Broken Toe (cont.)
What is the outlook for a broken toe?
- Talk to the doctor to schedule an appointment to have the broken toe
evaluated to make sure it is healing properly. Call a doctor or go to an
emergency department if any problems or complications develop before the
scheduled appointment.
- Broken toes usually take about six weeks to heal. If problems last longer
than six weeks, another X-ray may be needed, or the injury should be rechecked
by the doctor to evaluate how the bone is healing.
- Simple toe fractures usually heal well with no problems. However, a severe
fracture or a fracture that goes into a joint is at risk for developing
arthritis, pain, stiffness, and possibly even a deformity.
Broken Toe At-A-Glance
- Broken toes are often caused by trauma or injury. Prolonged repetitive
movements can cause a type of broken toe called a stress or hairline fracture.
- Symptoms of a broken toe include pain, swelling, or stiffness, bruising,
deformity, and difficultly walking if the big toe is broken.
- Possible complications of a broken toe include nail injury, compound
fracture, infection, deformity, or arthritis.
- Seek immediate medical care if you suspect an
open fracture of the toe; if
there is bleeding; cold, numb, or tingling sensation; or blue or gray color to
the injured area.
- A broken toe is diagnosed with a medical examination, which may include
X-rays.
- To help decrease pain and swelling in a broken toe, elevate the foot, ice
the injury, and stay off the foot.
- Depending on the severity of the fracture, the toe may need to be put back
into place (reduced), and some compound toe fractures may require surgery.
- Pain from a broken toe can usually be controlled with
over-the-counter pain
medication.
- Buddy taping can be used to help splint a fractured toe.
- Most broken toes heal without complications in six weeks.
Last Editorial Review: 2/19/2009
- Foot Pain - Read about causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of foot pain. Pain in the feet may be caused by poorly fitting shoes, injuries, or diseases such as diabetes and gout.
- Hematoma - Learn about a hematoma, a collection of blood outside a blood vessel. Types of hematomas include head, scalp, ear, septal, pelvic, intramuscular, subungual, and intra-abdominal.
- Fracture - Read about fracture of bone(s). The most common fractures are stress fractures, rib fractures, skull fractures, and fractures in children. Causes vary and treatment is dependant upon the type of fracture.
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