Did You Break Your Toe?
A broken toe can be painful. The majority of people will experience immediate swelling, bruising, and discomfort after they have broken their toe. Conversely, some people are unaware they have broken their toe and it is often addressed as the pain level increases. A common reason to endure a broken toe may be stubbing it into a piece of furniture or dropping a heavy object on it. If the fracture is severe, a bone may protrude and will need to be realigned into its normal position. For mild breaks, many people find the buddy-taping method to be successful. This is done by taping the affected toe to the toe next to it to provide the stability that is needed as the healing process occurs. It is beneficial to keep weight off of the foot and this can be done by using crutches or wearing a protective boot. If you have broken your toe, it is suggested that you confer with a chiropodist who can effectively diagnose and treat a broken toe.
A broken toe typically occurs following either a sudden, traumatic injury, like dropping a heavy piece of furniture on the toe. The impact causes the bone to fracture and produces a variety of painful symptoms. If you suspect that you’ve broken your toe, please consult with one of the specialists from Thornhill Foot Clinic. Our chiropodists can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility.
Symptoms
Throbbing pain
Swelling
Bruising
Cracking sound at the time of injury
Difficulty bearing weight on the toe
Difficulty walking
Toe resting at an unnatural angle
Diagnosis
Your chiropodist can diagnose a broken toe through physical examination and imaging studies, such as X-rays.
Treatment
The main goals of treatment are to ensure that the bone heals properly, as a toe fracture that doesn’t heal properly can lead to osteoarthritis. You will typically need to rest the affected toe. You may be prescribed a splint to immobilize the toe while it heals. Icing the affected toe and taking over-the-counter medications can help reduce pain. In cases of severe fractures, surgery may be necessary to reset the broken bones and make sure that they heal correctly.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
