Toe and Forefoot Fractures - OrthoInfo - AAOS (2023)

FAQs

What is the difference between a broken toe and a fractured toe? ›

Is there a difference between a fractured toe and a broken toe? Actually, there's no difference whatsoever! A fracture and a break are the exact same thing, even though one may sound different or even more severe than the other. For the sake of simplicity, let's refer to a fractured toe as that: a fractured toe.

The Femur is often put at the top of the most painful bones to break. Your Femur is the longest and strongest bone in your body, running from your hip to your knee. Given its importance, it's not surprising that breaking this bone is an incredibly painful experience, especially with the constant weight being put on it.

The fracture may take 6 weeks to several months to heal. It is important to give your foot time to heal completely so that you don't hurt it again. Do not return to your usual activities until your doctor says you can.

Out of the five toes (also known as digits of the feet) the pinky toe is the most commonly broken toe with the fracture often occurring at the base of the toe. Your toes make up a portion of your foot referred to as the forefoot.

Usually, treating a broken toe involves taping it to the next toe. But if the fracture is severe — especially if it's in the big toe — proper healing might require a cast or even surgery to heal well.

If you have a severe injury, you should seek medical help. Injuries that involve the big toe may need a cast or splint to heal. In rare cases, tiny pieces of bone can break off and keep the bone from healing properly. In this case, you may need surgery.

Most fractures heal in 6-8 weeks, but this varies tremendously from bone to bone and in each person based on many of the factors discussed above. Hand and wrist fractures often heal in 4-6 weeks whereas a tibia fracture may take 20 weeks or more.

The metatarsal bones are some of the most commonly broken (fractured) bones in the foot. There are five metatarsal bones in each foot. They are the long slim bones which run the length of the foot to the base of the toes.

This is a common fracture. You will be given a removable boot to wear to support your foot; this should be used for two to six weeks to enable you to walk more comfortably whilst the injury heals. You only need to wear this when standing or walking, you can remove it at rest, at night and when bathing or showering.

Can you wear a walking boot with a Jones fracture? ›

A Jones fracture occurs in the zone between the shaft and the tip of the bone. This fracture is different from other fractures in the little toe. For example, ankle sprains cause avulsion fracture of the 5th Metatarsal. Therefore, we treat these fractures with a walking boot.

Farber, who specializes in foot and ankle surgery, said, “for a true Jones fracture, it is recommended that patients be placed in a short leg cast or controlled ankle motion (CAM) boot, and remain non-weight bearing for approximately six weeks.

Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE): The RICE method is useful for many types of injuries, including broken toes. It can decrease pain and help the toe heal faster. This may be all a person needs to treat a minor toe fracture.

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. If something was dropped on the toe, the area under the toenail can bruise.

A severe fracture will limit motion due to swelling and pain, but a non-displaced single fracture of most bones of the foot and ankle will allow full motion of the extremity, and this is certainly the case in stress fractures.

Your broken toe may need to be buddy-taped for 2 to 4 weeks to heal. Rest and protect your toe. Do not walk on it until you can do so without too much pain.

Your toe is likely to be tender and swollen, even after a few weeks. You'll likely need to avoid running, playing sports, or walking long distances for one to two months after your injury. Recovery time can be longer if the break is in one of the metatarsals.

It probably is no surprise that your big toe is the most important when maintaining balance and bearing body weight. Your big toes bear just about 2 times the amount of weight as all your other toes combined! It still should not shock you that the pinky toes are the least important.

How do you wear shoes with a broken toe? ›

Because the pressure could cause you pain, or even delay your healing. Now, some people can get away with wearing regular shoes. But, if this is the case for your injury, you should choose a low heeled or tennis shoe. Something that's stable and comfortable to help your healing.

This is called a malunited fracture. A nonunion, delayed union, or malunited fracture may occur in any bone, but these conditions are most common in the humerus, or upper arm, and the tibia, or lower leg.

Broken bones happen all the time, and sometimes people even suffer fractures. The terms “fracture” and “broken” are both scary when it comes to bones. While one isn't necessarily worse than the other, they can both be painful, dangerous, and a cause to worry.

Limit Your Intake of Salt, Caffeine, Sweetened Beverages and Soda. Sodium, sugary drinks and colas can rob your bones of calcium, slowing bone mending. Caffeine also contains compounds that bind with calcium and prevent its absorption.

Your body needs plenty of protein to build new collagen for bone healing. Eat lots of protein-rich foods like lean meats, low-fat dairy products, beans, nuts, and fortified cereals. Leafy green vegetables like collard greens, spinach, broccoli, and kale are high in calcium, another important part of bone repair.

Some people assume that fractured bones are more serious than broken bones, while others assume it's the other way around. But the truth is that these terms are used interchangeably, and they have the same meaning to medical professionals.

The least severe break is a hairline fracture.

Also called a stress fracture, a hairline fracture is a small crack that doesn't go through the bone. Stress fractures are common in athletes and others who engage in repetitive jumping and running.

