When you stub your toe or drop a weight on it at the gym, it’s hard to say what comes first — the pain or the swearing! And, if the toe bone is broken, it’s hard to believe how much a small bone can hurt. You’ve probably heard that there’s nothing you can do about a broken toe.Treatment for a Minor Break
First, your podiatrist will check for tenderness and broken skin around your affected toe. Your nerves and blood flow will also be tested. If your podiatrist thinks the toe is broken, you’ll get an X-ray to confirm the diagnosis. The broken toe will heal better if it’s kept from bending too much. To accomplish this, your podiatrist will use the buddy tape system. This involves taping the broken toe to the toe next to it (it’s “buddy”). You may also be given a stiff-bottomed shoe that also helps keep your toe from bending and allows room for swelling.
Treatment for a More Severe Break
If the toe bone is broken all the way through and a section(s) of the bone has moved, it will need to be realigned. After a numbing injection, your podiatrist will manipulate the bone sections to knit them back together. You may get a cast to keep the bone pieces in place. If you have an open wound, you may need antibiotics and a tetanus shot. If there is blood trapped under your toenail, your podiatrist will attempt to drain it. If this doesn’t work, the nail may need to be completely removed. For a catastrophic break, surgery may be necessary to insert pins or screws to hold the bones in place.
