Is My Toe Stubbed or Broken? 3 Tips to Help You Decide

September 12, 2018

Amber Allen

It’s Important to Know in Case You Need Further Treatment

Knowing the difference between a stubbed and broken toe is crucial to preventing further injury, and while the pain may make it seem like you broke your toe, it’s important to assess your pain accurately (and often) to determine if you’ll need an x-ray and further treatment. Here are some more tips to help you decide what’s best to do next.

How to Tell the Difference Between a Stubbed & Broken Toe

While stubbing your toe may seem earth-shattering, breaking it can be far worse. A stubbed toe is simply a toe that’s been badly slammed, and may show signs of swelling or bruising, but there is no serious injury under the surface. However, a broken toe is a more severe injury with harsher symptoms and greater consequences: prolonged pain, stiffness, infection, and deformity.

Give It Time

Just after the injury, there is no way to avoid that inevitable pain, but how long the pain remains will be a clue as to whether or not it’s broken. If it only hurts for a couple of hours, then it’s probably just stubbed. If it hurts the rest of the day and longer, you may have a fracture.

Look for Dark Bruising and Discoloration

When you stub your toe, it’s normal to expect some bruising and even some blood under the toenail. But, if the discoloration lasts for a few days, if it spreads, or if it seems like there is too much blood under the nail, you might have a broken toe. Pay attention to the color too! Is it the same color as your bruises normally are? Or is it darker or more abnormal? These could be signs of a more serious injury.

Compare to Matching Toe on Other Foot

Assess the shape of your injured toe. If you compare your injured toe to its matching partner on your other foot, and there’s a noticeable difference in shape, you may need to see a doctor. If your toe is slightly crooked or stuck in a bent position, either upwards or downwards, it’s in your best interest to get an x-ray.

What to Do if You Think It’s a Broken Toe

If all signs point to a broken toe, it’s time to get off of it and get some help. We suggest elevating your toe and icing it until you can see your podiatrist for further examination. Depending on the severity of your break or fracture, our foot specialists will recommend one of the following treatments:

• Splinting the broken toe

• Securing your toe to another toe to prevent further strain

• Suggesting protective and corrective footwear

• To correct a severe fracture, your doctor may need to reset the fracture with surgery

Expect a Broken Toe to Take 4-6 Weeks to Heal

While it all depends on the severity of your injury, most broken toes take between four and six weeks to fully heal. In those weeks of healing, your podiatrist may recommend other treatment options or leave you with instructions for at-home care. No matter how long it takes to heal, it’s extremely important to follow your doctor’s instructions to ensure it heals properly.

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Broken Toe: Symptoms, Recovery, and More

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Learning to recognize the symptoms and treatment of a broken toe is important. If a broken toe is left untreated, it can lead to problems that may affect your ability to walk and run.

If you’ve ever stubbed your toe hard, the immediate, severe pain can leave you wondering if your toe is broken. In many cases, the injury winds up being a sprain. This is painful, but it means the bone itself is still intact.

If the toe bone breaks into one or more pieces, then you have a broken toe.

A poorly treated broken toe may also leave you in a lot of pain.

Throbbing pain in the toe is the first sign that it may be broken. You may also hear the bone break at the time of injury. A broken bone, also called a fracture, may also cause swelling at the break.

If you’ve broken your toe, the skin near the injury may looked bruised or temporarily change color. You’ll also have difficulty putting any weight on your toe. Walking, or even just standing, can be painful. A bad break can also dislocate the toe, which can cause it to rest at an unnatural angle.

A sprained toe shouldn’t look dislocated. It will still swell, but will likely have less bruising. A sprained toe may be painful for several days, but should then begin to improve.

One other key difference between a break and a sprain is the location of the pain. Usually a break will hurt right where the bone has fractured. With a sprain, the pain may be felt in a more general area around the toe.

The only way to tell for sure if the injury is a break or a sprain is to see your doctor. They can examine your toe and determine the type of injury.

The two most common causes of a broken toe are stubbing it into something hard or having something heavy land on it. Going barefoot is a major risk factor, especially if you’re walking in the dark or in an unfamiliar environment.

If you carry heavy objects without proper foot protection, such as thick boots, you’re also at a higher risk for a broken toe.

A broken toe can usually be diagnosed with the use of an X-ray. If the pain and discoloration don’t ease up after a few days, you should definitely see your doctor.

A broken toe that doesn’t heal properly could lead to osteoarthritis, a painful condition that causes chronic pain in one or more joints.

