Tessa Quinn
A broken toe is a common injury that can be treated in several ways, depending on the location and type of fracture. Most broken toes will heal with rest and at-home care, but in some cases, medical treatment is required. This can include buddy taping, special shoes, manipulation, or, in rare cases, surgery. Here is an overview of the different treatment options available for a broken toe.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Rest | Most broken toes heal on their own with rest and at-home care |
| At-home care | For the first 24 hours, ice the toe for 20 minutes every hour while awake, then 2-3 times a day. Keep the foot raised to reduce swelling. Take pain medication if necessary. |
| Medical treatment | A healthcare provider will evaluate the injury and determine if further treatment is required. This may include buddy taping, special shoes, manipulation, or surgery. |
| Buddy taping | Involves wrapping tape around the injured toe and the neighbouring toe, with a small cotton wad between them to prevent moisture. |
| Special shoes | A rigid, stiff-bottomed shoe may be recommended to accommodate swelling and protect the toe. Once the swelling subsides, a solid, stable shoe or boot walker should be worn. |
| Manipulation | If the toe is crooked or out of place, manipulation or reduction may be performed to realign the fracture. |
| Surgery | In rare cases, surgery may be required if tiny bone fragments have broken off and are preventing proper healing. |
Rest and at-home care
Most broken toes will heal with rest and at-home care. However, it is still recommended to see a healthcare provider to evaluate your injury and ensure it does not require further treatment.
For the first 24 hours, ice your toe for 20 minutes every hour you are awake, and then 2 to 3 times a day thereafter. Do not apply ice directly to the skin. Keep your foot raised to reduce swelling. Over-the-counter pain medication can be taken if necessary, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin (excluding for children), or acetaminophen.
Buddy taping is a recommended at-home treatment. This involves wrapping tape around the broken toe and the toe next to it to provide support and stability. A small piece of cotton wool or gauze should be placed between the toes to prevent moisture, and this should be changed daily.
Wider and stiff-bottomed shoes may be more comfortable and can help protect the toe and make room for swelling. Once the swelling has gone down, a solid, stable shoe or boot walker should be worn. It is important to slowly increase daily walking and return to normal activity as the swelling reduces.
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Medical evaluation
While broken toes usually heal with rest and at-home care, it is important to seek medical evaluation to ensure proper healing and rule out the need for further treatment. Here is a detailed overview of the medical evaluation process for a broken toe:
Initial Assessment
During the initial evaluation, a healthcare provider will visually inspect the injured toe, looking for signs of bruising, swelling, and deformity. They will also consider the location of the injury and the type of fracture, as these factors influence the treatment approach.
Imaging Tests
If the injury is severe or the toe appears misaligned, the provider may order X-rays to confirm the fracture and assess its extent. X-rays provide detailed images of the bones, helping determine if the bone is displaced or if there are any broken fragments.
Pain Management
Medical professionals will also address pain management. They may recommend over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen. It is important to note that aspirin should not be given to children. If pain levels are high, the provider may prescribe stronger painkillers.
Buddy Taping
A common in-office treatment is buddy taping. This involves wrapping tape around the broken toe and the adjacent toe to provide support and stability. A small piece of cotton wool or gauze is placed between the toes to prevent moisture buildup, and this should be changed daily.
Special Shoes
To accommodate swelling and protect the injured toe, a healthcare provider may recommend wearing a rigid, stiff-bottomed shoe. This type of shoe ensures the toe remains properly positioned during the healing process.
Referral for Surgery
In rare cases, if the bone is severely displaced or there are broken bone fragments, surgery may be required. The provider will refer the patient to a foot and ankle surgeon, who will determine the best surgical approach to realign the bone and ensure proper healing.
It is important to remember that while most broken toes can be treated without surgery, seeking medical evaluation is crucial to rule out more serious injuries and ensure optimal healing.
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Buddy taping
While most broken toes will heal on their own with rest and some at-home care, it is still recommended to see a healthcare provider to evaluate your injury and ensure it does not require further treatment. One common at-home treatment method for a broken toe is buddy taping.
To begin the buddy taping process, place a small piece of cotton wool, gauze, or a cotton wad between the broken toe and the toe next to it. Then, wrap a piece of tape around both toes to support and stabilize the broken toe. The tape should be secure but not too tight, and it should be changed daily.
An alternative to traditional buddy taping is the use of 3pp Toe Loops, which are thin, flexible loops that secure two toes together without the need for tape or latex. They are designed to be comfortable and easy to use, allowing shoes to be worn over them. 3pp Toe Loops are washable and reusable, reducing the risk of skin infection associated with traditional taping methods. They come in two sizes: wide for the hallux and narrow for the other toes.
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Special shoes
While most broken toes will heal with rest and at-home care, it is still important to seek advice from a healthcare provider to ensure your injury does not require further treatment.
You may find that it is painful to wear regular footwear. In this case, wider shoes may be more comfortable. It is important to keep your foot raised to help reduce swelling, and you can ice your toe to help with this. You should also take pain medication if necessary.
After the initial healing period, you can slowly increase the amount of walking you do each day. You can return to normal activity once the swelling has gone down and you are wearing a stable and protective shoe. There may be some soreness and stiffness when you walk, but this will go away as the muscles in your toe stretch and strengthen.
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Surgery
Foot and ankle surgeons divide toe fractures into two categories: traumatic fractures and stress fractures. Traumatic fractures are caused by a direct blow or impact and can be displaced or non-displaced. A displaced fracture means that the end of the bone has partially or completely separated, causing it to change position.
If surgery is required, the procedure can typically be completed in about two hours. The length of surgery depends on the extent of the damage. During the surgery, the surgeon will manipulate and realign the broken bone.
After surgery, the recovery process can take upwards of six to eight weeks. During this time, it is important to follow the surgeon's recommendations for care. Your doctor will likely take X-rays to ensure the area is healing properly. Swelling and inflammation may linger for several months, but this is a normal side effect. It is important to avoid exercise until cleared by the surgeon to prevent re-injury.
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Frequently asked questions
You should see a healthcare provider to evaluate your injury, especially if there is severe pain or swelling. Most broken toes will heal on their own with rest and at-home care, but more significant injuries may require further medical treatment.
For the first 24 hours, ice your toe for 20 minutes every hour you are awake, then 2 to 3 times a day. Do not apply ice directly to the skin. Keep your foot raised to help keep swelling down. You can take over-the-counter pain medicine if necessary. You may also want to wear wider or stiff-bottomed shoes to protect your toe and make room for swelling.
If your toe is crooked or looks out of place, you should go to the hospital as the bone may be out of place and may need to be straightened to heal properly. You should also seek medical treatment if you have injured your big toe, as these injuries may need a cast or splint to heal.
