A broken toe can easily happen as a result of being located at the end of the body. Broken toes may occur if a heavy object drops on them, or if the toe is stubbed into a piece of furniture. Broken or fractured toes are easy to notice because swelling and bruising occurs immediately. It is a painful injury and an X-ray is often taken which can determine the severity of the fracture. Additional symptoms can include a popping sound at the time of injury and it is often difficult to walk. A mild break can be treated by using the buddy taping method, which is done by taping the affected toe to the toe next to it. Buddy taping is often successful in providing the necessary stability as the healing process takes place. For severely broken toes, surgery may be necessary to replace any protruding bones in addition to realigning the toes to their normal position. If you have broken your toe, it is suggested that you speak with a podiatrist who can help you with the treatment that is best for you.

A broken toe can be very painful and lead to complications if not properly fixed. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from North Bay Ankle & Foot Center. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What to Know About a Broken Toe

Although most people try to avoid foot trauma such as banging, stubbing, or dropping heavy objects on their feet, the unfortunate fact is that it is a common occurrence. Given the fact that toes are positioned in front of the feet, they typically sustain the brunt of such trauma. When trauma occurs to a toe, the result can be a painful break (fracture).

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Throbbing pain
• Swelling
• Bruising on the skin and toenail
• The inability to move the toe
• Toe appears crooked or disfigured
• Tingling or numbness in the toe

Generally, it is best to stay off of the injured toe with the affected foot elevated.

Severe toe fractures may be treated with a splint, cast, and in some cases, minor surgery. Due to its position and the pressure it endures with daily activity, future complications can occur if the big toe is not properly treated.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Petaluma and Sonoma, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.