Your doctor will examine your toe and ask for your medical history. Tell your doctor as many details as you can about the injury and your symptoms. Be sure to tell your doctor if you notice a loss of feeling or tingling in your toe. This could be a sign of nerve damage.

If there’s a chance the toe is broken, your doctor will likely want to get one or more X-rays of the injured toe. Getting images from different angles is important to understand the extent of the break.

Information from the X-ray will also help your doctor decide whether surgery is necessary.

With most cases of a broken toe, there’s little your doctor can do. It’s mostly up to you to rest your toe and keep it stable.

Even before you know whether your toe is broken, you should ice the injured toe and keep it elevated. You may also take over-the-counter painkillers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve).

If you have surgery to repair the toe, your doctor may prescribe stronger pain medicines.

Splinting your toe

Typical treatment for a broken toe is called “buddy taping.” This involves taking the broken toe and carefully securing it to the toe next to it with medical tape. Usually, a gauze pad is placed between the toes to prevent skin irritation.

The non-broken toe is basically used as a splint to help keep the broken toe from moving too much. By taping the broken toe to its neighbor, you give the injured toe the support it needs to begin healing.

Surgery and additional treatment options

More serious breaks may require additional treatment. If you have bone fragments in the toe that need to heal, taping may not be enough.

You may be advised to wear a walking cast. This helps keep the injured toe stable while also giving your foot enough support to reduce some of the pain you may have while walking.

In very serious cases, surgery may be necessary to reset the broken bone or bones. A surgeon can sometimes put a pin or a screw into the bone to help it heal properly. These pieces of hardware will remain in the toe permanently.

Your toe is likely to be tender and swollen, even after a few weeks. You’ll likely need to avoid running, playing sports, or walking long distances for one to two months after your injury.

Recovery time can be longer if the break is in one of the metatarsals. The metatarsals are the longer bones in the foot that connect to the phalanges, which are the smaller bones in the toes.

Your doctor can give you a good estimate of recovery time based on the severity and location of your injury. A mild fracture, for example, should heal faster than a more severe break.

With a walking cast, you should be able to walk and resume most non-strenuous activities within a week or two after injuring your toe. The pain should diminish gradually if the bone is healing properly.

If you feel any pain in your broken toe, stop the activity that’s causing the pain and tell your doctor.

The key to a good outcome is following through on your doctor’s advice. Learn how to tape your toe properly so you can change the tape regularly.

Carefully try to put more pressure on your broken toe each day to see how it’s recovering. Take any slight improvements in pain and discomfort as signs that your injury is healing.

Here are some things you can do to improve your recovery.

Footwear

You may temporarily need a bigger or wider shoe to accommodate your swollen foot. Consider getting a shoe with a hard sole and a lightweight top that will put less pressure on the injured toe, but still provide plenty of support.

Velcro fasteners that you can easily adjust can provide additional comfort.

Ice and elevation

Continue to ice and elevate your foot if your doctor recommends it. Wrap the ice in a cloth so that it doesn’t come into direct contact with your skin.

Take it slow

Ease back into your activities, but listen to your body. If you sense that you’re putting too much weight or stress on the toe, back off. It’s better to have a longer recovery and avoid any painful setbacks than to rush back into your activities too quickly.

Fracture of the big toe – how to determine the main symptoms and first aid

Fracture of the big toe is a fairly common injury that a person can get while playing sports, at work, walking and even at home. Pain sensations differ from the severity of the injury and its size. For example, if we are talking about a fracture of only one nail phalanx, then it is quite easy to overlook it or even confuse it with an ordinary bruise. And precisely because of the latter, a slight fracture can lead to quite serious consequences and improper fusion. We strongly recommend that, after a strong blow or injury, you can contact a medical center to rule out a fracture or start its immediate treatment.

Signs of a broken toe

Depending on the location and severity of the fracture, symptoms can vary greatly. With a crack in the phalanx, pain is practically not felt, and the victim may not even be aware of the problem, very often the bone grows without plaster and fixation. When the first phalanx of the finger is fractured, severe, aching pain is felt.

When the toes are fractured, the general symptoms are as follows:\

• a hematoma forms at the fracture site;
• possible hemorrhage;
• the skin turns dark blue, the skin around the damaged bone swells;
• severe and sharp pain on any attempt to touch or move a finger;
• unnatural mobility of the injured finger;
• inability to lean on the affected leg;
• immobility or partially limited movement of the finger;
• fever and redness at the site of localization;
• with a fragmental fracture, shortening of the finger is possible;
• with an open fracture, a wound with bone fragments;
• marked twitching or throbbing of the finger.

