A broken toe, as well known as a toe fracture, is a very common injury, especially in athletes and those with agile lifestyles. Out of the five toes (also known every bit digits of the feet) the pinky toe is the most commonly broken toe with the fracture often occurring at the base of the toe.

Your toes make up a portion of your pes referred to as the forefoot. 4 of your toes are comprised of 3 bones chosen phalanges, and ii joints. The large toe, however, is made up of only ii basic and one joint.

The three smaller bones, or phalanges, of the toes are the:

  • Proximal – os closest to the foot
  • Middle
  • Distal – the end of the toe

The big toe just has the proximal and distal phalanx bones.

Types of toe fractures

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There are several means to categorize your toe fractures:

  • Stress fracture – caused by repetitive activity / overuse
  • Not-displaced – bones are cracked just have not broken apart
  • Displaced – ends of the broken toe have separated completely or partially from the rest of the bone
  • Open fractures – peel is broken and the bone is protruding
  • Closed fracture – skin is not broken and the bone is contained
  • Avulsion fracture – small chip fracture near normally caused by tendon pulling off bone

With the numerous small basic, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments in your toes it tin can be hard to place what type of injury you are suffering from. That is why it'south so important to encounter one of our podiatrists every bit presently as possible, then we can chop-chop identify your injury and prevent it from worsening.

What Causes a Broken Toe

Some of the most common causes of broken toes include:

  • Overuse
  • Stubbing or banging your toe against something hard
  • Rolling your toe
  • Dropping a hard and/or heavy object on your toe
  • Wearing poor footwear
  • Osteoporosis

How to Tell if a Toe is Broken: Symptoms & Identification

Broken toes are some of the nigh mutual breaks of the human foot and are ofttimes marked by symptoms like:

  • Astringent bruising
  • Intense & throbbing pain
  • Swelling
  • Deformity
  • Difficulty walking
  • Toenail discoloration
  • Kleptomaniacal & misshapen appearance of the toe

Big Toe

Broken toes often occur in athletes and those maintaining active lifestyles; broken big toes (or "great toes") are peculiarly mutual for these individuals. These breaks are often referred to as "turf toe." Turf toe is acquired by excessive and repetitive pushing off of the big toe when making explosive movements (e.g. running & jumping), and can vary from a sprain to a broken bone with ligament damage. If you're experiencing severe pain from your big toe later on athletic or strenuous activity you may need to be examined for a break.

Broken Toe Myths & Misconceptions

Although broken toes are well known, the treatment of them seems to be clouded with many unknowns and falsehoods. Here are the mutual responses you should be skeptical of next time someone tries to give y'all "advice" for your broken toe:

Should I meet a doctor for a cleaved toe?

"In that location'due south nothing a md tin can practice for a broken toe." – False. This is not only untrue, but can be harmful. If a fractured toe is not treated promptly and correctly, serious complications may develop!

Can you motion a broken toe?

"If y'all can still move it then it'south non broken." – False. This is another harmful old wives' tale. Although it may be possible to motility and walk on your broken toe, you should avoid doing so every bit this can atomic number 82 to fifty-fifty greater damage and prolonged healing fourth dimension.

Should you soak a cleaved toe?

"Whatsoever toe injury should be soaked in hot water or with Epsom salts immediately!" – False. If yous suspect your toe (or any bone) is broken, hot water or any heat practical to the area can make it worse! Estrus causes an increase in blood flow, which leads to more swelling and more pain. Instead, apply an ice pack for a maximum of 15-20 minutes to help numb your toe and decrease swelling. However, it'south important to not overdo it as too much ice may crusade frostbite.

What to Do for a Broken Toe: Care & Treatment

Broken toes don't ordinarily crave x-rays as both broken and badly bruised/injured toes are ofttimes treated with the aforementioned methods.

Broken and injured toes are frequently treated through:

  • Ice
  • Residue
  • Splinting, known every bit "buddy taping," where the cleaved toe is taped alongside a neighboring healthy toe
  • Casting, if the toe has become dislocated
  • Wearing podiatrist-provided stiff-soled shoes to back up the fracture
  • Pain & anti-inflammatory medication

Fractures of the big, or not bad, toe are frequently more astringent than breaks to the others. If the articulation is disrupted or the bones have become dislocated, the toe may crave surgery.

Improper or Delayed Treatment

If your toe fracture is not properly handled, or treatment is delayed you may experience a wide range of consequences and side furnishings, including:

  • Motion limiting deformity & long-term dysfunction
  • Development of arthritis effectually the fracture
  • Non-healing & worsening of the fracture
  • Development of chronic pain
  • Chemical compound fractures & infection
  • Difficulty wearing shoes

Early test and treatment of any fracture is essential for proper healing. At Advanced Pes & Ankle our podiatrists have extensive training and feel in the non-surgical and surgical treatments of any foot, ankle, or toe fracture.

One time nosotros identify a fracture, we develop a treatment specifically for your injury striving to right your injury non-surgically and but suggesting surgery when it'due south absolutely necessary.

If you lot're experiencing whatsoever human foot, toe or talocrural joint pain contact u.s. today, and schedule an date at 1 of our conveniently located Heart Tennessee locations.