How do I know if my toe injury is serious?

How do I know if my toe injury is serious?

See a doctor if:

  1. the toe is very swollen.
  2. the pain is severe and does not go away after several hours.
  3. it is difficult to walk or to put weight on the foot.
  4. the toenail falls off or the area around it is very swollen.
  5. there are signs of infection around the toenail, such as itching, redness, and pus.

How do you fix your toe if it hurts badly?

How to ease toe pain yourself

  1. rest and raise your foot when you can.
  2. put an ice pack (or bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a towel on your toe for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours.
  3. wear wide comfortable shoes with a low heel and soft sole.
  4. take paracetamol.

How do I know if my toe is broken or just bruised?

How do I know if my toe is broken or just bruised? A bruise on the bone can feel similar to a break, Dr. King says. “The most obvious sign that it’s a fracture is if the painful toe is pointing in a different direction than your other toes.

How long does it take for a injured toe to heal?

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.

When should you see a doctor for an injured toe?

If you have injured your toe and have experienced swelling that has not decreased within five days, noticed a change in the color of your toe, or continued to feel pain days after the initial injury, it may be time to seek professional care.

Can you wiggle your toe if it’s broken?

Symptoms of a Broken Toe If you have a broken toe: A broken toe is a fractured bone. This type of injury results in either a very limited range of motion or even the inability to move the toe at all. In addition, the toe will swell and bruise.

What happens if you leave a broken toe untreated?

Broken toes that don’t heal properly increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis or permanent nerve damage down the line. The right treatment with a foot and toe expert helps ensure your broken toe heals the right way so you can resume your normal activities without worrying about complications.

What does a fractured toe look like?

Broken Toe Symptoms Bruising of the skin around the toe may also be noticeable. The toe may not look normal, and it may even look bent or deformed if the broken bone is out of place. It may be difficult to walk because of the pain, especially if the big toe is fractured. Shoes may be painful to wear or feel too tight.

Can you break your toe and still walk?

A mild fracture, for example, should heal faster than a more severe break. With a walking cast, you should be able to walk and resume most non-strenuous activities within a week or two after injuring your toe. The pain should diminish gradually if the bone is healing properly.

Why Do broken toes hurt more at night?

During the night, there is a drop in the stress hormone cortisol which has an anti-inflammatory response. There is less inflammation, less healing, so the damage to bone due to the above conditions accelerates in the night, with pain as the side-effect.

Should I go to ER broken toe?

A broken toe can be painful, but you do not usually need to go to hospital. There are things you can do to treat it at home.

When should a fracture stop hurting?

Your Recovery Your doctor fixed a broken (fractured) bone without surgery. You can expect the pain from the bone to get much better almost right after the procedure. But you may have some pain for 2 to 3 weeks and mild pain for up to 6 weeks after surgery.

What will the hospital do for a broken toe?

If the broken fragments of your bone don’t fit snugly together, your doctor may need to manipulate the pieces back into their proper positions (reduction). Doctors can usually do this without cutting open your skin. Ice or an injected anesthetic is used to numb your toe.

Why does my fracture still hurt?

Chronic pain after the healing is complete Some people may continue to experience pain long after the fracture and soft tissues have finished healing. This is what we call chronic pain. Chronic pain may be caused by nerve damage, the development of scar tissue, aggravation of underlying arthritis, or other causes.

Can you wiggle a broken toe?

Can you move a broken toe? “If you can still move it then it’s not broken.” – False. This is another harmful old wives’ tale. Although it may be possible to move and walk on your broken toe, you should avoid doing so as this can lead to even greater damage and prolonged healing time.

What are symptoms of toe pain?

A burning feeling in the region of the toes

  • Difficulty in moving the toes
  • Numbness,discoloration of skin,and swelling in the toe region
  • What are common toe injuries?

    Cuts,Scrapes and Bruises. These are the most common injuries.

  • Jammed Toe. The end of a straightened toe receives a blow.
  • Crushed or Smashed Toe. This is usually from something heavy falling on the toe.
  • Toenail Injury.
  • Subungual Hematoma (Blood Clot under the Nail).
  • Dislocations.
  • Fractures.
  • What are the symptoms of a broken toe?

    Pain

  • Swelling
  • Bruising that can last up to 2 weeks
  • Stiffness
  • How to diagnose and treat a big toe injury?

    take ibuprofen and paracetamol for the pain and swelling

  • rest your foot and keep it raised
  • hold an ice pack (or bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a towel on your toe for up to 20 minutes every few hours
  • wear wide,comfortable shoes with a low heel
  • avoid walking around as much as possible