Signs Of A Broken Toe

A broken toe is a common injury making it important to know the signs of a broken toe. It is surprisingly easy to break a toe. Not every stubbed toe results in a break but many do. Missing a step and kicking the curb can result in a broken toe. Do not believe the old wives tale that if you can walk on it, it’s not broken. Whether or not you hear a crack after injuring a toe and feel intense pain, here is what to look for after a trauma to the toe.

1. Pain. Aside from the obvious pain after stubbing a toe, there may be pain in a single location that could indicate a break. After the pain of stubbing a toe subsides, check for pain generated from a single spot. If the pain goes away but comes back the moment you walk on your toe it may be broken.  A good indicator of a broken toe is no pain when resting and pain returning when standing or walking.
2. Appearance. After injuring a toe, look at the toe carefully. If the toe looks suddenly crooked or malformed it may be broken. Notice if the pain is located at the crooked area.
3. Swelling. Swelling may not appear until the next day after injuring a toe. A broken toe will not necessarily swell immediately. In the case of swelling the best treatment is to ice the area for 20 minutes, wait an hour, and ice again. The more you ice the swelling the quicker swelling will disappear and it will relieve some of the pain.
4. Bruising. The next day after the injury, look for signs of bruising. If the toe is broken, the next day it will likely be swollen, looked bruised, and become painful when you stand or walk on that foot. If you experience these symptoms it may be time to visit a doctor for treatment.