A broken toe happens when one of the small bones in a toe cracks or breaks. It can result from stubbing your toe against furniture, dropping something heavy on your foot, or an injury during sports. The smaller toes are easily injured, but the big toe can also break. A broken toe can cause sharp pain, swelling, and bruising. Some people notice that the toe looks crooked or feels painful when they put weight on the foot. These signs should not be ignored, especially when the big toe is involved.

Not every painful toe is broken, so an accurate diagnosis matters. A podiatrist can examine the injured area and check whether the toe is properly aligned. X-rays can show where a bone has broken and whether the pieces have moved out of place. A fracture in the big toe can be especially troublesome because that toe plays an important role in balance and pushing off while walking. An untreated fracture can heal in the wrong position and lead to lasting discomfort. Severe pain, an unusual toe position, or an open wound calls for prompt evaluation.

Treatment for a broken toe depends on which bone is injured and how serious the break is. A podiatrist may stabilize the toe by securing it to the neighboring toe. This approach is called buddy taping. A stiff-soled shoe or protective boot can help limit movement while the bone heals. When a toe is out of position, the podiatrist can assess whether it needs to be carefully realigned. Follow-up visits help track healing and guide a safe return to normal activities. If you have broken your broken toe, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for effective treatment solutions.

Broken toes may cause a lot of pain and should be treated as soon as possible. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Florida. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is a Broken Toe?

A broken toe occurs when one or more of the toe bones of the foot are broken after an injury. Injuries such as stubbing your toe or dropping a heavy object on it may cause a toe fracture.

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Swelling
• Pain (with/without wearing shoes)
• Stiffness
• Nail Injury

Although the injured toe should be monitored daily, it is especially important to have a podiatrist look at your toe if you have severe symptoms. Some of these symptoms include worsening or new pain that is not relieved with medication, sores, redness, or open wounds near the toe.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in North Miami, and Pembroke Pines, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.