The critical difference between a broken and sprained toe is in the mobility of the toe. A broken toe will have little to no movement. On the other hand, a sprained toe will still have some mobility, although it may be painful. If you’re unable to move your toe, it may be broken.
How can I tell if my big toe is broken?
Symptoms include:
- Bruising
- Swelling around the area that has been affected by the fracture
- Severe pain when trying to move the affected toe, especially if you’ve broken your big toe
- Deformity of the toe or toenail – your toe may look crooked or out of place
- Difficulty with walking
What are the signs of a sprained toe?
Signs and symptoms of a sprained toe. Patients with a sprained toe often experience a sudden onset of toe pain during the causative activity. However, patients may also experience pain and stiffness after the provocative activity with rest (particularly at night or upon waking the following morning).
How to tell if your foot is broken?
- Bleeding under the toenail
- An open cut on the foot or a bone that is poking through the skin
- Swelling that is serious enough to make your shoes fit improperly
- Pain around a joint that you suspect may be fractured
- Bruises, swelling or pain that lasts more than a few days
- Tenderness around the bone, not in the softer tissue area
Do you think my big toe is fractured or broken?
One way to know whether your toe is broken is if you can put weight on the foot. If you can walk on it without pain or limping, it probably is not broken. If so, try icing the injury and taking an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication, Dr. King says. However, if severe pain or swelling persists, see a doctor.
How do I know if my toe is broken or just sprained?
Usually a break will hurt right where the bone has fractured. With a sprain, the pain may be felt in a more general area around the toe. The only way to tell for sure if the injury is a break or a sprain is to see your doctor. They can examine your toe and determine the type of injury.
Can you wiggle your toe if it's broken?
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.
Can I walk with a sprained toe?
If you have a sprained toe: If you have a sprained toe, what you've injured is actually the ligaments around the toe. While painful, your toe will still remain functional. This means you can still walk and put your body weight on it.
Can you tell if you broke your toe?
After the injury, pain, swelling, or stiffness can 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.
What does a sprained toe look like?
A sprained toe shouldn't look dislocated. It will still swell, but will likely have less bruising. A sprained toe may be painful for several days, but should then begin to improve. One other key difference between a break and a sprain is the location of the pain.
Is it worth going to hospital with a broken toe?
A broken toe can be painful, but you do not usually need to go to hospital.
Should you go to the doctor for a sprained toe?
More severe strains and sprains may require surgery to repair damaged or torn ligaments, tendons, or muscles. If you experience any of the following, see a doctor about your sprain or strain: difficulty walking or standing without pain. inability to move or flex the affected joint.
How long do toe sprains take to heal?
Sprains generally take from 3–6 weeks to heal. A toe sprain may be treated by taping the injured toe to the next toe. This is called buddy taping. This protects the injured toe and holds it in position.
How do you fix a sprained toe?
How a Sprained Toe is TreatedRest as much as possible.Apply cold compresses for 15-20 minutes, several times a day.Elevate your foot.Take an over the counter anti-inflammatory.Only wear shoes with a stiff sole or padding to protect the toe.
What happens if you leave a broken toe untreated?
A fractured toe that's left untreated can lead to infection You're at increased risk of developing a bone infection if you have diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or a compromised or weakened immune system. Symptoms that suggest your toe has developed a bone infection include: Fatigue.
Will a broken toe heal on its own?
Most broken toes will heal on their own with proper care at home. It can take 4 to 6 weeks for complete healing. Most pain and swelling will go away within a few days to a week.
Should I tape my broken toe at night?
Protect the skin by putting something soft, such as felt or foam, between your toes before you tape them together. Never tape the toes together skin-to-skin. Your broken toe may need to be buddy-taped for 2 to 4 weeks to heal. Rest and protect your toe.
Can you walk with a broken toe?
You can return to normal activity once the swelling has gone down, and you can wear a stable and protective shoe. There may be some soreness and stiffness when you walk. This will go away once the muscles in your toe begin to stretch and strengthen. Ice your toe after activity if there is any pain.
What happens if you leave a broken toe untreated?
A fractured toe that's left untreated can lead to infection You're at increased risk of developing a bone infection if you have diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or a compromised or weakened immune system. Symptoms that suggest your toe has developed a bone infection include: Fatigue.
Should I go to the doctor for a broken toe?
If you think you broke your toe, it's best to have your doctor look at it. Even though you can often treat it yourself, a broken toe can sometimes lead to more serious problems, like infection, arthritis, or long-term foot pain.
How to tell if a toe is sprained or broken?
How to Tell The Difference Between a Fractured and a Sprained Toe? The critical difference between a broken and sprained toe is in the mobility of the toe. A broken toe will have little to no movement while a sprained toe will still have some mobility, although it may be painful.
