Advice on Broken Toe

I've broken a toe twice (different toes). First time - the big toe - was a big hassle of emergency room, x-rays, waiting, blah-blah they do nothing for a broken toe and it was a big fat waste of time and money. I don't remember them even taping the thing. Second time, (second to smalles toe) I just suffered through it. And yes, my big toe hurts now forever when the whether changes... but the other toe doesn't . Whaddaya gonna do, right?

1 mom found this helpful

I used to work for a podiatrist. There isn't really anything you can do for broken toes, except taping the broken toe to the bigger toe next to it, with 1/2" tape from the pharmacy. So easy to do. Don't waste your money by going to the doctor, unless you are having pain for more than 6-8 weeks. You can take 2-3 Ibuprofen 3 times a day with food, and Tylenol as directed on the bottle for pain relief. Ice for 10 minutes several times a day will work too for pain and swelling. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

I broke my toe years ago and my brother who's a nurse said to just tape it to the toe next to it and elevate it. He said a doctor wouldn't do anything more than that.

Agree with the other responses - the waiting at the hospital (you'll be there for HOURS because a broken toe is not a life-threatening emergency and you'll keep getting pushed back for more serious cases) and the hospital bills alone will be more painful than the broken toe!

Elevate it, put ice on it, and stay off your feet as much as you can. Make an appointment with your physician to have it looked at. That's really about all you can do, even though it might hurt really badly.

It's always worth checking out something that may be broken. You really don't want any potential avoidable problems like ongoing foot pain that may require surgery later when it's an adjustment and splinting now.
really. Seems minor, but could be major later. good luck and happy healing.

You will just have an ER bill and tapes toes. Unfortunately, there isn't really much that can be done. I was once told that toes don't really heal from a break since they are not like a broken arm or leg. You can buy a kit at Walgreens for this kind of injury. I think it contains a small splint and tape. And buy some Motrin to help with the pain. Elevating will help with any swelling and pressure.

I broke my big toe years ago. I got x-rays and pain meds. Nothing more. Maybe it depends on which toe it is, but I can tell you that with my big toe they did nothing. I kept it up when I could, kept ice on it for a few days and then after that it just had to heal.

Lamb's wool padding. You can find in at most drug stores. Just put in between your toe and sock, it will save your life.

They generally won't do anything for it. Your toes basically serve little purpose for walking etc. Try taping it together to an adjoining toe, ice and ibuprofin for pain.

I would make an appointment with a foot dr. they can take x-ray of your foot and maybe wrap or tape it and give you a walking shoe. Good luck

I broke my toe several years ago and went to the hospital because my foot was so swollen. They took x-rays to verify it was broken, and just taped it to another toe so it wouldn't move and gave me an open shoe and some pain killers for the pain. There isn't much they can do, but what they did do, really helped.

pretty much, they may splint it but other than that there is nothing they can do

Yes - what everyone else said. The only thing I would add is that if you think it's possible that you have a break farther up in your foot then it would be worth checking into. Does the bruising and pain extend far into your foot, or is it pretty much localized to your toe?

Anyway, ice, tape, elevate, and wear some stiffer shoes with more support until it heals. Broken toes suck - I've broken two of mine.

Hi A. D
I believe he is correct, however they would at least give you some pain medication. You should call your Dr. and ask he/she may have some helpful advise to give you over the phone, possibly even wrap it or a walking shoe to support it then it would not get squished in your shoe.
Good Luck
V.