Should I sleep in the boot for metatarsal fracture? ›

Walker boot: Do not sleep in the boot. It is important to place as much weight as possible through the boot when walking to help the healing process. The boot should be worn when walking but can be taken off when you are: resting.

The majority of acute, nondisplaced fractures of the fifth metatarsal heal with conservative treatment by 6 to 8 weeks.

You are allowed to walk on your foot as long as it is not too painful. If you were given a boot, wear it while you are walking. You do not need to wear it when resting or sleeping.

It is ok to take the boot off at night, when resting at home and to wash. Regularly perform the exercises below to get your movement back.

Depending on the symptoms, it's generally suggested that a patient with a toe fracture wears a rigid soled shoe or moon boot for approximately 3 weeks before transitioning into roomy, supportive and enclosed footwear, such as runners. Most patients return to activities of normal living after 6 weeks.

Adding a sock to the equation is a good idea for a few reasons: It will help reduce any friction between the brace and your skin, which can help prevent any chafing or blisters. Socks for walker boots can act as a buffer between your foot (and its sweat and dead skin cells) and the brace.

Most people need three to four months to recover from a Jones fracture. Complications like nonunion or refracture will extend your healing time. It'll also take your body longer to heal if you need bone grafting to repair your Jones fracture.

The Jones fracture is recognised as the most serious of all the fractures which can affect the fifth metatarsal. Whether a doctor recommends a non-surgical treatment such as immobilisation, or a surgical procedure to treat a Jones fracture, can come down to a range of factors.

While a Jones fracture is often slow to heal, in some cases, it may not heal at all. There is also a risk of reinjury. As such, a doctor may suggest repeat X-rays to monitor recovery and ensure appropriate healing. If the fracture does not appear to be healing, then a doctor may recommend surgery.

Loosening the muscles and ligaments surrounding the site of the fracture can make a huge difference for the client. Increasing mobility– As a result of loosened ligaments and muscles, massaging the surrounding area of a fracture may be able to support with bringing back some much-needed mobility to the limb.

Does Epsom salt help broken toe? ›

You may have also heard various myths about broken toes. You know, myths like there's nothing a doctor can do to help your toe, if you can move it then it's not broken, and toe injuries should be soaked in hot water with Epsom salts right away. These are all harmful and untrue!

These can include using rowing and elliptical machines, in addition to swimming and bicycling. If the fracture is minor, buddy taping may be an effective method in providing the stability that is necessary as the healing process occurs.

If you return too soon you may worsen your injury. You may safely return to your normal activity when you can walk straight ahead without pain or limping.

A typical toe fracture will take about 6 weeks to heal. However, residual swelling and dysfunction can persist for even longer. It is not uncommon to still have residual symptoms following a significant toe injury even 3-4 months after the injury.

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. Fever.

How long does a fractured 5th metatarsal take to heal? A 5th metatarsal fracture often heals in six to eight weeks, whether treated by immobilization or through surgery. Weight-bearing activities are significantly reduced for six weeks following surgery.

You should remain immobilized in a walking boot/post-op shoe until 4 weeks from the initial injury. You are allowed to fully weight bear as tolerated in the walking boot/post-op shoe.

A metatarsal fracture may take from 6 weeks to several months to heal. It is important to give your foot time to heal completely, so that you do not hurt it again.

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.

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.

What does a fractured toe feel like? ›

your toe is pointing out at an odd angle. the bone is sticking out of your toe. there was a snap, grinding or popping noise at the time of injury. you feel tingling in your toe or foot or it feels numb.

You might be able to wiggle a broken toe or even walk on it, but movement can actually make it worse.”

A severe fracture will limit motion due to swelling and pain, but a non-displaced single fracture of most bones of the foot and ankle will allow full motion of the extremity, and this is certainly the case in stress fractures.

Symptoms of a stress fracture in the toe include: pain that occurs after activities such as walking or running. pain that goes away with rest. soreness or tenderness when touched.

It can take 4 to 6 weeks for complete healing. Most pain and swelling will go away within a few days to a week. If something was dropped on the toe, the area under the toenail can bruise.

If you've ever injured your toe before, then you know the agonizing pain, swelling and immobility that can come along with the injury. But all too often, individuals don't realize their toe may in fact be broken. When broken toes go undiagnosed, mistaken for a sprain, further injury can occur.

To help facilitate the healing process for broken toes, a medical professional like a podiatrist might recommend that the patient wears what is called a stiff-soled shoe.

If you've broken your toe, the skin near the injury may looked bruised or temporarily change color. You'll also have difficulty putting any weight on your toe. Walking, or even just standing, can be painful. A bad break can also dislocate the toe, which can cause it to rest at an unnatural angle.

You'll have much less pain after four weeks and should be walking normally again after eight weeks, Dr. King says. At 12 weeks, your broken toe should be fully healed.

Should you ignore a broken toe? ›

Importance of Seeing a Doctor

However, ignoring a broken toe can lead to a chronic, painful condition called osteoarthritis, which causes pain in the joints. In addition to future problems from the broken toe itself, you may have sustained nerve damage, especially if you have tingling or numbness in your toe.