Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 4: Getting the diagnosis
• Part 2 of 4: Treating cracks in the bone
• Part 3 of 4: Treating complicated fractures
• Part 4 of 4: Dealing with complications
• Tips
• Warnings

Toes are made up of small bones (called phalanges), which can break if they are hit hard. In most cases, there is only a hairline crack, which means that there is a small crack in the surface, but that the bone has not shifted or poked through the skin.In rare cases, the bone is shattered (shattered fracture), or on broken in such a way that it skews and pokes through the skin (an open or complicated fracture). It is important to know how serious the injury to your toe is, as that will determine what treatment is necessary.

To step

Part 1 of 4: Getting the diagnosis

1. Make an appointment with your doctor. If your toe hurts suddenly from a particular injury and it doesn't go away after a few days, make an appointment with your doctor. Your doctor can examine your toe and foot, ask questions about how the injury occurred, and perhaps take an X-ray to determine how serious the injury is and what type of fracture it is. However, the doctor is not a specialist in the musculoskeletal system, so you will likely be referred to a trained doctor.
   • The most common symptoms of a broken toe include severe pain, swelling, stiffness and often bruising from bleeding under the skin. Walking is difficult and running or jumping are nearly impossible without terrible pain.
   • An ostheopath, podiatrist, chiropractor and physiotherapist can also help you make the diagnosis.
2. Go to a specialist. Small cracks, bone splinters, and bruises are not considered a serious medical condition, but a crushed bone or displaced fracture often requires medical intervention, especially when it comes to the big toe. A medical specialist such as an orthopedist or a rehabilitation doctor can better assess the seriousness of the situation and prescribe the correct treatment. Sometimes a broken toe is related to a disease that affects and weakens the bones, such as bone cancer, bone inflammation, osteoporosis or diabetes, so the specialist should include this in his examination as well.
   • The specialist can use X-rays, a bone scan, MRI, CT scan, or ultrasound to make the diagnosis.
   • Usually a broken toe is the result of something heavy falling on the toe, or the toe bumping on something very hard and heavy.
3. Know what types of fractures there are and what are the appropriate treatments for them. Make sure the doctor clearly explains the diagnosis to you (including what type of fracture it is) and let him / her tell you about the different treatment options. A small tear can often be treated at home, but a crushed, displaced, or deformed toe is usually more serious and often needs medical treatment.
   • The little toe (the 5th) and the big toe (the 1st) are broken more often than the other toes.
   • The toe may also be dislocated, which looks like a fracture, but this difference becomes apparent after physical examination and X-rays.

Part 2 of 4: Treating cracks in the bone

1. Follow the R.I.C.E protocol. The most effective treatment for minor musculoskeletal injuries (including hairline cracks) is also referred to as the R.I.C.E. protocol, which stands for peace, ice, compression and elevation. The first step is rest --- temporarily stop all activities to deal with the injury. Next, you need to cool the broken toe as soon as possible (by wrapping ice in a thin towel, or using an ice pack) to reduce internal bleeding and inflammation, preferably while keeping your leg elevated (elevation) on a chair or a pile pillows (which also help against inflammation). You should put ice on the toe for 10 to 15 minutes every hour, only when the swelling and pain subsides after a few days you can taper off. If the ice is pressed against the foot with a pressure bandage (compression), it also helps against the inflammation.
   • Do not wrap the compression bandage too tightly around your foot, and do not leave it on for more than 15 minutes at a time, as obstructing blood flow can cause further damage to your foot.
   • Most simple fractures heal well, often within 4 to 6 weeks, after which you can slowly start moving again.
2. Take painkillers. Your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin, or regular painkillers such as acetaminophen to soothe the pain and fight the inflammation.
   • These drugs can affect your stomach, liver and kidneys, so don't take them for more than 2 weeks at a time.
3. Tape your toes together for more support. By taping your broken toe to the toe next to it, it will get more support and stay upright better. Clean your toes and feet well with alcohol and use medical tape that is preferably waterproof so that you can shower with it. Change the tape every few days for several weeks.
   • You can also put some gauze or felt between your toes before sticking them together with tape to prevent skin irritation
   • To make your own splint, you can put popsicle sticks on either side of your toes before joining them together with tape.
   • If you cannot tape your own toes, ask your doctor, specialist, chiropractor, podiatrist, or physical therapist for help.
4. Wear comfortable shoes for 4-6 weeks. After you break your toe, wear comfortable shoes with plenty of room in the front to fit in with swollen toes and tape. Choose shoes with a lot of support and thick soles and avoid wearing heels for a few months, as these push the weight forward and pinch your toes.
   • If the swelling or inflammation is severe, you can also wear open sandals that provide adequate support. Just keep in mind that they don't protect your toes. You can also put some gauze or felt between your toes before sticking them together with tape to prevent skin irritation.

