The small toe on the outer edge of your foot can become injured due to tripping, falling, stubbing it on something, or dropping something on it.When you walk on a broken toe, it may look swollen and bruised.Most broken toes heal on their own within six weeks and do not require immediate medical attention beyond an exam to make sure it has not been seriously fractured.You should head to the emergency room if you can see bone poking out of the skin of your finger or if your toe is pointing in the wrong direction.
Step 1: If you have to, remove your shoes and socks.
It's important to treat your broken toe within the first 24 hours to make sure it doesn't get swollen.Take off shoes and socks from your toes.Don't let bones break through your skin when you examine your toe after it's exposed.You should look closely to make sure that your toe is pointing in the right direction despite the break, and that you don't feel numb to the touch.It is safe to treat the toe at home.
Step 2: You should raise the leg above your waist.
Sit on a surface that is stable.You can put your foot on a chair or a stack of pillows.You can reduce the swelling on your toe by raising the leg.Raising the leg will help reduce the pain of the broken toe.Even after the first 24 hours, try to keep your foot elevated.Rest and elevation will help your toe heal.If you have a broken toe, use a light blanket over your feet to keep the pressure off.
Step 3: Take 10 to 20 minutes to ice the toe.
You should ice your toe for the first 24 hours after an injury.Wrap an ice pack in a towel and apply it to the toe for 20 minutes.You can wrap a bag of frozen peas or corn in a towel and use it as an ice pack.Leave the ice pack on for 20 minutes at a time and never apply ice directly to your skin as this can lead to further injury.
Step 4: Take a pain medication.
Ibuprofen, tylenol, and naproxen can be taken for pain relief.Follow the instructions on the label.Children under the age of 18 should not be given aspirin.If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or any bleeding disorders, do not take pain medication.
Step 5: Put the toe on the neighbor's house.
If you ice the toe after 24 hours, the swelling will go down.You can tape your broken toe to the other.Put a cotton ball between your toes.Wrap the toe with medical tape.Don't cut off blood circulation to your toes by covering them with tape.It needs to be tight to support the broken toe.To keep the area clean and stable, you should change the cotton ball once a day.
Step 6: Don't wear shoes that are open-toed.
Wait until the swelling goes down and the toe heals.When the swelling is gone, you should wear shoes with a comfortable sole to protect your toe.
Step 7: Once your toe heals, begin walking again.
It may be a good idea to start walking around on your broken toe if you can wear shoes that are comfortable.You don't want to put too much stress on your healing toe if you only walk for a short time.When your toe starts to stretch out and get stronger, it will no longer feel sore or stiff.You should check the toe after walking around.Ice it for 20 minutes every hour and elevate it if it becomes swollen or irritated.Most broken toes will heal in four to eight weeks.
Step 8: If the break is very painful, see your doctor.
If your toe is numb for a long period of time, you should see a doctor right away.If the bone appears to be broken at an angle and there is an open wound on your toe, you should see a doctor.If your toe doesn't heal in one to two weeks, you should seek medical care.
Step 9: Take your doctor's exam in your toe.
An X-ray of your broken toe is likely to be requested by your doctor.She may numb your toe with a local anaesthetic and realign the bone through the skin.If you have a broken toe, your doctor can drain the blood by making a small hole in your nail or removing the nail.
Step 10: If the break is severe, talk about surgery on the toe.
You may need surgery on the toe if the break is more severe.Special pins or screws will be inserted into the broken bone to keep it in place while it heals.You might need to support the toe in a cast.You may be given crutches to allow you to walk with no weight on the toe.
Step 11: If necessary, get antibiotics.
There is a serious risk of infections if bone is pierced through the skin.You will need to clean the wound regularly and antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent infections.Your doctor may give you a tetanus shot if your vaccinations aren't up to date.