Things to know about broken toe
- Broken toes are often caused by trauma or injury. Prolonged repetitive movements can cause a type of broken toe called stress or hairline fracture.
- Symptoms of a broken toe include pain, swelling, stiffness, bruising, deformity, and difficulty walking.
- 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; if the toe appears deformed or is pointing in the wrong direction; 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 (taping the toe to an adjacent toe can be used to splint a fractured toe.
- Most broken toes heal without complications in six weeks.
What is a broken toe?
A commonly injured area of the foot is the small bones of the toes (phalanges). There are 26 bones in the foot; 19 are bones in the forefoot (five metatarsals and 14 phalanges). Trauma and the injury to the foot often cause one or more of the toe bones to break (fracture).
What are the symptoms of a broken toe?
- Pain, swelling, or stiffness will occur in a broken toe following injury. It may be difficult to walk due to the pain, especially with a broken big toe. This is because the big toe bears much of the weight of the body during walking or pivoting. A broken little toe (pinky toe) may be painful but usually does not limit the ability to walk.
- Other symptoms include
- a bruised toe,
- bruising of the skin around
the toe, and - a bent or deformed appear-
ance of the toe if the broken
bone is out of place.
- Other problems may develop as a result of the fractured toe. Complications can occur immediately after the injury (minutes to days) or can develop much later (weeks to years).
- People with weakened bones
What are the causes of a broken toe?
Trauma or injury such as stubbing the toe (jammed toe) or dropping a heavy object on the toe may cause a broken toe. The location of the toes (at the front part of the feet) makes them the most likely part of the foot to be injured.
- Prolonged repetitive movements, as in certain sports activities, can cause a type of broken toe called a stress fracture or hairline fracture.
- People with weakened bones (osteoporosis or other disorders) may develop stress fractures simply from wearing improper shoes.

QUESTION
Emotional trauma is best described as a psychological response to a deeply distressing or life-threatening experience. See AnswerWhen to call a doctor if I think you have a broken toe
Many people think that if they can walk on an injured toe, it is not broken. This may not be the case. It is common to break a toe bone and still be able to walk on it.
Go to a hospital's emergency department if you have the following signs or symptoms.
- Any symptoms of a possible open (compound) fracture which include open wounds, bleeding, or drainage from near the broken toe
- Cold, numb, tingling, or unusual sensation in the toes
- Blue or gray colored skin near the injury
- If the injured toe appears deformed or is pointing in the wrong direction (angulated)
Call a doctor if any of the following occur:
- If the broken toe pain worsens or new pain is not relieved by pain medication
- Sores, redness, or open wounds near the injured toe
- Bruising or bleeding under the toenail that causes significant pain
- A cast or splint is damaged or broken
How can you tell if you have a broken toe?
Seek medical evaluation soon after the injury to ensure proper treatment and healing.
- A doctor will ask questions to determine how the toe was injured and will examine the injured toe and possibly check for other injuries (for example, sprains).
- A doctor may take an X-ray to evaluate if the toe is broken or fractured. X-rays are not always necessary to diagnose a broken toe, especially if the break is in one of the smaller toes.
- Stress fractures, due to overuse or repetitive movement, may need an MRI to be diagnosed.
Which specialties of doctors treat a broken toe?
You initially may see a primary care provider (PCP) such as a family practitioner or a child’s pediatrician when you first injure your toe. You likely will be referred to an orthopedist or orthopedic surgeon, who specializes in disorders of the musculoskeletal system, or a podiatrist, a specialist in conditions of the foot, for treatment.
You also may be diagnosed with a broken toe in a hospital's emergency department by an emergency medicine specialist. Radiologists will read an X-ray or MRI, though they will usually report back to your primary care physician or emergency medicine specialist and you will not directly consult with them.
Health News
- Scans Show Brain Changes in People With Long COVID
- Got GERD? Eat This Way to Help Avoid Symptoms
- 5 Women Contracted Syphilis Affecting the Eyes From the Same Asymptomatic Man
- Long COVID Now Common in U.S. Nursing Homes
- Breathing in Coal-Based Pollution Could Be Especially Deadly: Study
More Health News »
Can anything be done at home for a broken toe?
Most minor toe injuries can be treated at home. If you are unsure or suspect a fracture, seek medical attention. The following self-care tips may help decrease pain and swelling from a broken toe, and help the fracture heal properly.
- Rest: Avoid strenuous exercise, prolonged standing, or walking. Crutches may be needed, or a special shoe or boot to wear when walking to avoid putting weight on the fracture while it heals.
- Ice: Put ice in a plastic bag and apply it to the injury for 15-20 minutes every one to two hours for the first few days. Place a towel between the skin and the ice to protect the skin. Frozen peas or corn can also be used to ice the broken toe - they may conform to the fractured area better than ice.
- Elevation: To decrease swelling and pain, keep the foot raised above the level of the heart as much and as often as possible. Prop the foot up as much as possible (for example use several pillows), especially when sleeping. Reclining in a lounge chair is also helpful.
In certain situations, a broken toe may need medical care such as maneuvering the toe back into place (reduction), casting, or splinting the toe.
How to buddy tape a broken toe
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.
- 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.
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. Always follow your doctor's instructions on how to tape your broken toe.
What is the medical treatment for a broken toe?
Depending on the location and severity of the toe fracture, the fracture may need to be put back into place (reduced) and splinted or cast. Because it has a significant weight-bearing role, fractures of the big toe are often more serious and more likely to require reduction or surgical treatment. 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.
What medications can I take for a broken toe?
Usually, only anti-inflammatory drugs like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin) are needed for pain. For severe injuries, the doctor may prescribe stronger pain medicine.