On physical examination, crunching of bone fragments is observed if a short time has passed since the injury. The crunch is the result of broken bones rubbing against each other. Finger fractures are combined with damage to the ligamentous apparatus, sprain and dislocation of the phalangeal joints.

How to distinguish a possible bruise from a fracture

A bruise or a fracture can be determined by several parameters:

• Features of the pain syndrome.
• Finger movement.
• Skin color at the site of swelling (contusion).
• Presence of hemorrhage.
• Phalanx shape.

The clinical picture of a finger injury is as follows:

• The victim has a sharp pain, which begins to subside with time. The nature of the pain is “aching”. Using a cold compress can speed up the process of relieving pain symptoms.
• When bruised, the finger is not deformed. Immediately after the bruise, all movements are accompanied by sharp pain (pulsation is possible), as the pain subsides, the motor activity of the finger is gradually restored.
• Depending on the nature of the bruise, the color of the skin at the site of injury may be dark red, pink, pale pink. Puffiness may appear immediately, after a day or not at all. The blood at the site of the bruise spreads diffusely (scattered), a bruise may appear.

How to diagnose a finger fracture

• On palpation, the pain increases sharply and does not go away for a long time (an hour or two).
• With a fracture, there is a sharp pain that can radiate to the nearest parts of the foot. Deformation of the phalanx, unnatural position of the finger. Bloating and strong (acute) throbbing at the fracture site.
• With a fracture, the victim cannot move the injured finger. At any attempt to stand on a sore leg, the patient experiences acute pain. To relieve pain symptoms, the affected finger is fixed in one position.
• Hemorrhages form under the nail, hematoma and edema appear, the skin becomes cyanotic.

First aid for a broken finger

If you have symptoms that indicate a possible fracture, there is no need to panic in the first place. First of all, you should call an emergency ambulance. Prior to the arrival of a physician, all the efforts of the victim should be aimed at stopping the bleeding (with an open fracture), fixing the limb and anesthesia of the injury site. To prevent negative consequences, the following rules must be observed:

• even in the absence of severe symptoms, you should not refuse to consult your doctor;
• limb fixation is one of the main stages of effective treatment;
• a broken finger must not touch foreign objects;
• fractures without displacement may not be fixed until the ambulance arrives;
• pain syndrome can be removed with the help of nimesil, analgin and ibuprofen;
• cold compress is another effective way to relieve pain.

It is important to note that when applying an ice pack, keep the compress for no more than 10 minutes to prevent possible frostbite. Repeated procedure is possible after a 3-4 minute break. Even if a fracture is suspected, experts recommend immediately contacting a specialized medical institution for qualified help.

Finger fracture treatment methods

Name	Description
Closed reduction	This method is used for a closed fracture and no displacement. Antiseptic agents are applied to the injured finger, after which the doctor returns the finger to its normal position by mechanical action (pulling). A significant disadvantage of this method is the need to repeat this procedure.
Skeletal traction	This method is used for a displaced fracture. This procedure requires a metal wire, which is passed through the finger with a small load, which allows the bones to be in a normal position. At the end of the procedure, the doctor performs immobilization.
Open methods	The surgeon performs osteosynthesis. Fixes bone fragments with special metal elements. Broken parts of the bone are connected, its correct shape is restored. Open reposition is performed for all open and multi-comminuted closed fractures. The operation also allows you to eliminate the complications that arose during the treatment.
Surgical intervention	Surgery is indicated for patients who have an open fracture of the big toe or in case of crushing of the phalanx. During surgery, the doctor restores the physiological location of the finger. For fixation of fragments, knitting needles, plates, screws are used.

symptoms, treatment, prevention at home

The Internet is full of jokes about the insidious legs of the sofa and bedside tables, which dream of meeting the little toe. Many remember the pain that happens after their sharp contact. But few then rush to the doctor. A broken toe is often seen as comical. As a result, a person looks at whether the finger is moving or not, it hurts – it doesn’t hurt, and lives on calmly. Even if the finger swells the next day, many rely on “it will pass by itself.” In some cases, this is what happens. But sometimes the severity of the situation can exceed the insignificance of external symptoms, especially since not only the little finger can be broken on the leg.

