Think You’ve Broken Your Toe? Here’s What to Do Next
What Is a Fractured Toe?
A fractured toe means there’s a break or crack in one of the small bones in your toe. Some fractures are simple (the bone stays in place), and others are more complex (the bone shifts or breaks in multiple spots). Either way, it needs attention to heal properly.
Broken Toe Common Causes
Most toe fractures happen when you:
Stub your toe on something hard (like a coffee table—ouch!)
Drop something heavy on your foot (like weights or tools)
Injure your toe playing sports or during high-impact activities
Wear tight or ill-fitting shoes that put pressure on the toes
Overuse your foot, especially in activities like running or hiking
Signs You Might Have a Broken Toe
It can be hard to tell the difference between a stubbed toe and a broken one. Here are some signs to look for:
Swelling or bruising around the toe
Difficulty walking or putting weight on the foot
Pain that doesn’t improve after a day or two
A toe that looks crooked or out of place
Tenderness to the touch
If you notice these symptoms, it’s a good idea to get it checked. We can take an X-ray right here in the office to confirm what's going on.
Treatment: What Happens Next?
The good news is most toe fractures don’t need surgery. Here’s how we typically treat them:
Buddy taping: We gently tape your injured toe to its neighbor for support.
Rest, Ice, Elevation: Classic but effective: rest your foot, apply ice for swelling, and elevate it when you can.
Protective footwear: We may recommend a stiff-soled shoe or boot to keep your toe safe while it heals.
Pain relief: Over-the-counter medications usually help, but we can guide you if something stronger is needed.
Surgery: In more serious cases, like if the bone is out of place, we might recommend a small procedure to set it correctly. But that’s pretty rare.
How Long Does It Take to Heal?
Most fractured toes heal in about 4 to 6 weeks, but it depends on the severity. We’ll guide you through every step and make sure your toe heals the right way, so you don’t end up with long-term pain or stiffness.
When to See a Podiatrist
If your pain doesn’t get better after a couple of days or if your toe looks bent, bruised, or swollen, contact Tri County Foot & Ankle Center. Getting early treatment helps prevent complications and gets you moving comfortably again, faster. A fractured toe might sound small, but it can have a big impact on your daily life. Our Foot and Ankle Doctors are here to help you heal quickly, safely, and comfortably.
Have questions? Want us to take a look at your toe? Reach out today, contact Tri County Foot & Ankle Center always happy to help.
Our Podiatry offices are conveniently located in Bayonne, East Brunswick, Jersey City, Kearny, and Randolph, NJ. There our highly trained Podiatrists can help determine the best treatment plan to help you find relief from a broken toe or other foot and ankle issues. Call us or request an appointment online today.