how long can you wait with broken toe to start treatment

How long does it take to heal a broken toe?

In children, a broken toe usually only needs to be taped for about three weeks. Adults should wear the bandage for four to five weeks until the pain subsides. If the deformity is still maintained, surgery may be necessary. The affected person may only apply painful pressure to the broken toe.

Should I go to the doctor for a broken toe?

If you can walk on it without pain or limping, it probably is not broken. If so, try icing the injury and taking an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication, Dr. King says. However, if severe pain or swelling persists, see a doctor. Also, observe your injured toe carefully, Dr. King says.

How long do you wear a walking boot for a broken toe?

If the break is a simple fracture, in which the parts of your bone are still lined up properly, your doctor will probably put you in a walking boot for about three weeks, Dr. King says. The walking boot keeps your toes immobile so the bones can knit back together in alignment.

What happens if you walk on a broken toe too soon?

Walking on the broken toe too soon can delay or prevent healing. This may cause pain for months or even years after the injury. Arthritis in the affected joint. A person may develop arthritis if the bone is broken near a joint in the toe and is not correctly aligned before it heals.

What happens if you leave a broken toe untreated?

A fractured toe that's left untreated can lead to infection You're at increased risk of developing a bone infection if you have diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or a compromised or weakened immune system. Symptoms that suggest your toe has developed a bone infection include: Fatigue.

When should you seek treatment for a broken toe?

You should, however, see a doctor for your broken toe if:The pain becomes worse and isn't relieved by normal painkillers.The swelling and bruising don't start to improve in a few days.There is an open wound associated with the break.More items...•

Will walking on a broken toe make it worse?

Although it may be possible to move and walk on your broken toe, you should avoid doing so as this can lead to even greater damage and prolonged healing time.

How do I know if my toe injury is serious?

See a doctor if:the toe is very swollen.the pain is severe and does not go away after several hours.it is difficult to walk or to put weight on the foot.the toenail falls off or the area around it is very swollen.there are signs of infection around the toenail, such as itching, redness, and pus.

Can a broken toe heal on its own?

Most broken toes will heal on their own with proper care at home. It can take 4 to 6 weeks for complete healing. Most pain and swelling will go away within a few days to a week.

Should you wrap a broken toe at night?

Never tape the toes together skin-to-skin. Your broken toe may need to be buddy-taped for 2 to 4 weeks to heal. Rest and protect your toe. Do not walk on it until you can do so without too much pain.

Should a broken toe still hurt after 2 weeks?

Your toe is likely to be tender and swollen, even after a few weeks. You'll likely need to avoid running, playing sports, or walking long distances for one to two months after your injury. Recovery time can be longer if the break is in one of the metatarsals.

Can you bend your toe if it's broken?

After the injury, pain, swelling, or stiffness can occur. Bruising of the skin around the toe may also be noticeable. The toe may not look normal, and it may even look bent or deformed if the broken bone is out of place.

How long does it take to walk with a broken big toe?

Broken big toe: 2-3 weeks in a walking boot or cast, then. 3-4 weeks in a stiff-soled shoe. Return to work and sport in 6-8 weeks is usual. Broken lesser toes, including broken pinky toe: Buddy strapping and use of a stiff-soled shoe. Walking when bearable.

How to get rid of a broken toe?

Make sure the tape isn't too tight. Also make sure you remove it and apply fresh tape and padding after washing your injured foot. Pain relief: take over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve the pain. Ibuprofen gel applied to the toe may be helpful if the skin isn't broken.

Why does my toe go numb?

The toe goes numb or tingly. This suggests pressure on, or damage to, the nerves to the toe (which run up the side of the toe, one on each side). The skin on the toes has turned blue (other than bruising) or grey and is cold to the touch when the other toes are not. The toe is bent at an angle or with an open wound.

What to do if your toe is swollen?

Ibuprofen gel applied to the toe may be helpful if the skin isn't broken. Protection: wear sturdy shoes with stiff soles, that don't squash or bend the toe. You can begin normal activity once the swelling has gone down and you're able to wear a protective shoe comfortably.

What does it mean when your toe is broken?

A broken (fractured) toe is a fairly common injury which usually needs no specific treatment . It is most often caused by dropping a heavy object on to your foot or badly stubbing your toe.

Why are toe bones so vulnerable?

However, toe bones are more vulnerable because they are small bones and because they are on the edge of the body, so are more likely to be injured in the first place. A broken little toe, caused by stubbing it, may be particularly common due to its position.

Why do you cast a broken big toe?

A broken (fractured) big toe may be put in a cast to support it, as it takes much more of your weight than the other toes and is also needed for balance. The big toe is more likely than the smaller toes to need surgery in order to heal properly and to be as strong as it was before you broke it.

What to take for a broken toe?

You can usually manage pain from a broken toe with over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). Your doctor may prescribe stronger painkillers if the pain from your fracture is more severe.

What to wear for toe swelling after surgery?

