topic Re: Broken toes? in Wellness

Broken toes?

JB116 — Tue, 30 May 2017 19:47:06 GMT

Has anyone broken a toe or toes?

I broke 2 toes on Sunday morning and I am in some serious pain. I went to the ER (Urgent Care was not open yet) and they x-rayed my foot. The pinky toe and the one next to it on my right foot are both broken.

The doctor said there is really nothing that can be done except rest and the usual stay off of it as much as possible, the RICE method.

She told me that if it was just the pinky toe that it would help to tape the pinky toe to the one next to it but since that one is broken as well it wouldn't help, and it could disfigure my toes during healing a little.

I've been iceing it for 20 minutes every 2 hours but dang it, it's really painful.

Has anyone else ever broken a toe or two?

Re: Broken toes?

Shogirl — Tue, 30 May 2017 19:57:03 GMT

I used to get periodic stress fractures in my toes from exercise. There really isn't anything you can do about it. Seems like it would take mine around a month to heal completely.

Re: Broken toes?

Poodlepet2 — Tue, 30 May 2017 20:00:02 GMT

I feel your pain-it's not a joke. I missed two days of work. You don't realize how you rely on toes for balance until something like that happens.

I was told to put sneakers on before I got out of bed to control swelling....one morning I didn't and the swelling started and I couldn't fit in any shoes.

My best advice is to seek a podiatrist: they might be able to tape it so that at least it's more comfortable.

Poodlepet2

Re: Broken toes?

software — Tue, 30 May 2017 20:05:30 GMT

You may not want to read this but you asked.
A friend broke a toe, the middle one, he accidentially kicked the footboard of his bed when getting up one morning. He thought nothing of it. other than it did hurt.

He's diabetic and doesn't have the best circulation but has never had a problem in the past. Well you probably guessed it. The break never healed, then infection got into it and the toe had to be removed.

You should probably follow up with an orthopedic doctor.

An ER doctor is not an expert long term, they are good for an emergency only.

@JB116 wrote:
Has anyone broken a toe or toes?

I broke 2 toes on Sunday morning and I am in some serious pain. I went to the ER (Urgent Care was not open yet) and they x-rayed my foot. The pinky toe and the one next to it on my right foot are both broken.

The doctor said there is really nothing that can be done except rest and the usual stay off of it as much as possible, the RICE method.

She told me that if it was just the pinky toe that it would help to tape the pinky toe to the one next to it but since that one is broken as well it wouldn't help, and it could disfigure my toes during healing a little.

I've been iceing it for 20 minutes every 2 hours but dang it, it's really painful.

Has anyone else ever broken a toe or two?

Re: Broken toes?

SXMGirl — Tue, 30 May 2017 20:10:11 GMT

I have broken my little (pinkie) toes on too many occasions, so I never go barefoot, even at home.

If you have not called your doctor, I would do so. You may be able to get a few painkillers to get you through a few days. I would also seek out a podiatrist if you want to have your toes taped. If this is your first time breaking your toes, you do not need to be your own doctor.

I think the best advice is to stay off of your feet for a few days, ice them, and take an OTC something for pain. You really just need to wait it out if you have the time to do so. If you work, you may be wearing flip flops or really soft shoes instead of regular shoes for a week or two. I have found that soft enclosed shoes help to keep the toes aligned correctly and reduced the pain.

I hope that you feel better soon.

Re: Broken toes?

Magny — Tue, 30 May 2017 20:23:35 GMT

Very painful! I broke a toe twice at home. Hobbled along for about 2 weeks before going to doctor. He taped it & then said I should soak in warm water twice a day for about one half hour. This made all the difference! Maybe you can tape your fourth toe to the third? I then went to a near-by shoe store, where I bought a Clarks 3 buckle sandal. They were perfect. I kept two straps open until toe felt better, & then gradually closed them up. I could not wear any of my shoes, & I had to go to work in 4year old L L Bean sandals, until I got the Clarks.

Re: Broken toes?

Lipstickdiva — Tue, 30 May 2017 20:24:44 GMT

Ugh yes. I broke my toe the night before DH and I were leaving for vacation to Cancun a number of years back. The kicker is I broke it when I got up in the middle of the night and bashed it on the wheels of our suitcase!

