After an injury, so many people walk around in pain, thinking there’s nothing you do for a broken toe. But that’s simply not the case. An undiagnosed or untreated toe fracture could heal improperly, leading to deformity and increasing your risk for arthritis later in life. Want to ensure proper healing and make your recovery process less painful? This is what to do for a broken toe, according to Marietta podiatrist Dr. Alvin Cowans.
How Do I Tell if My Toe is Fractured?
![a broken toe in a walking boot]()
Sometimes, it’s fairly obvious that you’ve broken your toe after an injury. Fractures in your toe can cause symptoms such as:
- Sharp and immediate pain
- Swelling, giving you the appearance of a ‘sausage toe’
- Bruising
- Redness
- Walking may be difficult, but not impossible
Now, that last point is important. Some patients assume that, because they can walk, that means they haven’t broken bones. Unfortunately, that’s not true. And that’s why the best way to tell if your toe is fractured is to get X-ray images of the affected area.
Is it Ok to Leave a Broken Toe Untreated?
Just as you wouldn’t allow a broken arm to heal on its own, it’s very important not to wait out or self-treat a toe fracture. It’s true that minor injuries may heal on their own. However, in many cases, untreated toe fractures will heal improperly or incompletely, leaving you with chronic pain and increasing your risk for deformities.
Should I see a Doctor for a Broken Toe?
Big toe injuries may require splinting or casting in order to fully heal. In some cases, a traumatic injury to the toe could cause pieces of bone to break off—an effect that can only be detected on X-ray and one that most often requires surgery. As such, it’s important to see a doctor if you suspect you’ve broken any bone in your toe, foot or ankle. And, while you could go to the emergency room and spend hours waiting for an X-ray, you’ll get more specialized care—and a much shorter wait time—if you choose to see Dr. Alvin Cowans for a suspected fracture.
What to Do for a Broken Toe
Immediately after an injury to your toe, get off your feet. Ice and elevate your toe while resting, then give yourself a day or two to see if your pain resolves. After that period, if you notice bruising, redness or swelling, or if it’s still difficult for you to walk, it’s time to make an appointment at our podiatry practice in Powder Springs.
In some cases, however, we want to see you immediately after a toe injury. Call us right away if you notice that your toe:
- Is crooked or deformed in any way
- Has an open wound
Additionally, you should seek immediate medical attention for injuries affecting your big toe. Because of the crucial role it plays in walking and weight-bearing, it’s important to immediately diagnose and treat big toe fractures to prevent complications and long-term impacts on mobility.
What to Expect During Your Recovery
Your healing time for a broken toe will depend on which digit is affected, and the severity of the injury. Most toe fractures will heal in four to six weeks, though you will probably start to feel better before the end of that time period.
Some patients will be able to walk normally while their broken toe heals, with the affected toe splinted or buddy-taped to prevent additional stress. For more serious injuries, especially ones that require surgical repair, you may need to use a walking boot or even a knee scooter to keep pressure off your healing bones.
While your fracture heals, you will likely need to reduce your activity levels. Your doctor will tell you what to do for a broken toe in terms of exercise; following all instructions carefully will help ensure proper healing and prevent setbacks or delays in your recovery.
Have you sustained a toe injury and you’re not sure what to do for a broken toe? Has your toe been hurting and you’re not sure if it’s broken or not? We’re here to help. Call the office at 770-727-0614 or contact us online to request an appointment. Make sure to let us know that you’ve injured your toe, and we’ll get you into the office as soon as possible for diagnostic X-rays.
