your doctor will do a thorough examination and prescribe antibiotics if there are signs of infection.
- Your doctor may recommend a tetanus shot after a serious fracture from a stab wound or broken skin. [13] X Research Source
- Severe fractures are always associated with a risk of arthritis in the surrounding joints, but orthopedic insoles can reduce this risk.
- Other professionals who can also help with toe/foot rehabilitation are podiatrists and osteopathic specialists.
Advice
- You don’t need to be completely immobilized with a broken toe, but you should replace it with other activities that put less pressure on your feet, like swimming or lifting weights with your upper body.
- After ten days, switching from ice therapy to moist heat therapy (using a bag of rice or beans heated in the microwave) can help soothe sore toes and increase blood circulation.
- You can replace anti-inflammatory and pain relievers with acupuncture to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
- If you have diabetes or peripheral neuropathy (loss of sensation in your toes), you should not tape your toes together because you don’t know if the bandage is too tight or blistered.
Warning
- Do not use this article as a substitute for medical attention! Always seek the advice of a doctor.
This article was co-written by Laura Marusinec, MD. Marusinec is a licensed pediatrician at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, and she is a member of the Clinical Practice Council. She received her PhD from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine in 1995 and completed her residency at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine with a major in Pediatrics in 1998. She is a member of the American Medical Writers Association and the American Medical Writers Association. Children’s Emergency Care Association.
There are 9 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 45,825 times.
Toes are made up of small bones (called knuckles) that break easily when injured. Most toe fractures are called “pressure” or “fracture” fractures, meaning the cracks are superficial and not severe enough to dislocate or tear the skin. [1] X Source of Study More rarely, the toe can be crushed to the point where the bone breaks (fracture) or breaks completely out of place and protrudes through the skin (open fracture). Understanding the severity of your toe injury is important as it determines your treatment plan.
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