Wearing a stiff-bottomed shoe. Your doctor might prescribe a post-surgical shoe that has a stiff bottom and a soft top that closes with strips of fabric fastener. This can prevent your toe from flexing and provide more room to accommodate the swelling. Casting.

What is the best way to heal a broken bone?

Immobilization. To heal, a broken bone must be immobilized so that its ends can knit back together. Examples include: Buddy taping. If you have a simple fracture in any of your smaller toes, your doctor may tape the injured toe to its neighboring toe. The uninjured toe acts like a splint.

How to reduce swelling in foot?

Elevation and ice can help reduce swelling and pain. Prop your foot up when possible so that your injury is higher than your heart. If you use ice, wrap it in a towel so that it doesn't make direct contact with your skin, and only apply it for about 15 minutes at a time, taking a break of at least 20 minutes between icing sessions.

What to do if your toe is broken?

It’s mostly up to you to rest your toe and keep it stable. Even before you know whether your toe is broken, you should ice the injured toe and keep it elevated. You may also take over-the-counter painkillers, such as acetaminophen ( Tylenol ), ibuprofen ( Advil, Motrin ), or naproxen ( Aleve ).

How long does it take to walk after a toe fracture?

With a walking cast, you should be able to walk and resume most non-strenuous activities within a week or two after injuring your toe. The pain should diminish gradually if the bone is healing properly. If you feel any pain in your broken toe, stop the activity that’s causing the pain and tell your doctor.

What happens if your toe is broken?

A broken toe that doesn’t heal properly could lead to osteoarthritis, a painful condition that causes chronic pain in one or more joints. Your doctor will examine your toe and ask for your medical history. Tell your doctor as many details as you can ...

What happens if you stubbed your toe hard?

If you’ve ever stubbed your toe hard, the immediate, severe pain can leave you wondering if your toe is broken. In many cases, the injury winds up being a sprain. This is painful, but it means the bone itself is still intact. If the toe bone breaks into one or more pieces, then you have a broken toe. Learning to recognize the symptoms and treatment ...

Why does my toe break?

Causes. The two most common causes of a broken toe are stubbing it into something hard or having something heavy land on it. Going barefoot is a major risk factor, especially if you’re walking in the dark or in an unfamiliar environment.

How to tell if a break is a sprain or a break?

With a sprain, the pain may be felt in a more general area around the toe. The only way to tell for sure if the injury is a break or a sprain is to see your doctor.

How long does it take for a toe to heal after a toe injury?

You’ll likely need to avoid running, playing sports, or walking long distances for one to two months after your injury. Recovery time can be longer if the break is in one of the metatarsals.

What Are The Symptoms of a Broken Toe?

When you have a broken toe, you will experience pain, but other symptoms to expect are:

How Long Does a Broken Toe Take to Heal?

The first thing we want when we injure something is how long it will take to heal. When we fracture (or break) a toe, the length of time to heal will depend on how severely you injured your toe and the toe that broke.

When Should You See a Doctor?

The majority of the time, the healing of a toe can happen at home. The first indication that you should see a doctor is if the broken toe is the big toe. A broken big toe can lead to more serious issues.

Healing a Broken Toe

The most crucial aspect of healing a broken toe is resting appropriately. Don’t perform any physical activities that cause the pain to worsen. Keep the foot immobile and raised as much as possible.

Trusted Podiatrists

If the pain from a broken toe doesn’t start to subside after a couple of days, the podiatrists at Canyon Oaks Foot and Ankle are ready to provide the help you need. Contact us and let us bring relief quicker.

How long do you have to wear a walking boot after a fracture?

If the break is a simple fracture, in which the parts of your bone are still lined up properly, your doctor will probably put you in a walking boot for about three weeks , Dr. King says. The walking boot keeps your toes immobile so the bones can knit back together in alignment.

How to tell if you broke your toe?

Other clues to a broken toe include swelling, discoloration and bruising. If your toe is at a different angle than the toe on the other side — and it wasn’t before your injury — seek medical help right away, Dr. King says. Advertising Policy.

What to do if your toe is hurting?

If so, try icing the injury and taking an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication, Dr. King says. However, if severe pain or swelling persists, see a doctor. Also, observe your injured toe carefully, Dr. King says. If it has a deep cut or wound, your bone might be exposed to air and so should be evaluated by a physician.

What to do if your toe bone is dislocated?

Afterward, you may be required to wear a walking boot. If you have significant displacement or your toe is dislocated, you might need surgery to realign the bone.

Can you tap a broken toe?

Taping a suspect ed broken toe can help alleviate pain if the break is simple and the bones are aligned. However, this won’t help the break to heal correctly, so it’s important to see a doctor, Dr. King says. If you had a bad break, taping your toes could actually make things worse, he says. Advertising Policy.

Can a toe fracture cause arthritis?

King says. Even if it’s a simple fracture, your toe could heal improperly, which can cause problems down the road, such as arthritis.

How to tell if your toe is broken?

