Overview
A toe fracture often occurs as result of direct trauma, for example something heavy falling on the toe, or from accidently hitting the front of your foot on a stationary object when running.
A broken toe can be very painful, but it is not usually serious and can often be treated at home. Most will heal in four to six weeks. More severe breaks may take longer to heal and may need treatment in hospital.
What to Do
Most broken toes can be treated at home. See below for advice about when it is recommended to get medical advice.
- If there has been a severe injury, such as a crush injury to the foot
- If you think your child has broken the big toe
- If the toe is severely deformed – for example, the toe is bent at an angle or there is a wound or broken skin near the injured toe.
- If your child is still having problems, such as pain not improving or difficulty walking, after more than two to three weeks.
Treating a Broken Toe at Home
Most broken toes can be treated at home. The following tips can be used to care for a broken toe:
- Put a piece of cotton wool or gauze between the injured toe and the one next to it, and tape them together with a plaster or surgical tape.
- Keep the foot raised whenever you can during the first few days – for example, by resting it on cushions. This will help reduce swelling and pain.
- Hold an ice pack (try frozen peas wrapped in a towel) to the toe for 15-20 minutes every few hours for the first couple of days. Don’t apply ice directly to the skin.
- Rest the toe by not walking or standing for too long at first, and not putting weight on the toe until the pain starts to improve.
- Wear sturdy shoes with a stiff sole that do not squash or bend the toe.
The majority of toe injuries can be managed with simple strapping. This strapping is can usually be removed at week 3 but the fracture will not be fully healed until week 6.