Did I break my toe?
 

Hi there

Earlier today I snagged my little toe on the table leg and bent it backwards. It didn't hurt too bad at first , but now it's a bit swollen, noticeably red, and stiff. It's beginning to hurt when I walk on it.

Does that sound broken? I'm a little concerned because this is the foot I had surgery on about 6 years ago.

Whata ya think?

Well, every time I broke a toe I could "feel" it "snap"....like a shock.

So I'm guessing you may of pulled a ligament or something instead. But, I'm no dr. Do ice it for the swelling...

Tape it to a buddy toe, and put some cold compresses on it....

Tape it to the next toe and ice it..even if its broken all they will do is tape it anyway. be there done that.

Not sure. Every time I have broken a toe, I have had mine go blue/purple and very swollen.

Put a cold compress on it and tape it to the next one.

Hate it for you.

Ice and elevate like was stated above buddy tape it and wear as solid bottom shoe as you can find for stabilization. This about all we would do in ortho for some one that came in with a broken toe. If you have an old op shoe that you wore after surgery that would would be great. Make sure you put a little bit of cotton between the toes when you tape to avoid ulcerating the skin.

The color usually tells the story.

Red, just a sprain.
Purple and yellow - broke.

I've broken all my toes (except for my two big toes)...Next time put ice on it within twenty minutes of banging it. probably too late now. Good luck.

Usually you end up with a thin blue line around the toe where the break is.

Broken all of mine except the twp smallest, some of them twice :(

Mon

Like Nickie, my experience with a broken toe involved hearing a sound like a twig snapping, then some unfortunate pain and swelling. They don't do anything about broken toes.

I so hope the pain eases quickly for you.

I've broken a toe or two. They didn't snap (eek) or change color. Unless something has changed recently they won't do anything but tape it to your next toe if you seek medical care. Elevate, ice, and take Tylenol. Wear supportive, comfortable shoes. I think I had to get shoes a size bigger because my foot swelled.

I've broken my little toes so many times they don't even resemble toes anymore. They are just lumpy appendages with a wonky bit of nail attached. Tape it to it's neighbor, ice it and try to get some rest. I'm sorry this has happened to you.

Demeter

You may have dislocated it. I've done that with my little toe on both feet. DH had to pull it to snap it back into place. If it is broken, all the doctor will do is tape it to the toe next to it, like others have said. Keep it propped up to help with the swelling and throbbing and take some type of anti-inflamatory.

DD has broken a finger and a toe neither one got red or purple. It was a severe break on her big toe so they immobilized her foot and put her on crutches. For the little toe they would be less worried about it affecting balance and such so even less need to do something besides making things more comfortable.

I accidently kicked a chair leg a few months ago and my toe turned purple and was sore as can be for about 48 hours.

Then it was fine.

I can't add more except, see how it is in a few days, as I am sure you will know by then if you need to be seen by a Dr. Why? My DS broke one of his big toes so badly, he was required to wear a boot for six weeks (yes a loud crack, too). It must have been where the break was. Myself, I have broken a number of toes, including one of my big toes. I did the same as everyone else here, inconvenient, hurts, but time is the healer. Most important thing is to give it time to heal properly! BTW- I taped my toes when broken and all healed fairly straight.

Yep. Last time I broke a toe I was lucky enough that my mother had a home health nurse visiting the same day. (Wound care for a secondary infection on a spider bite... country people have all the fun!)

Same instructions. Tape it up, get it comfortable.

If it causes you to limp, just take off the other shoe and kick that table leg with the other foot. That won't make you feel any better but you won't limp any more!

I'm sorry <> The devil made me say that.

Well, I thought it was funny.

This is absolutely right. Even if it is broken, the only thing they do is tape it to the toes on both sides. Let's face it, they don't cast a toe.

After you finish screaming and cursing you tape it to the next toe (carefully as not to cut off the circulation). Even if it's broken there's not much else that can be done. ((hugs))

It's starting to feel better and turning the loveliest colors :pound:

However, I think I'll take it easy this weekend.