“Can I do anything for a broken toe?”
I stubbed my toe on a table and I think its broken. If it's broken, is there anything a doctor can do or will it heal on its own? Can I do anything for it at home?
4 Answers
It will heal on its own. Tape it to the adjacent toes.
Most of the time these injuries will heal uneventfully. However you should definitely have an examination by an orthopedic doctor or sports specialist and obtain x-rays. This will avoid long-term problems which may develop.
Most toe fractures heal on their own with treatment for symptoms (modified shoes, ice, ibuprofen, buddy tape). Less commonly, it can be an intra-articular fracture (in the joint) which may require surgery, so it's good to get an X-ray.
While a simple non-displaced fracture could be treated with buddy-taping and a hard sole shoe with wide toe box, it is important to see an orthopedic doctor or podiatrist for X-rays to make sure there is not a fracture that needs to be reduced or even fixed. A displaced fracture could lead to the toe healing in a position that will make shoe wear difficult, while a fracture that extends into the joint may sometimes require surgery to decrease the onset of arthritis and dysfunction.
Ron Noy, MD
Ron Noy, MD