It was miserable but I too was told there was nothing that could be done except to tape the broken toe to the toe next to it which is what I ended up doing and I had to wear super comfortable shoes. I wore the same shoes that entire trip because it was all I could stand on that foot.

Re: Broken toes?

hckynut — Tue, 30 May 2017 20:25:37 GMT

@JB116

I have had a broken right big toe and the smallest toe on my left foot. Nothing could be done for either of these toes, BUTT !

A broken big toe is much more than an annoyance, as was my small toe. The big toe controls a lot more than people understand, including myself until I broke my own. It controls much of ones balance, and also more of a persons body weight than one can imagine.

All I could do was ICE/rest(my job was walking much of my day)/elevation when able. At that time I had no bleeding issues, so I was able to take Advil and other anti-inflammatory meds to help.

Could not run/skate, or even walk "with my normal gate", this was only with my broken Big Toe, not the smallest toe. I know some doctors say you can tape 2 toes together, but it made it worse in my case. Wet feet and regular tape do not mesh well.

I also had my Calcaneus Bone(heel) fractured. It was not an open fracture(bone sticking out), so it did not require surgery? It too effects the way one walks and is not near as painful or incapacitating as the Big Toe fracture. Skating was not a problem(once I squeezed my foot into the skate), so I could still Ref my hockey games, hoping not to get hit in that spot again by a puck.

Big Toe=Big Problem. Little toe or toes, not so much. Best to you in your healing.

hckynut(john)

Re: Broken toes?

RedTop — Tue, 30 May 2017 20:38:38 GMT

Yes, I've broken the 2nd and 3rd toes on both feet. Didn't bother going to the doctor or ER, taped the first broken toe, didn't tape the second one, and still have gaps between the toes. I remember some pain initially, but the real pain showed up in weeks 3-6 when the healing took place.

Re: Broken toes?

noodleann — Tue, 30 May 2017 20:51:13 GMT

@JB116 wrote:
Has anyone broken a toe or toes?

I broke 2 toes on Sunday morning and I am in some serious pain. I went to the ER (Urgent Care was not open yet) and they x-rayed my foot. The pinky toe and the one next to it on my right foot are both broken.

The doctor said there is really nothing that can be done except rest and the usual stay off of it as much as possible, the RICE method.

She told me that if it was just the pinky toe that it would help to tape the pinky toe to the one next to it but since that one is broken as well it wouldn't help, and it could disfigure my toes during healing a little.

I've been iceing it for 20 minutes every 2 hours but dang it, it's really painful.

Has anyone else ever broken a toe or two?

I've broken toes several times, never the big one, always the fourth and once the baby toe, from hurtling around the house barefoot or in flip flops and stubbing them, mostly. I no longer hurtle anywhere, and I always, always wear shoes or well-constructed slippers except in the bath.

Broken toes hurt, but frankly, I'd be concerned that the ER doc didn't see everything, or else there's been some displacement since you were X-rayed. Unless you have a low pain threshhold, I would set up an appointment to see someone else pronto, to rule out any complications. Even in a healthy person, foot problems should be taken seriously. If you have diabetes and/or any vascular issues, all the more reason to seek further attention. All breaks are not alike.

I'm sorry you're in pain, and I hope you get more help. But keep on doing the Rest, Elevation, and Icing in the meantime; I'd just avoid any Compression. That's for other injuries. Best wishes, and please keep us updated on how things turn out.

Re: Broken toes?

Q4u — Tue, 30 May 2017 23:49:28 GMT

I was around 7 and was taken to a public pool by our neighbors and was having the best time when I slipped off the step that was underwater and rammed my left little toe linto the step next to it. PAIN! I remember the PAIN! I'm sure I must have broken it, it looked weird and it hurt so bad I remember it to this day. I didn't want to make a fuss so I didn't tell our neighbors who took me to the pool. All I remember after that is just sitting at the edge of the pool waiting to go home.

Once I got home my parents said that basically there's nothing we could do... they taped it for a day or two, but basically I only had an ache from about then on.....

Every once in awhile I think about that toe LOL... it does look weird, but toes look weird anyway....

