FAQ: Can You Do Anything For a Broken Toe?

Talking to people out in the community, I often hear "I broke my toe a while back, but there's nothing you can do for it, so I didn't get it checked out." The same people go on to tell me how the toe has never felt right, or rubs on their other toes now. So what can you do if you break your toe?

It is important to have xrays performed by your podiatrist in a weight bearing position if possible. This can allow us to see if the toe is broken or displaced (shifted out of place). Other nearby bones may be fractured and require further intervention. If a toe is fractured, it will require a minimum of 6 weeks to heal. We often recommend buddy taping the toe to the next toe over and wearing a fracture shoe. It is imoportant to avoid aggrevating the area by wearing heals or exercising while the toe is healing.

If the toe is broken and displaced reduction of the fracture may be required followed by splinting. If the fracture is not stable after reduction, surgical pinning of the toe may be required.

Even though a broken toe may not seem like a big deal at the time, it may lead to significant pain in the future if left untreated.

Chris Suykerbuyk, DPM, FACFAS