Symptoms of a broken toe include: pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty walking. 1. Prevent Swelling and Further Injury. Stay off the foot as much as possible. Avoid movement or pressure that causes pain. Apply ice up to 20 minutes at a time. Wrap it in a towel; do not apply directly to skin. Keep the foot elevated as often as possible, ...

What to do if your toe is bent?

For pain, take acetaminophen ( Tylenol) or ibuprofen ( Advil, Motrin ). 2. Get Help. If you have severe pain, can’t walk, the toe looks bent or deformed, or the pain lasts for a long time, see a doctor. 3.

How to treat a swollen foot after a foot injury?

Apply ice up to 20 minutes at a time. Wrap it in a towel; do not apply directly to skin. Keep the foot elevated as often as possible, especially the first 2 days after injury, to help control pain and swelling. For pain, take acetaminophen ( Tylenol) or ibuprofen ( Advil, Motrin ). 2.

How long does it take for a broken toe to heal?

The healing time depends, among other things, on the type of fracture (smooth, shattered, etc.). It takes about five to six weeks on average until the bone has healed. The toe can then be fully loaded again and no longer hurts.

How long should you wear a bandage on a broken toe?

In children, a broken toe usually only needs to be taped for about three weeks. Adults should wear the bandage for four to five weeks until the pain subsides. If the deformity is still maintained, surgery may be necessary. The affected person may only apply painful pressure to the broken toe.

How to tell if your toe is broken?

The good thing is that a broken toe shows symptoms that even laymen can easily recognize. For example, a broken toe is indicated by signs such as. Misalignment. intense pain. restricted mobility. Swelling. bluish to black discoloration under the nail or on the whole toe due to bruising (sometimes) If the big toe is broken, the symptoms are ...

What are the risks of a broken toe?

Fractured toe – risks: including comminuted fracture, compartment syndrome, soft tissue damage, nail bed injury. When to see a doctor? Always have a (supposedly) broken toe examined by a doctor to prevent any permanent damage (such as malpositioning).

What is a closed toe fracture?

A closed toe fracture is present if the soft tissue layers above the fracture are not injured. Sometimes the fragments of the broken toe are displaced (dislocated) and/or bone rubbing is heard when the toe is moved carefully. An X-ray examination is necessary for a clear diagnosis.

Why is my big toe bluish?

bluish to black discoloration under the nail or on the whole toe due to bruising (sometimes) If the big toe is broken , the symptoms are the same as for the other toes. However, this is the most problematic form of toe fracture, as the big toe carries the most weight.

How to help a broken toe?

What you can do to help yourself or, as a first responder, someone else is. Cooling: Wrap an ice pack or cool pack in a cloth and hold it gently on the broken toe. This can relieve pain and swelling. Immobilize: Move the broken toe as little as possible and do not put any weight on it (i.e. do not step on it and walk).

How long does it take for a broken toe to heal?

Following surgery, and especially with the help of a cast, severely broken toes take six to eight weeks to heal, depending on the location and extent of the injury.

What to do if your toe is broken?

If more than one toe is broken or other bones of the forefoot are injured (such as the metatarsals), then your doctor might apply a plaster or fiberglass cast to your entire foot . Short-leg walking casts are also recommended if the fragments won't stay snugly together.

How to make a splint for toes?

To make a simple, homemade splint for additional support, place trimmed Popsicle sticks on both sides of your toes before taping them together. If you're unable to tape your own toes, then ask your family doctor, specialist, chiropractor, podiatrist or physical therapist for assistance. ...

What does it mean when your toe is bent?

In contrast, a mangled, bent, or deformed toe is usually a sign of a more serious fracture and best left to trained professionals. The smallest toe (5th) and the biggest (1st) are fractured more often than the other toes.

How to treat a toe injury?

2. Take over-the-counter medications. Your doctor may recommend anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin, or regular analgesics (painkillers) such as acetaminophen to help combat the inflammation and pain associated with your toe injury. [6]

How to improve foot biomechanics after a broken toe?

2. Wear shoe orthotics. Orthotics are customized shoe inserts that support the arch of your foot and promote better biomechanics while walking and running. Following a broken toe, especially if the big toe is involved, your gait and foot biomechanics may be negatively altered from limping and avoiding toeing off.

What is a broken toe called?

Most broken toes are called "stress" or "hairline" fractures, which means a small surface crack that's not serious enough to misalign the bones or break the skin's surface.

What to do if you hit something on your toe?

If you stub, hit, or drop something on your toe and you experience bruising and/or swelling, please consult your doctor as soon as possible. The bone may be fractured and the only way to confirm that is by visiting a physician and possibly have an x-ray done.

How long does it take for a bone to heal?

It’s good to have a timeline and know the bone should healing in 6-8 weeks. However, not being able to move during my long overdue, and much more anticipated, vacation felt like a huge disappointment. I was told to not put any weight on my foot for at least 6 weeks.

Is it hard to work out after a toe injury?

Yes, it’s been extremely hard to not work out and exercise. But, one thing that’s been really helping me cope with this is to consider the healing phase as a crucial time to allow my toe to heal properly so I can go back and train again without any future complications.

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