Broken Toe – Symptoms and Causes

Overview

A broken toe is a fairly common injury. It usually happens when something heavy falls on the foot or when a toe gets stubbed against a hard object.

Treatment often involves a simple method called “buddy taping.” In this, the injured toe is taped to an adjacent toe for support. More severe fractures, particularly in the big toe, might require a cast or surgical intervention for proper healing.

Most toe fractures heal completely within 4-6 weeks with appropriate care. However, there are potential complications to be aware of. These include:

• Infection of the broken toe
• Higher risk of developing osteoarthritis in the affected toe later in life

Signs and Symptoms

A broken toe typically causes several noticeable symptoms. You may feel pain in the affected toe, especially when walking or putting pressure on it. The toe often swells up after the injury.

The skin around your broken toe might change color, turning purple, blue, or black due to bruising or bleeding beneath the skin. This discoloration usually develops within hours after the injury occurs.

When to Get Medical Help

Visit a healthcare provider if your toe pain and swelling don’t improve after a few days. You should also seek medical attention if the injury makes it difficult to walk normally or wear shoes comfortably.

These persistent symptoms might indicate a more serious fracture that requires professional treatment.

Causes

A broken toe often happens when you drop a heavy object on your foot. It can also occur when you stub your toe against something hard. These are the most common ways people end up with fractured toes.

Possible Problems

Toe fractures can lead to some health issues if not treated properly. Here are the main problems that might occur:

Infection Risk

If there is a cut in the skin near the broken toe, germs can enter the body. This increases the chance of getting an infection in the bone. Proper wound care is important to prevent this problem.

Joint Damage and Arthritis

When a toe break affects a joint, it may lead to osteoarthritis later. This is a type of arthritis caused by normal wear and tear on joints. The damaged joint may become:

• Painful
• Stiff
• Less flexible over time

These problems don’t happen to everyone with a toe fracture. Your doctor can help determine your risk and suggest ways to prevent these complications.