Although they are relatively small parts of the human body, the toes have different bones that can cause problems when broken. Typically, a broken toe can occur from blunt force trauma or from some kind of stress fracture. If you believe that you have broken your toe, it is best to err on the side of caution and contact a medical professional, such as a podiatrist, to get your injury assessed. It is possible that during this examination the podiatrist will ask you specific questions about the injury. It is also possible that an X-ray examination may be conducted. Besides an X-ray, a medical professional might similarly perform bone scans, an MRI, or a CT scan. This is done to give the practitioner a better sense of the underlying injury and how it affected the bones in the toes. If you suspect a broken toe, schedule an appointment with a podiatrist today. 

A broken toe can be very painful and lead to complications if not properly fixed. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Bill Brown, DPM from Brown Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What to Know About a Broken Toe

Although most people try to avoid foot trauma such as banging, stubbing, or dropping heavy objects on their feet, the unfortunate fact is that it is a common occurrence. Given the fact that toes are positioned in front of the feet, they typically sustain the brunt of such trauma. When trauma occurs to a toe, the result can be a painful break (fracture).

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Throbbing pain
• Swelling
• Bruising on the skin and toenail
• The inability to move the toe
• Toe appears crooked or disfigured
• Tingling or numbness in the toe

Generally, it is best to stay off of the injured toe with the affected foot elevated.

Severe toe fractures may be treated with a splint, cast, and in some cases, minor surgery. Due to its position and the pressure it endures with daily activity, future complications can occur if the big toe is not properly treated.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Scranton, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.