John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Depending on the location and severity of the toe fracture, the fracture may
need to be put back into place (reduced) and splinted or casted. If there is an
open wound near the injured toe, a tetanus shot and antibiotic medication may
also be necessary.
If there is an open (compound) fracture of the toe, surgery may be necessary
in some cases, and antibiotics will be given. This type of fracture should be
seen by a doctor immediately.
Medications
Usually only acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen
(Motrin) is needed for
pain. For a severe fracture, the doctor may prescribe a stronger pain
medication.
Other therapy (reduction, buddy taping, how to tape a broken toe, casting)
Reduction
If the toe fracture is displaced (the two ends of the broken toe bone are
out of place) or rotated (the toe is pointing in the wrong direction), the
doctor may need to reduce it, or set the broken toe back into place.
Sometimes local anesthesia may be needed to numb the
toe before it is put back into place.
After a reduction, a splint will be applied to the broken toe to hold it in
place while it heals.
Buddy taping
If there is a minor or small fracture in a bone of one of the small toes, a
doctor may only need to tape the injured toe to the one next to it for support.
This treatment is called buddy taping.
If the toe is buddy taped, it is usually safe to bathe, and then replace
the tape afterward, however, check with the doctor prior to removing the tape to
bathe.
How to tape a broken toe
Put a small piece of cotton or gauze between the
toes that are taped together. This prevents the skin between the toes from
developing sores or blisters. Using as little tape as necessary, loosely tape
the broken toe to the toe next to it. If the toes are taped too tightly it can
cause additional swelling and may cut off
circulation to the injured toe.
Casting
A cast is usually not required for a simple toe fracture. A hard-soled,
sturdy, and supportive shoe should be worn. A doctor may give the patient a special shoe to
wear if the foot or toes are very swollen.
A cast (or surgery) may be needed if the big toe is
broken, a fracture involves a joint, several small toe fractures occur at once,
or if a bone in the foot or leg is broken in addition to the toe.
Foot pain may be caused by injuries (sprains, strains, bruises, and fractures), diseases (diabetes, Hansen disease, and gout), viruses, fungi, and bacteria (plantar warts and athlete's foot), or even ingrown toenails. Pain and tenderness may be accompanied by joint looseness, swelling, weakness, discoloration, and loss of function. Minor foot pain can usually be treated with rest, ice, compression, and elevation and OTC medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Severe pain should be treated by a medical professional.
A hematoma is a collection of blood that is outside a blood vessel. There are different areas where hematomas occur including the inside the skull, scalp, ear, septum, bones, finger and toenails, and intra-abdominal. Treatment for hematomas depend on the type and location of the hematoma.
Fractures occur when bone cannot withstand the outside forces applied to the bone. Fractures can be open or closed. Types of fractures include: greenstick, spiral, comminuted, transverse, compound, or vertebral compression. Common fractures include: stress fracture, compression fracture, rib fracture, and skull fracture. Treatment depends upon the type of fracture.
A bruise, or contusion, is caused when blood vessels are damaged or broken as the result of a blow to the skin. The raised area of a bump or bruise results from blood leaking from these injured blood vessels into the tissues as well as from the body's response to the injury. Treatments include applying an ice pack and pressure to the area by hand.
An injury to a ligament is called a sprain, and an injury to muscle or tendon is called a strain. Sprains and strains may be caused by repetitive movements or a single stressful incident. Symptoms include pain and swelling. Though treatment depends upon the extent and location of the injury, rest, ice, compression, and elevation are key elements of treatment.
There are several bones in the foot, and these bones can be broken (fractured) in a variety of ways. Falling from heights, dropping heavy objects on the foot, or stress fractures from running or walking. Treatment of a broken foot depends on what bone in the foot is broken.
First aid is a complicated subject and it is situation-specific. First aid is the help and medical assistance that someone gives, not only to an injured person, but to a person who is sick. Preparedness is a key element of first aid, like having basic medical emergency kits in your home, car, boat, or RV. Cuts, puncture wounds, sprains, strains, nosebleeds are one type of injury that may require first aid; heart attacks, strokes, seizures, and heat stroke are examples of more critical first aid emergencies.
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