Medication
- Rinse the mouth with warm water or saltwater
- Apply pressure to stop the bleeding
- Use an ice pack to help reduce any swelling
- Take acetaminophen for pain relief (do not take aspirin, which could increase the bleeding)
- Avoid chewing on the affected side of the mouth
- Avoid hard foods like hard candy
Procedures
Treatments for a broken toe include:
- Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE): The RICE method is useful for many types of injuries, including broken toes. ...
- Buddy taping: This involves wrapping the toe and taping it to the adjacent toe to keep it supported and protected.
- A post-surgery shoe or boot: These devices have a stiff sole that allows a person to walk without bending the toe. ...
Therapy
Here are some tips on healing a broken toe, from the team at Entire Podiatry:
- Use ice to reduce pain, inflammation and swelling as soon as possible after sustaining a toe injury. ...
- Keep off your affected foot as much as possible and avoid putting pressure on it. ...
- Consider taking an anti-inflammatory pain medication such as Nurofen. ...
Self-care
What Exercises Can You Do With a Broken Toe?
- Strengthening Exercises. Seated upper-body strengthening exercises don't engage your lower body, removing any strain on your foot and toe.
- Outdoor Options. If it's not too painful, an outing on your bike maintains your cardio goals. ...
- Exercises At The Gym. ...
- Core Exercises. ...
See more
What is the best treatment for a broken tooth?
What is the best treatment for a broken toe?
What is the healing time for a broken toe?
What exercises can you do with a broken toe?
Can a broken pinky 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 I go to the doctor for a broken toe?
If you think you broke your toe, it's best to have your doctor look at it. Even though you can often treat it yourself, a broken toe can sometimes lead to more serious problems, like infection, arthritis, or long-term foot pain.
How do I know if my toe is broken or just bruised?
How do I know if my toe is broken or just bruised? A bruise on the bone can feel similar to a break, Dr. King says. “The most obvious sign that it's a fracture is if the painful toe is pointing in a different direction than your other toes.
Can you walk on a broken pinky toe?
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 pinky toe is broken?
The most common symptoms of a broken pinky toe include:a popping sound when the injury occurs.throbbing pain that's immediate and may fade after a few hours.difficulty putting weight on your foot.pinky toe seeming out of alignment.swelling and bruising.burning.a damaged toenail.
What would a broken toe look like?
Broken Toe Symptoms 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. It may be difficult to walk because of the pain, especially if the big toe is fractured. Shoes may be painful to wear or feel too tight.
How do you wrap a broken pinky toe?
Place a small piece of cotton or gauze in between the little toe and the toe next to it to prevent sores or blisters, and then loosely tape the toes together. The tape can be removed for bathing and put back on afterwards. Toes may need to be buddy taped for up to four weeks to heal.
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.
How to prevent toe break?
Injuries and accidents are not always avoidable, but the following steps may help minimize the risk of breaking a toe: Avoid wearing non-supportive shoes, such as flip-flops. Flip-flops offer little support to the foot, which can cause unnecessary strain on the muscles and bones.
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.
Why does walking on a broken toe hurt?
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.
How to prevent toe fractures?
Improve balance and posture. Regular physical activity, including strength training and balance exercises, can reduce the risk of slips and falls that result in toe fractures. Keep diabetes under control. People with diabetes are at risk of neuropathy, which damages the nerves in the feet.
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.
How long does it take to heal a broken toe?
The recovery will usually last anywhere from four to six weeks, so it would be a good idea to arm yourself with patience. In the following paragraphs we will discuss some of the most common symptoms of a broken toe and treatment procedure you can apply yourself, at home, so don’t go anywhere just yet.
How to tell if you have a broken toe?
Symptoms And Signs Of A Broken Little Toe And How Do You Know If You`ve Broken It 1 Swelling – swelling is our body`s natural reaction to injury, so there is nothing to worry about. It is caused by the fluid build-up in the injured region, which protects it from making the injury worse 2 Temperature and redness – if you`ve broken your little toe, there is a chance you will develop a fever, but it is just body`s way of dealing with it. Redness may also appear in the injured area 3 Deformation – in more severe injuries, you might notice a slight deformation in your little toe – it may stick out at a certain angle 4 Bruising – this is probably the most common fracture symptom. The main cause of bruising is the blood`s inability to clot and, as a result, your toe can change color – turn dark red, blue or even black 5 Fever
How do you know if you broke your little toe?
That being said, the most common symptoms of a broken little toe are: Pain – bone break, a fracture, is a condition where the bone cracks (I`m sure most of you know this), and since there are a lot of nerve endings and soft tissue surrounding the bone, you will experience a certain amount of pain, depending on the severity of the injury.
What are the bones in the toe called?
Our toes consist of bones called phalanges. Each toe consists of three phalanges, with the exception of the big toe, which consists of “only” two. The bones in fingers also bear the same name. The bones in the fingers and toes were first called “phalanges” by the Greek philosopher-scientist Aristotle because they are arranged in ranks, ...
Why does my toe turn black?
Bruising – this is probably the most common fracture symptom. The main cause of bruising is the blood`s inability to clot and, as a result, your toe can change color – turn dark red, blue or even black. Fever.
Why does my little toe get red?
It is caused by the fluid build-up in the in jured region , which protects it from making the injury worse. Temperature and redness – if you`ve broken your little toe, there is a chance you will develop a fever, but it is just body`s way of dealing with it. Redness may also appear in the injured area.
Can you treat a broken toe at home?