What happens if you break your toe?
With a broken toe a person will experience the same discomforts as with a sprained toe: Tenderness . Throbbing . Bruising. Swelling. If your toe is broken, you’ll also notice the following : Significant swelling in the toe. Stiffness. Decreased mobility.
Why do my toes turn purple?
Toe changes color to bluish-purple. It’s important to note that just as with sprained toes, a fracture can occur in the absence of trauma. Stress fractures could occur as a result of a repetitive movement, regularly carrying heavy loads, a vitamin D deficiency, poor nutrition, or osteoporosis.
Why do my toes break?
That said, not all broken toes are the result of trauma. Sometimes, repetitive motion and stress to your toes may cause what’s called a stress fracture, also known as a hairline fracture.
What does it mean when your toe is numb?
Numbness. Pain that hasn’t gone away after a couple of days. Inability to move your toe, or a limited range of motion. It hurts to put weight on your hurt foot or pain when walking. A cracking sound at the time of injury. Toe changes color to bluish-purple.
How to reduce swelling in feet?
Elevate: Keep your foot elevated to reduce swelling.
Can you know if you sprained your toe?
Chances are, you don’t think much about them until you stub one on a coffee table or drop a heavy item on it. It’s a painful reminder; one that makes you wonder how it’s possible for such a minor injury to cause such agony. Because the pain from a toe injury can be so intense, sometimes it’s hard to know whether you sprained your toe ...
How long does it take for a sprained toe to heal?
This doesn’t mean, however, that you should ignore it if the pain persists. When a person has a sprained toe, the discomfort should subside within a couple of days with the help of simple home remedies, such as applying ice and resting it.
How do you know if you have a broken toe?
You can’t move your toe. Swelling.
Why does my toe feel numb?
For example, if you are a gymnast, long-distance runner, or have to repeatedly carry heavy loads at work, your toe may develop a stress fracture.
Why is it important to seek medical care for a fractured knee?
Regardless of how you got the fracture, it’s essential to seek medical treatment to avoid deformities of the joint or to curb the risk of developing post-traumatic arthritis.
Can you move a toe if it is sprained?
The main indication that an injured toe is sprained is that while it may be tender and painful, you can still move it. This doesn’t mean , however, that you should ignore it if ...
Can you hear a broken toe?
One of the most cringe-worthy moments of experiencing a fracture is that the person can sometimes actually hear the bone cracking when it breaks. If you heard that , it doesn’ t matter how much you hope it was just your imagination. You likely have a broken toe.
Is it painful to sprain your toe?
Stubbing a toe is ridiculously painful. It doesn’t seem like the level of pain you feel when it happens is commensurate with the size of the body part. However, how the trauma affects you will vary significantly depending on whether you simply sprained your toe or fractured it.
What is the difference between a sprained toe and a broken toe?
A sprained toe is different from a broken toe, which is an injury to a bone, not a ligament. With the exception of your big toe, each toe has three joints: The metatarsophalangeal joint is where your toe meets your foot. The proximal interphalangeal joint is in the middle of your toe. The distal phalangeal joint is closest to the tip of your toe.
What does it mean when you have a sprained toe?
If you have a sprained toe, it means one of the ligaments in your toe is torn or stretched. A sprained toe is different from a broken toe, which is an injury to a bone, not a ligament. With the exception of your big toe, each toe ...
What causes a toe to sprain?
Toe sprains are caused by injuries resulting from trauma or hyperextension of your toe. Traumatic causes usually involve hitting your toe on something, such as a piece of furniture. Hyperextension refers to extending the joints in your toe beyond their natural range of motion.
How to diagnose a sprained toe?
How’s a sprained toe diagnosed? To diagnose a sprained toe, your doctor will start by asking about any movements that make the pain in your toe worse. Be sure to tell them what you think might have caused it. This can help your doctor pinpoint the site and extent of your sprain.
How to avoid misaligned toe?
To avoid future complications, such as a misaligned joint, make sure to give your injured toe plenty of rest and follow your doctor’s treatment recommendations. Last medically reviewed on June 25, 2018.
How long does it take for a toe to heal?
A sprained toe usually takes about three to six weeks to fully heal. The more severe your sprain is, the longer you’ll need to allow for recovery. Try to keep your toe taped for about four weeks, though your doctor can give you more specific guidelines. As you recover, it’s important to avoid sports or strenuous activity.
How to tell if you have a toe sprain?
tenderness. swelling. bruising. trouble moving your toe. joint instability. You might also feel a pop or tear when the sprain happens, especially if it’s severe.
Why is it important to know if you broke your toe?
