You stub your toe hard on a bed frame in the dark, or drop something heavy on your foot. The pain is sharp, the toe swells, and by the next day it may be bruised. Is it broken, or just badly bumped? And does it even matter, since "they can't do anything for a broken toe"?

It does matter. The Foot & Ankle Surgeons' patient site calls that idea a myth.3 Here's how broken toes happen, what they feel like, what helps at home, and when to get one checked.

When to get care right away: Get care promptly if the toe looks crooked or bent, there's an open wound or bleeding, you have sudden numbness or tingling, pain or swelling suddenly gets worse, you see red streaks on the toe or foot, or you have fever or chills.1,2 For urgent foot concerns, call us instead of using the web form: Butte & Anaconda (406) 782-2278, Bozeman, Ennis & Harlowton (406) 587-8478. For a bone poking through the skin or a severe injury, go to an emergency room.

How Do Toes Get Broken?

There are two main kinds of toe fractures.1,3

  • Traumatic (sudden) fractures come from a direct blow. Common examples are stubbing the toe hard, kicking something solid, or dropping something heavy on your foot.1,3 A review in American Family Physician notes that most toe fractures come from stubbing or crush injuries.4
  • Stress fractures are tiny hairline cracks from repeated strain. They often affect runners and athletes in high-impact sports, especially those who add mileage too quickly.1,3 A different foot shape, osteoporosis, and shoes that fit poorly can also raise the risk.1,3

Traumatic fractures can be nondisplaced, where the bone stays lined up, or displaced, where the pieces shift out of place.1,3 The smaller toes break far more often than the big toe. The same review found lesser-toe fractures about four times as common.4

How Can I Tell If My Toe Is Broken?

Cleveland Clinic says the most common signs are throbbing pain and swelling.1 Other signs can include:1,3

  • A snap or crack you hear when it happens
  • Pain right at the spot that was hit
  • Bruising and swelling, often showing up the next day
  • Trouble bending the toe, or pain when it's touched
  • Trouble walking or putting weight on the foot
  • Bruising or blood under the toenail
  • A toe that looks crooked or out of line

A stress fracture feels different. The pain tends to come on during or after activity, ease with rest, then return when you stand again. There is often swelling without bruising.1,3

One more myth to drop: "If you can walk on it, it's not broken." The Foot & Ankle Surgeons' site says that isn't true, and recommends having the injury evaluated.3 A bruised toe and a broken toe can look a lot alike. Only an exam, and usually an X-ray, can tell them apart.

How Is a Broken Toe Diagnosed?

A provider will ask how the injury happened. They'll look at the toe for swelling, bruising, tenderness, deformity and any open wounds.1

X-rays usually show a sudden break.1 Stress fractures may not show up on X-rays, so an MRI may be ordered if one is suspected.1

The Foot & Ankle Surgeons' site advises seeing a foot and ankle specialist even if an emergency room has already given you first care.3 Some injuries are easy to miss. Fractures and sprains also need different treatment.3

What Can I Do at Home?

Many broken toes heal with rest and home care.1 For the first few days, sources describe these steps:1,2

  • Rest. Stop the activity that hurts and limit weight on the foot.
  • Ice. Wrap ice in a thin towel or cloth, never directly on the skin. Use it for about 20 minutes at a time.
  • Elevation. Raise your foot to help with swelling. Cleveland Clinic suggests slightly above the level of your heart.
  • Pain relievers. Over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen, naproxen or acetaminophen may help. MedlinePlus advises checking with a provider first if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or liver disease, or a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding. Don't give aspirin to children.1,2
  • A roomier or stiffer shoe. Wider shoes may be more comfortable. A stiff-bottomed shoe can help if regular shoes hurt.1,2

Should I Tape My Broken Toe?

"Buddy taping" means taping the injured toe to the toe next to it, so the healthy toe acts like a splint. A small piece of cotton goes between the toes to keep moisture down, and it's changed daily.1,2

It's a common treatment for many small-toe fractures that haven't shifted out of place.4 But it isn't right for every break. The Foot & Ankle Surgeons' site notes that taping is sometimes appropriate and sometimes harmful.3 Cleveland Clinic suggests having the toe checked before you tape it yourself.1 A toe that's crooked or out of line should be looked at, not just taped.

How Do Podiatrists Treat a Broken Toe?

Treatment depends on which toe is broken, how badly, and whether a joint is involved. Options described by Cleveland Clinic, the Foot & Ankle Surgeons and American Family Physician include:1,3,4

  • Rest, which is sometimes all that's needed
  • Buddy taping or a splint to hold the toe in place
  • A stiff-soled shoe, post-op shoe or walking boot to protect the toe
  • Gently moving a shifted bone back into place after numbing the toe
  • Draining blood trapped under the toenail to ease pressure
  • Surgery, often with pins, for a badly displaced break or one that involves a joint

Surgery for a broken toe is uncommon.1 The big toe gets extra attention because it carries so much weight and helps with balance.4

How Long Does a Broken Toe Take to Heal?

Pain and swelling often start to ease within about a week.1,2 MedlinePlus says most broken toes take 4 to 6 weeks to fully heal, and more severe injuries may take 6 to 8 weeks.2 Cleveland Clinic gives 6 to 8 weeks for most breaks.1 Swelling can hang around for several months.1

MedlinePlus suggests a follow-up visit 1 to 2 weeks after the injury.2 Ease back into walking a little more each day. Return to normal activity once the swelling is down and you're in a stable, protective shoe.2 Your provider can tell you when sports are safe again.1

What Happens If a Broken Toe Isn't Treated?

Most toe fractures heal without lasting trouble.1,4 But a break that heals out of line, or one that goes into a joint, can lead to problems. These include ongoing pain, a crooked toe, trouble fitting shoes, arthritis, and in some cases a bone that doesn't heal.1,3,4 That's one more reason a toe that still hurts weeks later is worth having checked. Lingering pain near the joint can also point to other problems, like big toe arthritis or a stress fracture higher in the foot.

The Bottom Line

A broken toe usually causes throbbing pain, swelling and bruising, and it can be hard to tell from a bad bruise without an X-ray. Many heal with rest, ice, elevation and a sturdy shoe. Some need taping, a boot or more care. If the toe looks crooked, the skin is broken, or you notice numbness, spreading redness or fever, call right away.

If a toe injury is keeping you off your feet, our podiatrists can take a look. Request an appointment and our team will follow up within one business day. You can also find your nearest office on our locations page.

This article is for general education and isn't a substitute for medical advice. Talk with a podiatrist or your doctor about your own symptoms.

Sources

  1. Broken Toe (Fractured Toe): Causes, Symptoms & Treatment. Cleveland Clinic. my.clevelandclinic.org
  2. Broken toe - self-care. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, National Library of Medicine. medlineplus.gov
  3. Toe and Metatarsal Fractures (Broken Toes). FootHealthFacts, American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS). www.foothealthfacts.org
  4. Hatch RL, Hacking S. Evaluation and Management of Toe Fractures. American Family Physician, 2003. www.aafp.org