Broken toe (fractured toe) Matiwae tāwhatiwhati
A broken toe (fractured toe) means one of the bones in your toe has a crack or a break. Most broken toes heal with simple care at home, but a severe break may need medical help.
Causes of a broken toe
Your toes are made up of 3 bones called phalanges, apart from your big toe, which has 2 bones (phalanges).
Common ways to break (fracture) a toe bone include:
- stubbing your toe
- dropping something on your toe
- hurting your toe while playing a sport.
Symptoms of a broken toe
Signs you may have a broken toe include:
- pain
- swelling
- bruising
- trouble walking.
Diagnosing a broken toe
If you think you might have a broken toe, your healthcare provider can do tests.
They will talk to you about your symptoms and do a physical exam. If the toe is broken at an angle, they may refer you for an x-ray.
Self care for a broken toe
Most broken toes are treated by strapping them to a neighbouring toe, with some gauze in between. This is called neighbour or buddy strapping.
Your toe will usually feel better after a week or so, but it can take around 4 to 6 weeks for it to heal completely. While your toe is healing, avoid any activities that might re-injure it.
Raise your foot on pillows, ideally so it is higher than your heart, for the first few days to help reduce pain and swelling.
It will also help if you hold an ice pack (or frozen peas) wrapped in a tea towel against the toe. Do this:
- during the first 2 days
- for 15 to 20 minutes
- every few hours.
Take regular pain relief, such as paracetamol. Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes that have lots of room for your toe but are firm enough to protect it.
Treating a broken toe
If your toe is broken at an angle, your healthcare provider may need to move the bone back into place. You will probably need a local anaesthetic injection to numb your toe while they pull the bone into the right position. You may need an x-ray.
You may get a lot of bruising under your toenail. If it is putting pressure on your toenail, your healthcare provider may make a small hole in your nail to remove some of the blood that is causing the bruising and release the pressure.
If the break is very bad or involves the joint between 2 bones, you may need surgery to move the bones into a better position.
You probably will not need a follow-up appointment for a minor break. But you should see your healthcare provider again if the pain gets worse or if your toe becomes:
- hot
- red
- swollen
- discoloured.