Broken toes are extremely painful, and they are usually a result of a severe impact or trauma such as stubbing the toe or having something fall on it. However, stress fractures, which are small hairline fractures that occur from overuse, may also develop in the toes. Common signs of a broken toe include severe pain that starts at the moment of trauma, rapid swelling, bruising and deformity. While treatment options for a broken toe generally start with resting and icing the toe, patients who may have broken their toe should consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. A podiatrist will be able to take an X-ray of the toe to tell if it is broken and suggest more in depth treatment options such as surgery, buddy taping (taping the broken toe to a healthy toe next to it), or, in some cases, a walking boot.

A broken toe can be very painful and lead to complications if not properly fixed. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Eastern Carolina Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What to Know About a Broken Toe

Although most people try to avoid foot trauma such as banging, stubbing, or dropping heavy objects on their feet, the unfortunate fact is that it is a common occurrence. Given the fact that toes are positioned in front of the feet, they typically sustain the brunt of such trauma. When trauma occurs to a toe, the result can be a painful break (fracture).

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Throbbing pain
• Swelling
• Bruising on the skin and toenail
• The inability to move the toe
• Toe appears crooked or disfigured
• Tingling or numbness in the toe

Generally, it is best to stay off of the injured toe with the affected foot elevated.

Severe toe fractures may be treated with a splint, cast, and in some cases, minor surgery. Due to its position and the pressure it endures with daily activity, future complications can occur if the big toe is not properly treated.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Greenville, NC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.