Brief overview
- What to do in case of a broken toe? Cooling, immobilization, elevation, pain relief if necessary.
- Broken toe – risks: including comminuted fracture, compartment syndrome, soft tissue damage, nail bed injury
- When to see a doctor? Always have a (supposedly) broken toe examined by a doctor to prevent permanent damage (such as malposition) if necessary.
Attention.
- A broken little toe can often be recognized by the clear deformity.
- If you have to walk despite a broken toe, put on comfortable shoes with a firm sole. If possible, do not move or put any weight on the affected toe.
- Diabetes patients often suffer from sensory disturbances in the foot and therefore often notice a broken toe late. The resulting delay in starting treatment can delay healing.
Broken toe: How to recognize?
- Malposition
- severe pain
- limited mobility
- swelling
- bluish to black discoloration under the nail or on the whole toe due to a hematoma (sometimes)
If the big toe is broken, the symptoms are the same as for the other toes. However, this is the most problematic type of toe fracture because the big toe carries the most weight.
Broken toe: what to do?
- Cooling: Wrap an ice pack or cold pack in a cloth and gently hold it on the broken toe. This can relieve pain and swelling.
- Immobilize: Move the broken toe as little as possible and do not put weight on it (for example, do not step or walk).
- Elevate: To counteract swelling, elevate the foot with the broken toe, preferably above heart level.
Broken toe: risks
For example, if you accidentally hit the bedpost or a table leg while walking, or if a heavy object falls on your toe, often more than one toe is broken. Sometimes the injury turns out to be worse:
- Shattered bone: If a heavy object falls on the foot, often several toes are broken. Here, so-called shattered zones can also occur, i.e. the bone does not break into two parts, but into many small pieces.
- Nail bed injury: The nail bed is often also injured in a toe fracture. It must then also be treated, otherwise the nail may splinter. Deformation of the nail and chronic infection are then possible consequences. A displaced nail must be removed and, if necessary, sutured closed. Alternatively, in some cases, splinting can be performed with the original nail or an artificial nail.
- Compartment syndrome: In compartment syndrome, tissue pressure increases due to swelling and bruising in a muscle lodge (group of muscles enclosed by a barely stretchable fascia). This can pinch off nerves and vessels within the lodge, causing the tissue to die.
Compartment syndrome is a medical emergency that needs surgery ASAP!
Broken toe: When to see a doctor?
Broken toe: Examinations by the doctor
In order to clarify whether the toe is broken or sprained, the doctor will first ask you as a first-aider or the affected person about the course of the accident and the medical history (anamnesis). Possible questions the doctor might ask during this interview include:
- How did the accident occur?
- What complaints do you have (pain, limited mobility of the foot, etc.)?
After that, the doctor will examine the toe. An open fracture is easy to recognize: Fragments of bone are visible through an open area of skin. A closed toe fracture is when the soft tissue layers overlying the fracture are not injured. Sometimes the fragments of the fractured toe are displaced (dislocated). A “bone rub” may also be heard when the toe is moved carefully.
Broken toe: treatment by the doctor
In most cases, a broken toe heals without much difficulty if treated appropriately. However, if therapy is lacking or inadequate, healing can be delayed. In addition, secondary damage (such as permanent deformities) can occur.
Broken toe: Conservative treatment
In children, a broken toe usually only needs to be taped for about three weeks. Adults should wear the bandage for four to five weeks until the pain has subsided. If the deformity still remains, surgery may be necessary.
Broken toe: surgical treatment
In some cases, a broken toe requires surgery. This is necessary, for example, in the case of a severely displaced toe fracture, a toe fracture with joint involvement or an open fracture.
Broken toe: healing time
In most cases, a broken toe can be treated well. The healing time depends, among other things, on the type of fracture (smooth, shattered, etc.). On average, it takes about five to six weeks for the bone to heal. The toe can then be fully loaded again and no longer hurts.
