Rebecca Smith
How Do You Treat A Broken Toe – If you’ve ever dropped a heavy object on your toe, you know how painful it can be. This kind of trauma is just one way you can break one or more bones in one or more of your toes.
If a toe is broken, it is important to get medical attention as soon as possible to reduce the pain, prevent further damage and start the healing process quickly.
How Do You Treat A Broken Toe
Sometimes it is obvious that the toe is broken, such as a compound fracture or dislocation and visible deformity.
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Most of the time, however, people don’t know their toe is actually broken until they see a doctor and get an X-ray.
If you feel or see any of the following signs, you likely have a broken toe and need treatment:
If you suspect you have a broken toe, there are several things you can do to relieve pain and reduce swelling before you see a doctor:
How we treat a broken finger depends primarily on which finger is broken and how badly it is injured.
Urgent Care For Broken Toes
You may need a tetanus shot and also antibiotics if the bone pierces the skin or there is an open wound.
Most broken toes heal completely if treated properly. If you suspect you have a broken toe, schedule an appointment with our team today.
We also understand that you want to solve the problem as quickly and easily as possible.
Jaws Podiatry is a premier family-owned, Level 5 Foot Cosmetic Institution led by the founder of South Florida’s acclaimed Minimally Invasive Aesthetic Foot and Ankle Surgery (MIFAS), Dr. Abraham Wagner, DPM. It is a common misconception that broken toes cannot be repaired and will heal on their own. In fact, not treating a broken toe can lead to complications that not only prolong the healing process, but can also cause permanent damage.
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When a broken toe is not stabilized, the bone can heal improperly, which can lead to limited mobility of the toe. In addition, the shoes may not fit comfortably and your gait or walking pattern may change. This can lead to other complications unrelated to the broken toe, such as ankle, knee and back problems.
Also, broken parts of the bone may end up healing so poorly that surgery may be necessary. This invasive procedure can be avoided if the broken toe is treated properly.
In some cases, a broken finger can lead to immediate and later complications, such as a hematoma forming under the nail or an open/compound fracture where the broken bone protrudes through the skin. Any open wound, such as a compound fracture, should be treated immediately to reduce the risk of infection.
The biggest risk of leaving a broken toe untreated is the possibility that it could lead to chronic arthritis. This joint disease is caused by swollen and inflamed joints, and poorly healing toe joints are ideal places for arthritis. Chronic arthritis is a painful condition and can cause discomfort and stiffness that affects daily activities, such as walking, for the rest of your life. Although arthritis pain can be relieved with medication, arthritis cannot be cured, so it is important to prevent this condition while minimizing the risk of developing one.
When To See A Doctor
If a broken toe is treated, it can take about six weeks to heal properly. Treatment varies depending on the severity of the fracture, but may include stabilization of the big toe, casting or splinting, and additional treatment for open fractures. Other treatments can be used at home after treatment, including plenty of rest and elevating the broken toe off the injured leg.
The prognosis for a broken toe can be very good if it is treated. Simple fractures usually heal without further problems, while severe fractures can sometimes cause long-term residual problems such as stiffness, deformity, and chronic pain or tenderness.
Remember that a broken finger may not always look broken. This is why treating all types of foot injuries with a podiatrist is so important to reduce or prevent long-term damage.
To schedule an appointment with one of our podiatrists for a foot exam, click here or call one of our convenient offices in the Piedmont Triad.
You Shouldn’t Let A Broken Toe Heal On Its Own
The information and other content in our blogs, videos or other linked content or materials are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor are they a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. For the full Disclaimer, click here.
Broken heel? You have a heel fracture What exactly is an ingrown toenail? Got a broken finger? Broken Finger vs Sprained Finger: What’s the Difference? I broke/strained my left big toe last November. Lying in the hospital emergency room waiting for the NSAIDs to start, I did the obvious and started checking the herbal preparations available from my herbalist and checking some TCM reference books for fracture treatment protocols – yes, I have them. on my phone for your help. It was also partly to keep me out of pain. Breaking even such a small bone was painful; after the shot i got from the hospital wore off that night i woke up gasping for air and crying. So while I love what acupuncture and TCM can do to heal the body, and have written this case study to highlight it, I have never underestimated the need for pain medication in acute care.
Anyway, breaking a toe sucks, but I was excited to use myself as a case study for mid to late fracture recovery because I rarely see recent fractures in my clinic. I wrote this assuming that if you are reading this, you are an acupuncturist, some sort of TCM practitioner, or a TCM student. Otherwise, it reads heavy jargon, but you can still be ok with the ride. Unless you like legs, in which case you should ignore this one.
Content Warning: This article contains close-ups of my injured toes, x-rays and acupuncture treatments.
How To Treat A Broken Toe
Chief complaint: left big toe (big toe bone) broken, fractured when a 25 kg metal plate was dropped on it
Western diagnosis: fracture of distal first phalanx; GP consults orthopedist, determines unnecessary/possible surgery (too many small bone fragments)
Other information: X-ray taken to confirm the damage, no other bones; told to stay still and rest until orthopedic appointment (2 weeks after injury), prescribed naproxen (an anti-inflammatory) for pain
Body temperature, skin, sweating: New pimples (last 3 months), cheeks and chin, nodules, mild redness, started with severe stress
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Sleep: Irregular sleep schedule +1 year, wakes up late, needs 8-10 hours of sleep to feel rested, sleep disturbances (no insomnia), uses cannabis food (indica) as an occasional aid, liquid melatonin has also worked in the past
Period: currently 24/31 expected cycles, average 4.5 days off, heavy 1-2 days, fresh red color, medium red lumps on heavy days, PMS = very heavy fatigue on day 1 or both for about 6 hours, no cramps (I’ve them before!)
Tongue: Swollen TM on sides and front, pink body, thick dirty patina on back
Big toe 2 days after fracture. Very swollen, very sore, and a nice big blister is starting to form at the injury site.
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I chose two different TCM herbal preparations for medium to advanced fracture healing because I knew they wouldn’t arrive for about two weeks; I am still trying to increase the herbal supply in my clinic and I do not have acute phase herbs (first 48-72 hours).
The first herbal formula I chose, called Osteo8, was for strengthening bones, primarily to supplement kidney jing (essence). This makes it excellent for fracture recovery and protects against long-term degenerative diseases such as osteoporosis. In Western medicine terms, many of the herbs in this formula have osteogenic and osteoprotective effects that help increase bone mass and density. Others are angiogenic (promote the formation of blood vessels) and aid in wound healing and tissue regeneration.
The other formula I chose – Flex MLT – focuses more on supporting soft tissue recovery and promoting joints. Can be used for soft tissue injuries or to protect joints/cartilage from wear and tear caused by repetitive movements. It is intended for the mid to late stages of injury as some herbs can be harmful if severe acute pain and inflammation are still present. The herbs in this formula have chondroprotective properties (delays joint space narrowing) and osteogenic properties (promotes bone formation). Some herbs also have neuroregenerative (stimulate the growth/healing of nerve tissue), analgesic (pain-relieving) and anti-inflammatory properties.
Between these two formulas are many herbs that enter the liver and kidneys. The liver is responsible for the free flow of Qi and controls the muscles, e.g. tendons, ligaments, fascia – making them key organs to overcome soft tissue