Broken toes?

JB116 · ‎10-12-2016

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?

Shogirl · ‎12-06-2010

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.

Poodlepet2 · ‎03-09-2010

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

software · ‎06-08-2016

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?

SXMGirl · ‎07-07-2010

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.

The next time that I hear salt and ice together, it better be in a margarita!

Magny · ‎10-18-2011

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.

Lipstickdiva · ‎03-10-2010

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.

hckynut · ‎03-10-2010

@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)

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

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.

noodleann · ‎06-10-2015

@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.