Ouch! You were going about your business when…BAM—you sustain a toe injury. While your immediate reaction to the throbbing pain and swelling might have you wondering, is my toe broken? Here’s what you should know:
Signs Your Toe May Be Broken
An injury to your feet or toes may leave you limping and in a lot of pain but it is not necessarily an indication of a broken bone. Often times, sprains can hurt just as bad (if not worse) than breaks. If you have sustained an injury to your toe and suspect it might be broken, here are some of the telltale symptoms to look out for:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- Tingling
- Numbness
- Bruising
- Deformity
- Difficulty Walking
When to Seek Medical Attention
The only way to ensure that your toe is not broken is to visit a medical professional and get an X-Ray or appropriate medical examination. It is especially important to seek medical care if you have an open fracture where there is exposed bone, excessive bleeding, marked deformity or if you are experiencing coldness and numbness. Depending on the severity of the injury, some breaks will require the toe to be put back in place while some may require surgery if there are multiple breaks.
My Toes is Broken…Now What?
If a medical examination determines that your toe is broken, there are lots of things you can do to decrease your pain and start the healing process. Start by elevating your foot to increase the blood flow. Make sure to stay off your foot as much as possible and utilize ice packs to decrease the swelling. Over-the-counter pain medication can be taken to ease the pain as well. If the fracture is severe, buddy taping is an easy way to help splint a broken toe.
