How do you fix a broken toe without going to the doctor?
Symptom Relief
- Rest. Stop doing any physical activity that causes pain, and keep your foot immobile whenever possible.
- For the first 24 hours, ice your toe for 20 minutes every hour you are awake, then 2 to 3 times a day.
- Keep your foot raised to help keep swelling down.
- Take pain medicine if necessary.
What happens if you don’t treat a toe fracture?
A fractured toe that’s left untreated can lead to infection You’re at increased risk of developing a bone infection if you have diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or a compromised or weakened immune system. Symptoms that suggest your toe has developed a bone infection include: Fatigue. Fever.
Should you go to the hospital if you break your little toe?
Seek immediate medical care if you suspect an open fracture of the toe; if there is bleeding; cold, numb, or tingling sensation; if the toe appears deformed or is pointing in the wrong direction; or blue or gray color to the injured area. A broken toe is diagnosed with a medical examination, which may include X-rays.
When should I see a doctor for a broken pinky toe?
You should, however, see a doctor for your broken toe if: The pain becomes worse and isn’t relieved by normal painkillers. The swelling and bruising don’t start to improve in a few days. There is an open wound associated with the break.
How do you splint a little toe?
The non-injured toe acts like a splint.
- Place a small piece of cotton or gauze in between the little toe and the toe next to it to prevent sores or blisters, and then loosely tape the toes together.
- The tape can be removed for bathing and put back on afterwards.
How do I know if my toe is broken or just bruised?
If it hurts the rest of the day and longer, you may have a fracture. 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.
What can they do for a broken pinky toe?
For a simple break, your doctor may splint your pinky to your fourth toe to keep it in place while it heals. If the break is serious, surgery may be necessary to reset the bone. Your doctor will likely recommend over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications, rest, and home care.
How do you tell if pinky toe is broken or just bruised?
The most common symptoms of a broken pinky toe include:
- a popping sound when the injury occurs.
- throbbing pain that’s immediate and may fade after a few hours.
- difficulty putting weight on your foot.
- pinky toe seeming out of alignment.
- swelling and bruising.
- burning.
- a damaged toenail.
How can I walk with a broken pinky toe?
Healing of a broken toe may take 6–8 weeks. A person may need to have their broken toe buddy taped to an adjacent one. Wearing a stiff-soled shoe can also help, as can using crutches to help keep weight off of the toe while it heals. Rarely, a person may need to wear a cast to keep the foot immobile.
How long do you buddy tape a broken pinky toe?
Protect the skin by putting something soft, such as felt or foam, between your toes before you tape them together. Never tape the toes together skin-to-skin. Your broken toe may need to be buddy-taped for 2 to 4 weeks to heal.
Can you wiggle your toe if it’s broken?
Can you move a broken toe? “If you can still move it then it’s not broken.” – False. This is another harmful old wives’ tale. Although it may be possible to move and walk on your broken toe, you should avoid doing so as this can lead to even greater damage and prolonged healing time.
How do you treat a broken little toe at home?
Avoid applying ice directly to the skin, rather grab a towel, wrap it around an ice pack and then apply. Apply it no more than 20 minutes at a time, couple times a day Compression – since bandaging little toe can be tricky, since it is so small, you can actually tape your little toe to its neighbor.
What happens if you break your little toe?
A neglected fracture of a little toe can lead to premature arthritis, chronic pain, and permanent deformity. Remedies for a broken little toe can include using the adjacent toe as a pinky toe splint. Taping the little toe to its inner neighbor will provide stability and protection during the healing period.
What are the signs and symptoms of a toe fracture?
Toe fractures can produce significant pain and swelling. Patients will often walk with a pronounced limp or they may not want to bear any weight on the foot. In addition to fractures, patients may also have symptoms from soft tissue injuries such as injuries to the ligaments and tendons surrounding the small joints of the toes.
When should I see a doctor for a broken toe?
You can manage a fractured toe very safely yourself as long as it isn’t your big toe, isn’t crooked or out of line and there is no skin wound over or near the fracture. You should, however, see a doctor for your broken toe if: The pain becomes worse and isn’t relieved by normal painkillers.