I think I broke my toe - should I go to the Dr?

[7costanza]

I stubbed the toe next to my pinky toe really hard this morning and it's now swollen, bruised and throbbing. I can move it, but it hurts. Should I go to the walk in clinic? There isn't really much they can do, right?

[stephanie305]

I wouldn't go. I broke my pinkie toe years ago. I went to the doctor and they just told me to keep it taped for a couple of weeks. When I broke a middle toe a few years later, I didn't even bother to go to the doctor.

[MixedBerryJam]

I wouldn't bother, either. I dropped a pasta machine on my foot once, and broke a toe. I don't think they even x-rayed it, as they told me the really wouldn't do anything about it anyway. I think I taped it up myself. And I found the most comfort keeping it in a running shoe, which acted a bit like a splint, I think. At least after the first day or so, after the swelling reduced. Sorry it hurts, and I hope your foot feels better soon.

[7costanza]

Thanks, everyone. I'm not going to go, and will just keep icing it and resting. Maybe this will get me out of cleaning the house tomorrow.

[heyrebekah]

They can't put a tiny cast on it (how cute would that be?) but they tape it up to the toe next to it so it doesn't heal all cockeyed and pointing in the wrong direction. And a podiatrist will give you a boot or big shoe to keep it protected. I broke my toe two weeks and I have a boot on. The main problem is that people keep banging their toe and reinjuring it before it can heal, so it's good to keep it protected for a few weeks.

[Nonny]

I would ice it several times a day, and keep it elevated as much as possible to help bring down the swelling. Then I'd tape it the neighboring toe, and wear supportive shoes.

But like PP said, there isn't much they can do for a broken toe.

[Deleted]

Once the swelling isn't so bad, get some medical tape and gently tape it to the toe next to it, so as it heals, it does so straight. I also recommend stronger soled flip flops for walking around at home while it heals to give it some protection from below and from bashing into anything. Something like this:

www.zappos.com/nike-comfort-thong-magenta-white-magenta-white

[DarcyLongfellow]

The bone can heal funny, so it might not hurt to get it X rayed just to make sure the bone is straight when you tape it to the toe next to it. Only if your regular doctor can do it, though, I wouldn't go to the hospital or anything. I broke a toe in high school and it's healed a bit oddly. It doesn't affect me, it just doesn't "match" my other foot because my second to smallest toes on each foot point different directions!