Re: Broken toes?

Silver Lining — Wed, 31 May 2017 11:34:16 GMT

@JB116,I broke the little toe on my right foot when I hit it on the leg of a chair. It hurt terribly at the time and was very sore for a couple of weeks. The pain gradually went away and didn't cause any permanent damage. Had to wear looser shoes for a while. Breaking two must be really bad. I think you're doing everything you can do. I hope it feels a lot better soon.

Re: Broken toes?

Boehm Collector — Wed, 31 May 2017 13:41:53 GMT

@JB116 .. yes I broke my toe once. It was quite painful but, unfortunately, there is really nothing you can do.

Re: Broken toes?

JB116 — Wed, 31 May 2017 13:49:02 GMT

@SXMGirl wrote:
I have broken my little (pinkie) toes on too many occasions, so I never go barefoot, even at home.

If you have not called your doctor, I would do so. You may be able to get a few painkillers to get you through a few days. I would also seek out a podiatrist if you want to have your toes taped. If this is your first time breaking your toes, you do not need to be your own doctor.

I think the best advice is to stay off of your feet for a few days, ice them, and take an OTC something for pain. You really just need to wait it out if you have the time to do so. If you work, you may be wearing flip flops or really soft shoes instead of regular shoes for a week or two. I have found that soft enclosed shoes help to keep the toes aligned correctly and reduced the pain.

I hope that you feel better soon.

First, thank you for the well wishes.

And this is actually NOT the first time I've broken a toe or two but this is the first time I've broken 2 at the same time.

I broke the pinky toe and then the big toe of my left foot when I was in the Army. Had my 60lb pack accidently fall on my big toe. It was my own fault so no one to be mad at but myself.

And unfortunately I can't stay off my feet. I have to walk my dog and although I don't have to stand at work, I do have to walk.

Yesterday I wore my sneakers to work but had then real loose. I wore jeans so it was ok but can't do that every day unfortunately.

Today so far it's not nearly as black and blue as it was yesterday which is good. So far so good, and I have made an appointment with my doctor for tomorrow, earliest I could get in.

Thanks all for the well wishes!

Re: Broken toes?

JB116 — Wed, 31 May 2017 13:53:52 GMT

@Lipstickdiva wrote:
Ugh yes. I broke my toe the night before DH and I were leaving for vacation to Cancun a number of years back. The kicker is I broke it when I got up in the middle of the night and bashed it on the wheels of our suitcase!

It was miserable but I too was told there was nothing that could be done except to tape the broken toe to the toe next to it which is what I ended up doing and I had to wear super comfortable shoes. I wore the same shoes that entire trip because it was all I could stand on that foot.

I have a similar method to how I broke them. I feel so stupid.

I was getting out of bed in the morning. My bed is a bit high and being short I have to jump a little to get into bed, so instead I have a small stool on the side of my bed. I was using the stool and my foot slipped. The unfortunate thing for me was that a clothes basket was right next to it and my toes got caught in the small holes of the basket and down I went.

I felt so dang stupid. LOL

Re: Broken toes?

Silver Lining — Wed, 31 May 2017 14:19:31 GMT

@JB116, that must have been kind of scary for you. A split second of uh, oh!! Breaking two toes was bad enough. I'm glad you didn't go flying and get hurt worse. My foot slipped off a short stool one time and I pitched forward into a door frame. Broke a rib and there isn't much that can be done for that either.

Re: Broken toes?

colliemom4 — Wed, 31 May 2017 14:23:31 GMT

I fell down several stairs and broke a toe. My doctor told me they couldn't do anything for me either. I bandaged them together and there was only one pair of shoes I owned that I could wear for a while but it did heal up. I wish you a speedy recovery.

Re: Broken toes?

chrystaltree — Wed, 31 May 2017 15:58:47 GMT

I haven't but Daughter #1 has probably broken every toe she has at one time or another. She was athletic and a dancer and like going barefoot....so broken toes happened. Depending on the toe and the type of break, there is often nothing they can do except let it heal naturally but, they always prescribe something for the pain. Usually presription strength Ibuprofen for the pain but also to relieve the swelling.