– The big toe or little toe is most commonly affected by toe fractures, says traumatologist Erwin Kuzmin . “People hit furniture – these are common cases when, for example, a young mother ran after a child and got injured. Either the person was in a hurry to the TV, the children frolicked next to the pieces of furniture. In these cases, the little fingers are more often injured. In my practice, there was a treatment with a broken toe as a result of a Rottweiler jumping on the mistress – the dog made a maneuver out of the best of feelings, as a result, the woman had a fracture of her little finger. Big toes are injured mainly when playing football, participating in outdoor sports, accidentally or intentionally kicking a hard surface. You can also get a broken toe if a heavy angular object falls from above. As an example, I can cite a schoolboy whose briefcase with textbooks fell on his leg. Severe injuries, for example, resulting from an accident, are not taken into account, since there we are talking, most often, about a combined injury and saving the patient’s life, and not a broken toe.

Symptoms of a broken toe

Three main symptoms:

• pain;
• edema;
• deformation.

Pain. The first and foremost symptom of a broken toe is pain. The pain syndrome also occurs with bruises and dislocations, therefore, first of all, it is worth paying attention to its intensity. Constant throbbing pain in the finger, especially at night, is a sure reason to go to the emergency room.

Edema. When a toe is broken, swelling appears along with pain, in other words, swelling. As a result of injury, the integrity of body tissues, vascular permeability and water-salt balance are violated, as a result, an excess of fluid accumulates in the intercellular space, which we observe visually. Small blood vessels are also damaged, and a hematoma joins the edema, i.e. bruise. When you try to move your finger, swelling and hematoma can increase, as well as spread to neighboring tissues.

Deformation . A clear sign of a broken toe is its curvature. Most often, in such a situation, it is impossible to move them, and an attempt to touch causes a sharp pain. However, it should be borne in mind that with significant edema, the deformation may not be visible to the eye, so it is better to consult a doctor to make a diagnosis.

Treatment of a fractured toe

Fractures are different – open and closed, with and without displacement of fragments, oblique, transverse, comminuted, and so on. Treatment of a fracture depends on its type. If this is a simple fracture without displacement, then a universal remedy is the imposition of a splint for short-term immobilization of the limb. After two weeks, it will be possible to step on the leg, after three – to remove the splint.

Doctors used to recommend tight bandaging for several weeks, especially for injuries to the middle and ring fingers. It was necessary to apply a tourniquet, connecting the injured finger with the neighboring uninjured one, and tightly tie them. Bandage every 3-4 days. But, the main rule in the treatment of a broken toe is that patients should not lean on the injured leg.

– Most patients consider a broken toe a trifle and neglect the orthopedic regimen, comments Erwin Kuzmin. – As a result, the consolidation of bone fragments is delayed, the fracture becomes ununited. Treatment is delayed. Therefore, it is much more practical to temporarily walk with a splint and enjoy life. After all, other types of toe fractures require more serious intervention – surgery.

Diagnosis

The main method for diagnosing a broken toe is radiography. It will allow you to immediately differentiate the diagnosis: bruise or fracture, as well as determine the type of fracture.

The main thing in the healing process is to observe the orthopedic regimen. Photo: Pixabay

Modern methods of treatment

Modern medicine has especially advanced in the treatment of complex fractures. First of all, this concerns the treatment of comminuted fractures of the toes, where fixation of bone fragments is necessary using special structures: knitting needles or plates.

Today, there are many variants of plates for periosteal osteosynthesis, which can be used to fix any bone. Plates vary in size, shape, functionality. If we are talking about a fracture of the toe, then it is installed for 3-4 weeks and guarantees 100% fixation. Subsequently, it can be both removed and, if indicated, left. However, there is always the risk of a suppurative process.

Kirschner wires mainly fix small bones and joints. Fixation can be carried out both externally, when the end of the pin rises above the surface, and internally, when the entire structure is under the skin. Immobilization lasts, as a rule, for 4 to 6 weeks after the operation. The operation is minimally invasive, less traumatic than the installation of plates. Subsequently, you can remove the spokes at any emergency room.

Prevention of a broken toe at home

Broken toes are usually the result of hitting something hard and immovable, or from dropping a heavy, angular object on the foot. Less often – from bending the fingers inward. Therefore, pay attention when buying furniture to its protruding parts. Do not arrange furniture so that it is in your path or aisle. It is advisable to walk around the house in slippers that can soften the blow. Be careful when lifting heavy objects. Also pay attention to the selection of shoes: wearing shoes that are narrow or smaller than necessary in size is fraught with injuries on the street, especially on ice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why would you go to the doctor if you have a broken toe when it heals on its own?

Indeed, the bone can heal itself if it is a simple fracture.