Broken toe

Overview

A broken toe is a common injury that's most often caused by dropping something on a foot or stubbing a toe.

Usually, treating a broken toe involves taping it to the next toe. But if the fracture is serious — especially if it's in the big toe — proper healing might require a cast or even surgery to heal well.

Most broken toes heal well, usually within 4 to 6 weeks, but it may take longer. A broken toe may be achy and swollen for 3 to 6 months. Sometimes a broken toe can get infected. Also, the break might increase the risk of getting osteoarthritis in that toe in the future. Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis caused by wear and tear that can lead to pain and limited movement.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of a broken toe include:

• Pain.
• Swelling.
• Change in skin color from bruising or bleeding under the skin.

When to see a doctor

Contact a healthcare professional if the pain, swelling and change in skin color last for more than a few days or if the injury affects walking or wearing shoes.

Causes

Dropping something heavy on a foot and stubbing a toe against something hard are the most common causes of a broken toe.

Complications

Complications may include:

• Infection. If the skin is cut near the injured toe, the risk of getting an infection in the bone increases.
• Osteoarthritis. This wear-and-tear type of arthritis is more likely to occur when the fracture affects one of the toe joints.
• Changes in appearance. The toe may heal out of place, leading to a crooked position or lasting changes in how the toe looks or functions.