Wellness

[Keeper of the koi]

Last night the power went out in our neighborhood ,  while i was in the tub, its one of those cedar enclosed  big whirlpool tubs. i got out  to open the curtains  to let light in and yikes I hit my toe next to the little toe.this morning it is purple swollen and painful.Is there  anything drs do for this? . I hate to go only to find out let it be.  Any experience?Thanks, Maryanne

[Qshopper1991]

Put ice on it (20 minutes on/20 minutes off) and go to the doctors.  It could be broken or fractured. 

You'll probably get an x-ray to properly diagnose the issue.

Feel better!!

[KingstonsMom]

@Keeper of the koi

So sorry about your toe, but unfortunately Dr's don't do anything for a broken toe (I've had a couple!).

You can get a splint for it at the drugstore just to protect it from further injury or pain from hitting it again, though.

Hope it heals soon!

[Mz iMac]

Go to the ER to get an x-ray.  You will get a soft shoe sandal to wear plus crutches.  

The ER doc may tape the 2 toes together.  Depends on the fracture.

Asprin or Motrin for pain.

The older you are, the longer it will take to heal.  Expect to be hopping around for at least 6-8 weeks.

[Krimpette]

I wouldn't go to the ER for a broken toe.  At best, I'd go to my nearest Urgent Care center.  

[ChynnaBlue]

I've fractured a few toes. In most cases, the doctor can't do much but put a split on it and tape it to your other toes to immobilize it as best as possible and wait for it to heal. But if you have never broken a toe before and you think it's really bad, you should go get an x-ray and have it checked out. In some cases, surgery can be required or the toe can heal incorrectly and leave a deformity.

I wouldn't go to the ER for that, I'd call your regular doctor and ask him/her for advice. In the meantime, you can gently tape your own toes. You should put a thin layer of gauze or cotton between the toes you tape together so that they don't rub and cause a corn between your toes.

[SahmIam]

Have an x-ray and then a pro (ortho, podiatrist, someone who knows feet) look at it. Depending on where the break is and how the bone is broken, it may not heal correctly and you'll have problems for the rest of your life due to it (as well as constant pain).

As me how I know this.....

[muttmom]

I'd call the doctor or go to Urgent Care.  I would not waste time in the ER. 

I've broken 2 toes.  One had to be set, the other was taped to the next toe.

[Keeper of the koi]

I have broken my same ankle 3 times in the past 2 years. I cant figure out how bad it hurts based on that!My husband has neen bugging me about taking me, he said i was moaning all night. Thanks for the answers, seems i have heard over the years diffrent stories about what they can do, seems it depends on how it is injured...Thanks again, Maryanne

[ChynnaBlue]

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@Mz iMac wrote:

Go to the ER to get an x-ray.  You will get a soft shoe sandal to wear plus crutches.  

The ER doc may tape the 2 toes together.  Depends on the fracture.

Asprin or Motrin for pain.

The older you are, the longer it will take to heal.  Expect to be hopping around for at least 6-8 weeks.

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A broken toe isn't a true emergency. Anyone going to the ER for a broken toe get pushed to the back of the line when someone more critical comes in. In a busy location, you can sit in the waiting room for 6+ hours. 

I've been to a few ERs with worse things fractured bones over the years and it's a giant waste of my time and the ERs and almost always costs WAY more than going to the regular doctor or an urgent care clinic. The only benefit is that they have an x-ray station on site. So does my local urgent care, which is in a local network with my primary care physician, so they have my medical records on file, too.

For a non-emergency, you are much better off calling your primary or an urgent care. If your PCP can't see you, ask for a recommendation for an after-hours or urgent care clinic.