What treatment is used for a broken toe?
Usually, you can treat a broken toe by taping it to a neighboring toe. But if the fracture is severe — particularly if it involves your big toe — you may need a cast or even surgery to ensure proper healing.Nov 3, 2020
Can the hospital do anything for a broken toe?
Overview. A broken or fractured toe can be very painful, but isn't usually serious and can often be treated at home. Most will heal in 4 to 6 weeks. More severe breaks may take longer to heal and may need treatment in hospital.Mar 9, 2022
What happens if you leave a broken toe untreated?
Broken toes that don't heal properly increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis or permanent nerve damage down the line. The right treatment with a foot and toe expert helps ensure your broken toe heals the right way so you can resume your normal activities without worrying about complications.
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.
What is a broken toe?
A broken toe is often the result of a painful and significant event, such as falling, stubbing the toe very hard, or dropping an object on the toe. These types of breaks are known as traumatic fractures. Traumatic fractures can range from minor to severe.
What does it mean when a toe is displaced?
A displaced fracture means the broken bone has moved out of place. This may occur with more severe traumatic fractures. A displaced fracture in the toe can cause the toe to appear crooked. In some cases, a displaced fracture may break the skin and result in the bone protruding out of a wound.
Why does my toe crack?
Without the support of the muscle, the toe bone becomes vulnerable to pressure and impact. Too much stress on the bone eventually causes it to crack. Symptoms of a stress fracture in the toe include: pain that occurs after activities such as walking or running. pain that goes away with rest.
What does it mean when you hear a pop?
Traumatic fractures can range from minor to severe. Sometimes, a person hears a “pop” or “crack” sound as the bone breaks, but this is not always the case. The symptoms of a traumatic fracture will begin immediately after the event, and may include: pain that does not go away with rest. throbbing. bruising.
Can you walk on a broken toe?
Symptoms of a broken toe will vary from person to person. Some people may be able to continue walking on the toe after a break, while others may find the pain debilitating. Factors that can affect symptoms of a broken toe include:
What is stress fracture?
Stress fractures are usually small hairline breaks that occur after repeated stress on the bone. They are a type of overuse injury and often occur in bones of the legs and feet.
Can a broken toe cause pain?
A broken toe that is left untreated can cause: Long-term pain in the toe. Broken bones can cause ongoing pain if they are not allowed to heal properly. 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.
What is a broken toe?
A broken (fractured) toe is an injury normally caused by either dropping a heavy object on the toe or stubbing the toe hard. Generally it takes quite a lot of force to break a bone. 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.
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.
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.
How long should I ice my toe?
Ice: beyond 72 hours ice is no longer beneficial. Hold an ice pack to the toe for 15-20 minutes every one to two hours for the first couple of days. See the separate leaflet called Heat and Ice Treatment for Pain for more information. Elevation: this means sitting or lying with your foot up, as high as is comfortable.
Can you treat a broken toe at home?
Broken toe treatment depends on which toe you have injured and how badly. If your broken (fractured) toe is not displaced, it is not your big toe and the skin is not broken then you may be able to manage it at home yourself, as long as none of the conditions above apply.
Is it painful to break a bone?
Breaking a bone (fracture), as long as your nerves work properly, is a very painful injury. Broken bones bleed, so the area will swell quickly. It will eventually bruise as the blood travels through to the skin. You may be able to see blood beneath the toenail. In addition, the two ends of the broken bone may be out of line (displaced), ...
How long does it take for a broken big toe to heal?
The broken toe healing time is not as long as many other fracture injuries, with most broken toes healed in the space of 4 to 6 weeks. This can be prolonged where there are complications but can also be decreased with the right treatment for broken big toe injuries, like physiotherapy.
What happens if you break your big toe?
Treatment for Broken Big Toe guide. Any fracture sustained to the foot can be a disabling injury, interrupting your daily routine and causing you to make sacrifices when it comes to work and your hobbies. Breaking your big toe is especially bad; the symptoms mean that it can be incredibly painful, and the area is likely to be bruised ...
Can you recover from a broken big toe?
You don’t need to suffer alone during recovery when you could be eligible to receive expert private treatment for broken big toe injuries near your home. From recovery support in the form of medical supplies, to help with your wellbeing and rehabilitation in the form of orthopaedic services and physiotherapy, there are many wonderful medical services and options available.
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.
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.
What is a severe injury?
A severe injury implies that there is an obvious fracture , dislocation of a joint, prolonged swelling, or prolonged or severe pain. Serious injuries may require more intensive treatment and possibly surgery.
What is the best way to reduce swelling in ankle?
Compression of an injured or painful ankle, knee, or wrist helps to reduce the swelling. 4 Elastic bandages, such as ACE wraps, are most commonly used. Special boots, air casts, and splints can serve a dual purpose of compression and support. Your doctor should make a recommendation and discuss your options.
What is R.I.C.E. treatment?
The R.I.C.E. treatment is recommended by health professionals for the early treatment of bone injury or acute soft tissue injuries such as a sprain or strain. It can be helpful for sports injuries, closed fractures, and degenerative joint problems. 1 . 1:18.
How often should I apply ice to my face?
You can apply ice for 20 minutes at a time and as frequently as every hour. 4 If you prefer, apply it four to eight times a day. You can use a cold gel pack or a plastic bag filled with ice, but do not apply a bag of ice directly to the skin.
How long should you leave ice on your skin?
Often, gel packs or cold packs sold for this purpose have a cover provided. Don't leave the ice on your injury for more than 20 minutes at a time or you could damage your skin.
How to get rid of swelling in the heart?
4 This provides a downward path for draining fluid back to the heart, which may reduce swelling and pain. Try to elevate the entire limb 6 to 10 inches above the heart so there is a complete downhill path.
Who is Carol Eustice?
Carol Eustice is a writer covering arthritis and chronic illness, who herself has been diagnosed with both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Jonathan Cluett, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with subspecialty training in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery. The R.I.C.E. treatment is recommended by health professionals for ...
Step 1: Rest
Pain is your body’s signal that something is wrong. As soon as you’re hurt, stop your activity, and rest as much as possible for the first 2 days. Don’t try to follow the “no pain, no gain” philosophy. Doing so with certain injuries, like a moderate to severe ankle sprain, can make the damage worse and delay your recovery.
Step 2: Ice
Ice is a tried-and-true tool for reducing pain and swelling. Apply an ice pack (covered with a light, absorbent towel to help prevent frostbite) for 15-20 minutes every two to three hours during the first 24 to 48 hours after your injury. Don’t have an ice pack? A bag of frozen peas or corn will work just fine.
Step 3: Compression
This means wrapping the injured area to prevent swelling. Wrap the affected area with an elastic medical bandage (like an ACE bandage). You want it to be snug but not too tight -- if it’s too tight, it’ll interrupt blood flow. If the skin below the wrap turns blue or feels cold, numb, or tingly, loosen the bandage.
Step 4: Elevation
This means raising the sore body part above the level of your heart. Doing so reduces pain, throbbing, and swelling. It’s not as tricky to do as you might think. For example, if you have an ankle sprain, you can prop your leg up on pillows while sitting on the sofa.
Treatments Used With RICE
Your doctor may suggest using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (like ibuprofen or naproxen) along with the RICE treatment. These are available over the counter and by prescription. Talk to your doctor about your health history before taking these medications.
