“What do I do for a broken toe?”
I hit my toe hard in my apartment, and now I think it's broken. I'm still walking on it, which might be a bad idea because it's painful, but I don't really want to go to the ER for it. Will it heal on its own? What can I do?
9 Answers
Buddy tape it.
You don't have to go the ER. You should go to an orthopedic foot and ankle specialist (and MD not a DPM). They can promptly get you X-rays and decide if it is broken, and if so, what needs to be done. In most cases, a hard shoe, a cast, and time (and maybe some tape) is all that is needed, but you wouldn't want to miss something that could result in long term pain or deformity (a hammertoe, etc).
As long as the toe is pointing in the right direction and looks straight, then it will heal and probably end up pain-free.
For small/ lesser toes, place small amount of guaze( cotton) padding between the toe & a “ neighbor toe” . Then “ buddy tape the 2 toes together, not too tightly or it will be painful when your weight is on your foot.
If it is your Great toe, you should go to a “ doc in a box “ walk in clinic & get an X-ray...Good Luck
If it is your Great toe, you should go to a “ doc in a box “ walk in clinic & get an X-ray...Good Luck
Tape it to an adjacent toe and wear a hard soled shoe that prevents it from flexing up and down. When it stops hurting and the swelling resolves, you can slowly resume normal activity. If it appears twisted, bent, or otherwise deformed, go to an urgent care or your personal physician to have it treated.
Most toe fractures heal fine with rest and a hard soled shoe.
Always a good idea to X-ray your foot and make sure it is not a displaced fracture. Rarely do these need surgery but still worth checking. You can usually get an appointment with an Orthopaedic surgeon and they will let you know the treatment plan.
Yes it will heal on its own. Taping the toe to the adjacent toe is a good way to avoid the toe from healing crooked which is the only complication that usually results in surgery for toe fractures
You’d better go to the ER and take an X-ray.
