How do u know if u broke big toe?

Underground
1

I twisted my big toe training today. Its swelled up, bruised and hurts soon as I walk. Im contimplating going to the hospital for an xray.but dont want to unless its a good chance its broke.

2









Broken Toe Symptoms



  • After the injury, pain, swelling, or stiffness will occur. 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.


  • A doctor may take an x-ray film to see if a toe is broken, but x-ray films are not always necessary if the fracture is in one of the smaller toes.


  • Some other problems may develop in addition to, or as a result of, the fracture. These complications can occur right away after the injury (minutes to days), or can happen much later (weeks to years).



    • Immediate complications



      • Nail injury: A collection of blood may develop underneath the toenail called a subungual hematoma. If it is large, it may have to be drained. To drain a subungual hematoma a doctor will make a small hole in the toenail to drain the blood out. If the hematoma is very large or painful, the entire toenail may need to be removed.


      • Open fracture: Rarely, the broken bone in a toe fracture may stick out through the skin. This is called an open or compound fracture. Careful cleansing of the wound and possibly antibiotic medication will be needed to prevent the bone from becoming infected. Sometimes surgery may even be necessary.


    • Delayed complications



      • After the toe fracture heals, the person may still be left with arthritis, pain, stiffness, or even a deformity.


      • Sometimes, the fractured bone will not heal completely (called a nonunion), or will heal improperly (called a malunion). Rarely, surgery may be necessary to fix this problem.
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/articles/4695-3.asp

3

How can I break my toe, and what are the symptoms?

You may break one of your toes by stubbing it or dropping something on it. A hairline crack (stress fracture) may occur after a sudden increase in activity, such as increased running or walking.

Symptoms of a broken toe may include:

  • A snap or pop at the time of the injury.
  • Pain, swelling, and bruising.
  • Possible deformity (not just swelling), such as a toe pointing in the wrong direction. A dislocated toe can also look deformed.

How is a broken toe diagnosed?

A broken toe is diagnosed through a physical examination. Your health professional will look for swelling, purple or black and blue spots, and tenderness. An X-ray may be needed to determine whether the toe is broken or dislocated.

How is it treated?

Home care after breaking a toe includes applying ice, elevating the foot, and rest. Medical treatment for a broken toe depends on which toe is broken, where in the toe the break is, and the severity of the break. In many cases, your doctor may recommend that a broken toe be "buddy-taped" to the uninjured toe next to it with padding in between the toes. The injured toe may need to be buddy-taped for 2 to 4 weeks to heal.

Rarely, other treatment may be needed, including:

  • Protecting the toe from additional injury. This may include using splints to stabilize the toe, a short leg cast, or a brace.
  • Surgery, if the break is severe.

Medical treatment is needed more often for a broken big toe than for the other toes. An untreated fracture may cause long-term pain, limited movement, and deformity.


http://my.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/tp21132.asp

4

Call me crazy but I think swelling, bruising and pain while walking are good reasons to go to the hospital.

5

Treatment of a broken toe

Broken toes are tough to treat but if we stick to some fracture care principles we know we're going to help.  First, it is a good idea to get an X-ray.  The key to healing is to insure that the  fracture is aligned and shows good apposition.  Without good alignment and good apposition the fracture will not only take longer to heal but may heal incorrectly and be crooked.  

Second, rest is imperative.  Rest can be many things from bed rest to a walking cast.  Rest will allow the body to begin the process of healing.

Buddy splinting of the toes works for some and not for others.  Toes are difficult to wrap therefore they're tough to splint.  Self adherent wrap such as Coban works well for buddy splinting of the toes.

Ice, elevation and an anti-inflammatory medication helps ease the pain.  Fractured toes may take up to 10 weeks to heal.

http://www.myfootshop.com/detail.asp?Condition=Broken%20Toe

6

Shit man, you gotta love the UG, i cant imagine a better response than that.

matt

7

It hurts like shit,i broke mine and didnt take care of it,big mistake cause i spend like 2 years with pain wile training,so you bether take the xray before is to late and tape it well before star training again........

8

When can I return to my sport or activity?

Ideally you may return to your sport or activity when your toe has fully healed and your provider has taken an x-ray that shows the healing. However many people return when the pain has improved and they can tolerate activity. You should talk this over with your provider.

You may safely return to your sport or activity when, starting from the top of the list and progressing to the end, each of the following is true:

  • You can jog straight ahead without pain or limping.
  • You can spring straight ahead without pain or limping.
  • You can do 45-degree cuts, first at half-speed, then at full-speed.
  • You can do 20-yard figures-of-eight, first at half-speed, then at full-speed.
  • You can do 90-degree cuts, first at half-speed, then at full-speed.
  • You can do 10-yard figures-of-eight first at half-speed, then at full-speed.
  • You can jump on both feet without pain and you can jump on the injured foot without pain.
  • http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/sma/sma_brkntoes_sma.htm
9

 

10

Thanks guys, i guess im going 4 the xray

11

TTT for MOMITA...nice pics....great info

12

Momita......pwn3d.

I broke my big toe walking down Ocean Beach. IT hurt.