It’s Important to Know in Case You Need Further Treatment. Knowing the difference between a stubbed and broken toe is crucial to preventing further injury , and while the pain may make it seem like you broke your toe, it’s important to assess your pain accurately (and often) to determine if you’ll need an x-ray and further treatment. ...
Why do you secure your toe to another toe?
Securing your toe to another toe to prevent further strain
What does it mean when your toe is stubbed?
A stubbed toe is simply a toe that’s been badly slammed, and may show signs of swelling or bruising, but there is no serious injury under the surface. However, a broken toe is a more severe injury with harsher symptoms and greater consequences: prolonged pain, stiffness, infection, and deformity. Just after the injury, there is no way to avoid ...
What to do if your toe is bent?
If your toe is slightly crooked or stuck in a bent position, either upwards or downwards, it’s in your best interest to get an x-ray. If all signs point to a broken toe, it’s time to get off of it and get some help. We suggest elevating your toe and icing it until you can see your podiatrist for further examination.
How long does it hurt to stubbed a bone?
If it only hurts for a couple of hours, then it’s probably just stubbed. If it hurts the rest of the day and longer, you may have a fracture. Look for Dark Bruising and Discoloration.
Can you get a fracture from a stub toe?
When you stub your toe, it’s normal to expect some bruising and even some blood under the toenail. But, if the discoloration lasts for a few days, if it spreads, or if it seems like there is too much blood under the nail, you might have a broken toe.
What causes a sprained toe?
A sprained toe often results from injuries and accidents that bend the toe too far or stretch it beyond its natural range. These accidents may include:
How to help a sprained toe?
Compression. Taping the sprained toe to an adjacent healthy toe can be helpful. Use medical tape to “buddy wrap” the toes together , making sure that the wrap is firm but not too tight. Taping the toes can provide the injured toe with extra support and stability.
What is a grade 2 sprain?
A mild sprain involves stretching of the ligament and possibly some microscopic tears. Symptoms usually include some tenderness and mild swelling. Grade 2: Moderate sprain. The ligament has a partial tear. The swelling and tenderness may be more noticeable and painful than in a grade 1 sprain.
How many joints does a sprained toe have?
A sprain can affect any of the toe joints. The four smaller toes each have three joints, while the big toe has two. The symptoms of a sprained toe typically include: The extent of the pain, swelling, and other symptoms will depend on the severity of the sprain.
What is the ligament that connects the bones in the toes?
Bands of tissues called ligaments surround each toe joint. Ligaments connect the bones in the toes and allow these digits to move. As with other joints in the body, twisting, overstretching, or injuring these ligaments can cause injury. Damaging or tearing the ligament is known as a sprain.
What is the MTP joint?
The MTP joint connects the big toe to the rest of the foot. Turf toe usually happens when a person bends their toes too far upward, such as when pushing off to run or climb. In combination with the pressure of pushing off, this hyperextension of the MTP joint can cause a sprain.
What is it called when you tear a ligament?
Damaging or tearing the ligament is known as a sprain. Broken toes and sprained toes often have similar causes and symptoms. However, a broken toe does not involve overstretching or damaging ligaments. Instead, a toe bone becomes cracked or fractured.
How to know if your toe is broken?
1. Assess your pain level. If your toe is fractured, it's going to hurt when you put your weight on it, or when pressed on. You will probably still be able to walk, but moving around might make the pain worse.
How to fix a broken toe?
Don't do the activity that caused the injury in the first place and avoid other activities that place pressure on your toe. Light walking, swimming, or biking may be fine, but avoid running or playing contact sports for several weeks.
What does it mean when your toe is red?
Your toe may look red, yellow, blue, or black. In addition, it may bleed. All these are indications that the toe may be broken. If you can see that the toe bone has broken through the skin, it's definitely broken, and you should see the doctor immediately. 5.
What color is a broken toe?
Compare your potentially broken toe to your healthy toes to see if it is swollen in size, misshapen, and/or an irregular color, such as red, yellow, blue, or black. If the pain, swelling, and discoloration persist for more than a couple of days, see your doctor to verify the break with an x-ray and get treatment.
How to stop swelling in toe?
Continue resting the toe for the amount of time prescribed by your doctor. When you're at home, keep your foot elevated to help with swelling. After several weeks of healing, gradually begin using your toe again, but don't overdo it. If you feel pain or stress, take a step back and rest your foot. 4.
How to treat a toe injury?
1. Care for your toe until your doctor's appointment. Fill a plastic food storage bag with ice cubes, wrap it in a dishcloth, and place it on the injured toe. Do this in 20-minute increments until you can get to the doctor. The ice will help reduce swelling and stabilize the toe.
Why is my toe blue?
Seek emergency services if the toe is cold or tingling, or it turns blue due to lack of oxygen.