Casting a broken toe
- A cast usually is not required for a simple toe fracture. A hard-soled, sturdy, and supportive shoe or boot 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.
Reduction for a broken toe
- 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), or the toe is dislocated, 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.
Subscribe to MedicineNet's Skin Care & Conditions Newsletter
By clicking "Submit," I agree to the MedicineNet Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. I also agree to receive emails from MedicineNet and I understand that I may opt out of MedicineNet subscriptions at any time.
How long does it take for a broken toe to heal?
Talk to the doctor to have the broken toe evaluated to be certain it is healing properly. Call a doctor or go to an emergency department if any problems or complications develop before the scheduled appointment.
The healing time for broken toes usually takes 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 of developing arthritis, pain, stiffness, and possibly even a deformity.
What are the possible complications of a broken toe?

Other problems may develop as a result of the broken toe. Complications can occur immediately after the injury (minutes to days) or can develop much later (weeks to years). Inadequate treatment of a broken toe may lead to complications including foot deformities and chronic pain. Even when a broken toe is treated promptly, complications may arise including:
- Nail injury: A collection of blood may develop underneath the toenail called a subungual hematoma. If it is large, it may need to be drained. To drain a subungual hematoma a doctor will make a small hole in the toenail to drain the blood. If the hematoma is very large or painful, the entire toenail may need to be removed. The injury may also result in a broken toenail that may need to be trimmed or removed.
- Compound fracture: Rarely, the broken bone in a toe fracture may stick out through the skin. This is called an open or compound fracture. Emergency medical treatment and surgery may be necessary.
- Arthritis: After the toe fracture heals, the person may still be left with arthritis, pain, stiffness, or even deformity.
- Nonunion/malunion: Sometimes, the fractured bone will not heal completely (called a nonunion) or will heal improperly (called a malunion). Rarely, surgery may be necessary to fix this problem.
From 
Healthy Resources
Featured Centers
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Silbergleit, R. "Foot Fracture." Medscape. Sept. 23, 2018. <http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/825060-overview>.
Top Broken Toe Related Articles
Ankle Pain (Tendonitis)
Ankle pain is commonly due to a sprain or tendinitis. The severity of ankle sprains ranges from mild (which can resolve within 24 hours) to severe (which can require surgical repair). Tendinitis of the ankle can be caused by trauma or inflammation.Broken Bone
A broken bone is a fracture. There are different types of fractures, such as:- compressed,
- open,
- stress,
- greenstick,
- spiral,
- vertebral compression,
- compound, and
- comminuted.
Symptoms of a broken bone include pain at the site of injury, swelling, and bruising around the area of injury. Treatment of a fracture depends on the type and location of the injury.
Broken Foot
Broken bones in the foot are a common injury. Symptoms include pain, swelling, redness, bruising, and limping on the affected foot. Learn about treatment and recovery time.CT Scan vs. MRI
CT scan (computerized tomography) is a procedure that uses X-rays to scan and take images of cross-sections of parts of the body. CT scan can help diagnose broken bones, tumors or lesions in areas of the body, blood clots in the brain, legs, and lung, and lung infections or diseases like pneumonia or emphysema.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a procedure that uses strong magnetic fields and radiofrequency energy to make images of parts of the body, particularly, the organs and soft tissues like tendons and cartilage.
Both CT and MRI are painless, however, MRI can be more bothersome to some individuals who are claustrophobic, or suffer from anxiety or panic disorders due to the enclosed space and noise, the machine makes.
MRI costs more than CT, while CT is a quicker and more comfortable test for the patient.
Does My Toe Need Amputation?
Toe amputation is a common procedure performed by a wide variety of healthcare providers. One of the most common indications for toe amputation is patients with a diabetic foot. Toe amputation is usually performed as a last resort when medical treatment fails, or the toe cannot be salvaged. Complications of toe amputation include pain, swelling, bruising, blood clotting, and hematoma (blood clot).First Aid: Bandaging Injuries and Wounds From Head to Toe
Bandaging a wound like a burn, cut, or scrape requires different techniques depending on which part of the body was hurt. Ace bandages, liquid bandages, bandage wraps, waterproof bandages, elastic bandages, and other types are available to cover and protect your wound from dirt and water.First Aid Sprains/Strains
View this First Aid slideshow on Care and Pain Relief. See how to get pain relief if you've bumped your head, sprained your ankle, or had a bruise, strain, or some other minor injury.Foot Anatomy Detail Picture
The end of the leg on which a person normally stands and walks. See a picture of Foot Anatomy Detail and learn more about the health topic.Foot Pain
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.Foot Pain Slideshow
Learn about common causes of foot pain such as bunions, corns, athlete's foot, plantar warts and more. Get the latest information on treatments for foot pain.Toenail Color Health
What can the color of your toenails tell you about your health? Watch for these shades to know if you need to talk to your doctor.Hematoma
A hematoma is a collection of blood that is outside a blood vessel. There are different areas where hematomas occur including; inside the skull, on the scalp, ears, septum, bones, finger nails, toenails, and intra-abdominal.How Long Does A Digital Nerve Block Last?
A digital nerve block is a procedure to anesthetize the fingers or toes (digits) by injecting an anesthetic solution at the base of the digit. The injection is widely used for local anesthesia, especially in the emergency department, where people often come in with digital injuries.What Are Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Distal Femoral Fractures in Adults?
In certain types of femur fractures (displaced fractures), the trauma knocks the broken thigh bone pieces out of alignment. Femur fractures that occur near the knee (distal femur) are known as distal femoral fractures. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is a common surgery to fasten the broken femur together with hardware that allows it to heal correctly.Sprains and Strains
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 and signs 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.Trauma/First Aid Quiz
What should be in your first-aid kit? Take this quiz to understand trauma and learn the truth about how to administer first aid.