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Fractured toe



NHS Choices Syndication

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Broken toe

Introduction

A broken toe is a common injury, usually caused by dropping a heavy object on the foot or hitting the toe on something. It usually takes four to six weeks to heal.

A break or a crack in a bone is also known as a fracture.

This advice is about the care of a toe following an injury. If you’re not sure whether the toe is broken or just badly injured, don’t worry – in most cases, a painful and swollen toe caused by an injury should be cared for at home, regardless of whether or not it is broken. Learn more about sprains and strains.

If you have a painful swollen toe but no injury, see your GP, especially if you have diabetes.

How do I know if I’ve broken my toe?

A broken toe will be painful, swollen and red. There may be bruising of the skin around the area and sometimes a collection of blood beneath the toenail. You will find it difficult to walk and wearing a shoe will be painful.

If the break is severe, the toe may stick out at an angle.

Most broken toes can be cared for at home and medical treatment may not be necessary.

When to see your GP

Check the toe every day and call your GP if:

  • The pain gets worse or is not relieved by ordinary painkillers. Your GP may be able to prescribe a stronger painkiller.
  • The swelling or discolouration doesn’t improve after a few days
  • You have a wound near the injured toe, which will need cleansing to prevent infection.

When to go to hospital

Go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department if:

  • your toes are cold and numb or tingling (as you may have damaged the nerves)
  • the skin on your toe has turned blue or grey
  • you have severely injured the toe

Severe toe fractures

If the break is severe and bone has broken away at an angle, this will need to be moved back into place during a procedure known as a reduction. 

You will be given an injection of local anaesthetic to numb the area and doctors can often realign the bone through the skin without making any cuts.

If a break is particularly severe, surgery may be needed so that special pins or screws can be fixed to the broken bone to keep it in place while it heals.

A broken big toe may need to be supported in a cast. If a lot of blood is trapped underneath the toenail and it is very painful, the blood will need to be drained through a small hole made in your nail, or the nail will need to be removed.

You may be given crutches so you can walk without putting weight on the toe.

A broken toe bone that has pierced the skin and damaged the surrounding tissue may become infected, so the wound will need to be cleansed regularly.

Published Date
2013-04-16 10:44:42Z
Last Review Date
2012-12-12 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date
2014-12-12 00:00:00Z
Classification
Foot,Fractures

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