Broken Toe

Updated on April 09, 2010
P.S. asks from Eugene, OR
12 answers

How long does it take for a broken toe to get all healed?????

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So What Happened?

Thank you so much everyone who wrote about my broken toe. All your answers helped me alot & let me know it will take awhile for my toe to heal. It's been 3 weeks today since I broke the one next to my pinky toe. Sure hurts when I have to cram it into a shoe or if my shoe rubs on it. Sounds like I have another couple months before it gets better. Thanks for all the info & your experences.
From, P. M. Junctoin City, Oregon.

Featured Answers

D.D.

answers from New York on

I'm a professional klutz and have broken several toes over the years. Healing time varies between 4-8 weeks. Very painful so try to keep walking to a minimum and wear comfortable shoes.

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M.S.

answers from Philadelphia on

depends on how bad a break. i chip fractured 2 of my toes last year and they didn't heal for 4 weeks

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R.J.

answers from San Diego on

Forever. I HATE broken toes.

Okay, so not that long. It really depends on both how bad the break was, and how immobile it can be kept.

Toes aren't usually cast or splinted, so it's possible to go around for months rebreaking the break. BTDT.

Theoretically a broken toe should mend as fast as any other bone (about 6 weeks)... but if you're like me, and keep jostling it, it will take a great deal longer.

Taping it can sometimes help. As do steel toe boots... as long as you're not wacking the toe to get them INTO the durn boots.

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R.M.

answers from Nashville on

I broke my little toe about a year ago, and I swear it took 6 mos for it to stop hurting. It hurt constantly for about 2-3 mos, but with certain shoes and if I bumped it, it would hurt for several more.

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S.B.

answers from Redding on

Broken toes are horrible!
I broke mine one morning ironing my clothes for work. I bumped the ironing board with my hip and the iron fell on my big toe. (I was trying to keep the ironing board from falling over). God, it hurts! My poor toe was so bruised, it looked like it woud decay and fall off. I did lose my toe nail.
My boss didn't appreciate me not being able to wear regular shoes, but there wasn't anything I could do about it. You can try a toe splint or taping, but the only thing that really makes a difference is time.
It seemed like it took forever for me to be able to put weight on my foot with my broken toe. I looked like a gimp and limped around, but I didn't have much choice.
Alternate ice and heat and keep it elevated as much as you can to keep the swelling down. It will get better.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

i have had broken toes, fractured toes, sprained toes... takes a long time
to heal and be pain free. At least 6-8 weeks.
I have had it splinted... wrapped, immobilized, taped to the adjacent toe. Which does help. But not real practical over time, because then it just gets annoying. And then I just end up freeing my foot/toe then I usually stub the same darn toe (the same toe that is injured) and then it gets re-injured. Great.

Anyway, if you let it heal properly.... that is best. Otherwise it can literally hurt/be tender for awhile.... or have deja vu pain.
I would really keep it wrapped/taped/immobilized if you can. That's the best.

good luck,
Susan

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J.W.

answers from Seattle on

6 weeks or longer. You need to stay off the foot. Have it splinted or braced. It's one of the more painful breaks. Take good care!

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D.J.

answers from Seattle on

For full recovery it takes 3-6 months but you need to make sure you have your rest, your calcium and vit D. And if you haven't seen a doctor yet, go and see one. Good luck!

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B.A.

answers from Portland on

FOREVER! I broke my little toe back in January and it's still tender to touch or bend too far. Most of the time I'm fine, but then I'll tap it on something or my 14mo son will stand on it, and OWWW!

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C.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

What toe did you break? If you broke your big toe, you should see a doctor. You may need crutches or a walking boot for 4-6 weeks. If you broke a smaller toe, I found companion taping and getting a special "broken toe" sandal was really helpful for a week or so.

Yes, I've had my share of broken toes.

C.
www.littlebitquirky.blogspot.com

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S.M.

answers from Casper on

There are herbs you can take to speed the healing process, such as comfrey, I like Dr. Christopher's calcium formula, and complete tissue and bone formula also.

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K.N.

answers from Austin on

I slipped last year (on stairs) and broke my big toe and a fractured the smaller ones, plus some of the little bones on the top of my foot. Honestly, it depends on which toe you broke... I always thought that if you broke a toe (any toe), the doctors won't do anything for it... Not necessarily true.

The big toe carries 50% of the weight carried by that foot (or, 25% of your total weight). So you have to be careful if you broke your Big Toe! If it doesn't heal properly, you might have to have surgery to put pins in it (in order to avoid arthritis and other problems later on). If you broke the other toes, they should be kept protected and stable, but don't pose as much of a concern (in regard to orthopedic complications).

I had my fall in early November... My doctor didn't say the bones had healed until mid-February... and even then it was still a touch sensitive and I could only wear wide width athletic shoes. So, for me, it took 3.5 months for the fractures to heal... but at least 4-6 months more for the sensitivity to go away. (That was the summer that I didn't wear any heels or pumps!)

You might want to see if you can purchase a non-cast "orthopedic boot" for the time it will take for the toes to heal. (Inquire at your pharmacy to see if they sell them). I know it sucks to hobble around in a boot... But athletic shoes are going to be too restrictive, especially if your foot/toes are swollen and you definitely don't want to wear anything with a heel (which would attribute weight on the ball of your foot and toes, plus bend your toes). Flip-flops aren't good, because those types of shoes force your toes to grasp the bottom of the shoe when you walk (to hold it on) and that's gonna hurt and delay healing.

Remember to boost your calcium supplements.

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