Symptoms & Treatment For a Broken Toe

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Ouch! Have you ever stubbed your toe on the coffee table in the middle of the night or dropped something on your toe? It hurts and when it breaks, you realize what an important role that little part of your body actually plays!

There are several bones in your toes that can break and a stub, hit or trip can cause a broken toe to occur. How do you know if your toe is actually broken? Here are a few things to look for:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Bruising or discoloration
• Difficulty walking

If you are a “tough it out” type of person, it may not be the wisest action to take when it comes to a broken toe. When elevation, ice, rest and medication does not work or if you have severe pain and cannot walk, it is time to get it looked at. Dr. Tina Boucher, foot specialist in Meriden, CT regularly treats athletes, dancers and regular patients who have sustained toe injuries and prompt treatment is important.

If the skin is broken near the injured toe, you are at a higher risk for infection making it necessary to be cleaned and bandaged. If the toe is bent or deformed, the fractured bone may need to be put back into place. Dr. Boucher may use buddy taping to splint the injured toe to the nearest toe, prescribe a stiff bottomed open shoe that prevents your toe flexing or casting if necessary.

It may be a small injury in the grand scheme of things but a toe injury that is not properly cared for can significantly interrupt your daily activities and halt your exercise routine. If you have a toe injury, make an appointment with our podiatric office for treatment today. Call (203) 238-3668 or visit us at www.centralctfootcare.com.

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