Before we go any further, I feel the need to point out that a broken toe can be treated at home, but you should attempt to treat it only if you`ve had an injury and feel pain as a result of it. On the other hand, if you start experiencing swelling, pain and redness and you know for a fact you did not injure your toe, you should speak to your doctor, especially if you are suffering from diabetes.
What to do after a broken little toe?
A professional physiotherapist can help you to plan tailored exercises to regain strength and mobility going forwards.
How to tell if your little toe is broken?
The following symptoms can identify most cases of a broken little toe: Pain that does not lessen after a couple of days. Redness and bruising. Swelling and tenderness. Trouble putting weight on the toe or walking. Once the doctor is sure that your little toe is broken, they may suggest common treatments for a broken little toe; like a cast, ...
How long does it take for a broken toe to heal?
Normally it takes around 4 to 6 weeks for a broken toe to heal, with the right treatment for broken little toe injuries. Afterwards, physiotherapy may be required if the injury was severe.
How long does it take to call a medical expert for a broken toe?
A call to Medical Expert on 020 3870 4868 only takes 30 seconds of your time, and our friendly team will ensure that you get all the information you need about treatment for broken little toe injuries. Benefit from a healthier, safer, and faster recovery, by calling our team today.
Can you get medical treatment for a broken little toe?
Many people don’t realise that private medical treatment for broken little toe injuries is also an option. The treatment available can help to reduce the healing time of most little toe breaks, from a broken 4th toe, to a broken pinky toe.
Is it bad to break a little toe?
While a broken little toe may seem like nothing serious, any fractured bone can cause ongoing problems without the right treatment.
Can a broken little toe be mistaken for a sprained toe?
There are multiple options for treatment for broken little toe injuries, but first it is important to identify whether or not your toe is actually broken. Just like with a sprained big toe vs. broken big toe, the symptoms of a broken little toe can be very easy to mistake with a sprained toe or even a stubbed pinky toe.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
How to treat a broken toe?
1. Remove your shoes and socks, if necessary. Treating your broken toe within the first 24 hours of the injury is crucial to ensuring it does not get infected or become too swollen. Take off any constricting items on your toes, such as socks or shoes.
How to heal a broken pinky toe?
Rest and elevation will help your pinky toe to heal. If your feet get cold, use a light blanket over your feet like a tent so there is very little pressure on your broken toe. Ice the toe for 10 – 20 minutes. For the first 24 hours of the injury, you should ice your toe to reduce swelling and pain.
How to help a toe that is numb?
After the first day, place a cotton ball between your pinky and the next toe, then tape the 2 toes together. This will help support your pinky while it heals.
How long does it take for a pinky toe to heal?
A broken toe may appear swollen and bruised, and it may feel painful when you walk on it. Most broken pinky toes heal on their own within six weeks and do not require immediate medical attention beyond an exam to make sure it has not been seriously fractured.
Why does my pinky toe hurt?
This article has been viewed 91,698 times. Your pinky toe is the smallest toe on the outer edge of your foot and can become injured due to tripping, falling, stubbing it on something, or dropping something on it. A broken toe may appear swollen and bruised, and it may feel painful when you walk on it. Most broken pinky toes heal on their own within ...
How to get rid of pinky toe swelling?
Sit down on a comfortable, stable surface. Place your foot on a stack of pillows or on a chair. Raise the leg to above your waist to reduce the swelling on your pinky toe. [2]
How to know if your toe is exposed?
Once your toe is exposed, examine it to ensure no bones have broken through your skin. You should look closely to make sure your toe is still pointing in the right direction, despite the break, and does not appear blueish or feel numb to the touch. These are all indications that it is safe to treat the toe at home.
How long does it take for a broken toe to heal?
Healing of a broken toe may take 6–8 weeks. A person may need to have their broken toe buddy taped to an adjacent one. Wearing a stiff-soled shoe can also help, as can using crutches to help keep weight off of the toe while it heals. Rarely, a person may need to wear a cast to keep the foot immobile.
Why is it important to seek medical attention for a broken pinky toe?
Therefore, any damage to it can cause issues. It is important to seek medical attention if a person suspects a broken toe, as it can get worse without treatment.
What is a bunion on the pinky toe called?
Bunion. A bunion is a painful, bony bump on the toe joint. A bunion on the pinky toe is called a tailor’s bunion. Historically, this name comes from the tailors who sat cross-legged all day, with the outside edge of their feet rubbing on hard surfaces.
How to tell if a pinky toe is broken?
Swelling is a common symptom of a broken pinky toe. The most common symptoms of a broken pinky toe include: a snapping, grinding, or popping noise at the time of the break. pain at the place of impact at the time the fracture occurs. the toe appearing to be crooked. redness, bruising, and swelling. If there is an open wound, a person should seek ...
What is a pinky toe?
The pinky toe is a commonly broken toe , and the fracture usually occurs at its base. This article looks at the symptoms of a broken small toe, along with some other problems that can cause pain and swelling in the area. It also examines the treatment and management options for this injury.
What is the smallest toe?
What to know about a broken smallest toe. A broken pinky toe is a fracture of the smallest toe. The term “broken toe” usually describes a traumatic fracture, which can occur due to a direct blow or impact, such as stubbing the toe or dropping something on it. The pinky toe is a commonly broken toe, and the fracture usually occurs at its base.
How does the pinky toe work?
The pinky toe works with the rest of the toes to keep a person balanced. A person’s foot works in a tripod fashion to keep them balanced, with the little toe being one part, the big toe another, and the heel the third. Sustaining damage to any part of this tripod can affect a person’s range of motion.
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?
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 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 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.