Part 3 of 4: Treating complicated fractures

1. Have it blunt. If the broken bones do not straighten properly, the orthopedic surgeon can put the pieces back in place. In some cases, a fracture can be performed without surgery, depending on the number of bone pieces and their position. A local anesthetic may be given to relieve the pain. If the skin is broken by the fracture, the wound will also need to be stitched and the skin disinfected.
   • An open fracture is urgent, because there can be a lot of blood loss, and because there is a risk of inflammation or necrosis (death of tissue due to lack of oxygen).
   • Sometimes strong painkillers are first given until the patient is anesthetized in the operating room.
   • In severe fractures, it may be necessary to insert pins or screws into the bone to hold it in place until healed.
   • Not only open fractures are set, but any fracture where the bones are not properly in place.
2. Wear a splint. After insertion of the broken toe, a splint may be needed to protect and support the toe so that it can heal properly. You may also need to wear an inflatable brace, and you will likely need to walk with crutches for a short time (about 2 weeks). During this time, try to walk as little as possible and rest with your foot elevated as much as possible.
   • While a splint does provide support and cushioning, it doesn't provide much protection, so be very careful not to bump your toe when you walk.
   • While the bone is healing, eat foods high in minerals, especially calcium, magnesium and boron, plus vitamin D to make your bones strong.
3. Get your toe in a cast. If more than one toe is broken or if other bones in your foot are damaged (such as your metatarsal bones), the doctor may put your foot in a cast. A short walking cast may also be advisable if the pieces of bone do not hold together properly. Most broken bones heal successfully once in place and are protected from further injury or excessive pressure.
   • After surgery, and especially if it is subsequently cast, a severely broken toe is usually healed after 6-8 weeks, depending on the location and severity of the injury. If you've been in a cast for that long, your foot may need to rehabilitate as described below.
   • Your doctor can take X-rays again after two weeks to see if the bones are straight and healed properly.

Part 4 of 4: Dealing with complications

1. Watch for signs of infection. If the skin is broken, you run the risk of the bone or surrounding tissue becoming inflamed. If it is inflamed, it will be swollen, red, warm and tender to the touch. Sometimes pus comes out (meaning your white blood cells are at work) and can smell foul. If you have an open fracture, your doctor may prescribe a 2-week course of antibiotics as a precaution to prevent the growth and spread of bacteria.
   • Your doctor will carefully examine the area and prescribe antibiotics if there is an infection.
   • Your doctor may also give you a tetanus shot if a severe fracture is caused by something piercing or tearing the skin.
2. Wear insoles. Arch supports are special insoles that support the arch of your foot so that you can move more easily. If you've had a broken toe, especially the big toe, the biomechanics of your foot and your gait may have been negatively altered by limping or pulling with your leg. Arch supports can help prevent problems in other joints such as the ankles, knees and hips.
   • With a serious fracture, there is always a risk of developing arthritis in the surrounding joints, but with orthotics you can reduce this risk.
3. Get referred to a physiotherapist. When the pain and inflammation are gone and the broken toe heals, you may notice that your foot is less strong or it is more difficult to move it. If so, ask your doctor to refer you to a sports doctor or physical therapist who can offer you a variety of strengthening exercises, stretches, or therapies to help improve your movement, balance, coordination, and strength.
   • A podiatrist, osteopath or chiropractor can also help you rehabilitate your foot.

Tips

• If you have diabetes or peripheral neuropathy (loss of sensation in the toes), do not tape your toes together as blisters may form and you will not feel if you have applied the tape too tightly.
• You don't have to stop moving completely if your toe is broken, just do things that don't put pressure on your toes, such as swimming or exercising with upper body weights.
• After about 10 days, you can alternate the ice therapy with moist heat (such as a "heat kernel" or a rice or bean bag from the microwave) to relieve pain and stimulate blood flow.
• Acupuncture can be an alternative to anti-inflammatory or painkillers.

Warnings

• Use this article NOT as a substitute for medical assistance.