Overview
A broken toe is a common injury that's most frequently caused by dropping something on your foot or stubbing your toe.
Usually, you can treat a broken toe by taping it to a neighboring toe. But if the fracture is severe — particularly if it involves your big toe — you may need a cast or even surgery to ensure proper healing.
Most broken toes heal well, usually within four to six weeks. Sometimes, a broken toe may become infected or increase the risk of osteoarthritis in that toe in the future.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of a broken toe include:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Discoloration
When to see a doctor
Consult a doctor if the pain, swelling and discoloration continue for more than a few days or if the injury interferes with walking or wearing shoes.
Causes
A broken toe typically happens when you drop something heavy on your foot or you stub your toe against something hard.
Complications
Complications may include:
- Infection. If the skin is cut near your injured toe, you are at higher risk of developing an infection in the bone.
- Osteoarthritis. This wear-and-tear type of arthritis is more likely to occur when the fracture extends into one of the toe joints.
Dec. 14, 2017
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- Gravlee JR, et al. Toe fractures in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Aug. 22, 2017.
- Azar FM, et al. Fractures and dislocations of the foot. In: Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 13th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2017. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Aug. 22, 2017.