Signs and Symptoms of a Broken Foot
Broken bones in the foot can be very painful. In addition to pain, other symptoms of a broken foot are:
- Bruising
- Redness
- Inability to bear weight on the affected foot
- Toes may be deformed or broken
A broken toe usually is caused by trauma or injury to the foot or toe, such as a heavy object dropped on the foot or toe, or stubbing the toe. Stress fractures of the toe are caused by repetitive movements, such as in certain sports.
Signs and symptoms of a broken toe include
If the little toe (pinky toe) is injured you usually will still be able to walk. Immediate complications of a broken toe include nail injury (subungual hematoma) or open (compound) fracture, in which the broken bone in a toe fracture protrudes through the skin. Delayed complications of a fractured toe that occur after the broken toe has healed include arthritis, pain, stiffness, or deformity. The fractured bone may not heal completely (nonunion), or heals improperly (malunion), requiring surgery to fix the toe.
Treatment for a broken toe depends on the location and severity of the toe fracture. The fracture may need to be put back into place (reduced) and splinted or casted. If there is an open wound near the injured toe, a tetanus shot and antibiotics may be necessary. If the toe fracture is a minor or small fracture in a bone of one of the small toes, the doctor may tape a broken toe to the toe next to it for support (buddy taping).
Once you have been diagnosed with a broken toe by a doctor, there are home remedies to care for the broken toe that can help decrease pain and swelling, including elevating the injured foot, icing the injured toe, and rest (avoid walking on the injured foot). Use crutches if needed.
The healing time for broken toes is usually about 6 weeks. If problems last longer than 6 weeks, another X-ray may be needed, or the injury should be rechecked by the doctor to see how the bone is healing. The prognosis for a broken toe is generally good. Simple fractures usually heal well with no problems. Bad fractures are at risk of developing arthritis, pain, stiffness, and deformity.
Broken toes usually result from trauma or injury to the foot or toe (toe bones are called phalanges). Injuries such as stubbing a toe or dropping a heavy object on a toe may cause a fracture. A broken toe may result from prolonged repetitive stress or movements, as in certain sports activities. This is called a stress fracture.
Unless you have a compound fracture or obvious deformity, you may not know for certain your toe is broken until a doctor orders an X-ray. Signs and symptoms your toe may be broken include:
Broken toe symptoms are similar to sprained toe symptoms. Sprained toes may be more mobile, and not deformed, and may not hurt as much as a broken toe.
Some other complications may develop as a result of the fracture. Complications can occur immediately after the injury (minutes to a few days), or can occur much later (weeks to years).
Depending on how the injury occurred, a broken foot (metatarsal fracture), a sprained ankle, a fractured ankle, or a dislocated toe may accompany a broken toe.
Symptoms of a broken little toe (pinky toe) are the same as with the rest of the other toes. However, while a broken pinky toe may be painful, usually it does not limit a person's ability to walk.
Treatment for a broken little toe (pinky toe) usually involves buddy taping. This means the injured toe is taped to the toe next to it for support. The non-injured toe acts like a splint.
A doctor will ask questions to determine how the toe was injured and will examine the injured toe and possibly check for other injuries.
It is best to seek medical evaluation soon after the injury to ensure proper treatment and healing.
A broken toe may or may not require prolonged medical care. Home remedies to care for a broken toe at home include elevation, ice, and rest (see home remedy section). If the fracture is severe it may require medical attention, a tetanus shot, pain medication, or surgery. Severe injuries of the toe should be assessed by a health care professional to determine if more than simple immobilization is necessary.
These self-care remedies can be taken at home to help decrease the pain and swelling, and help the fracture heal properly.
Depending on the location and severity of the toe fracture, the fracture may need to be put back into place (reduced) and splinted or casted. If there is an open wound near the injured toe, a tetanus shot and antibiotics also may be necessary.
In some cases, the doctor may prescribe a walking boot. This will allow you to bear weight on your injured foot, while protecting the toe so it can heal.
The injured toe should be examined every day. Call a doctor if any of the following occur:
Go to a hospital's emergency department if the following signs or symptoms are present:
You may initially see a primary care provider (PCP) such as a family practitioner or a child's pediatrician when you first injure your toe. You likely will be referred to an orthopedist or orthopedic surgeon for follow-up, who specializes in disorders of the musculoskeletal system, or a podiatrist, a specialist in conditions of the foot, for treatment of a toe fracture.
If you are diagnosed with a broken toe in a hospital's emergency department you will be treated by an emergency medicine specialist. Radiologists will read an X-ray or MRI, though they will usually report back to your primary care physician or emergency medicine specialist and you will not directly consult with them.
Broken bones in the foot can be very painful. In addition to pain, other symptoms of a broken foot are: