Broken toes are common and can be very painful. They typically result from a traumatic event such as falling, stubbing the toe, or dropping something on the toe. One may feel a “pop” or “crack” when the bone breaks. Common symptoms include pain, throbbing, bruising, swelling, and redness.
If you suspect that you have a broken toe, you should make an appointment immediately. For most people, a combination of taping and protective footwear is sufficient.
X-rays help determine if broken bones need to be reset. The attached images demonstrate closed reduction in our office without surgery (the x-rays were taken 15 minutes apart).
If a deformity cannot be corrected easily, surgery may be needed. Broken bones that are not properly positioned, immobilized, and protected may advance into a painful nonunion.
If you sustained a toe injury, please call (847) 675-3400 right away to schedule an assessment.