How long does it take for a crushed big toe to heal?
When we fracture (or break) a toe, the length of time to heal will depend on how severely you injured your toe and the toe that broke. A broken lesser toe can take between four to six weeks to heal. When the big toe is injured, it can take between six to eight weeks to heal.
What happens when you crush your big toe?
Crushed or Smashed Toe. This is usually from something heavy falling on the toe. Sometimes, the nail can be damaged. Fractures are unusual, but are at risk for a bone infection (osteomyelitis).
What do you do when you have a crushed toe?
Do
- take ibuprofen and paracetamol for the pain and swelling.
- rest your foot and keep it raised.
- hold an ice pack (or bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a towel on your toe for up to 20 minutes every few hours.
- wear wide, comfortable shoes with a low heel.
- avoid walking around as much as possible.
Should I go to the doctor for a smashed toe?
When to Call a Doctor 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.
Does bruised toe mean its broken?
Stubbing your toe can be so painful that you might believe that it’s broken when it’s not. A stubbed toe might show signs of swelling or bruising, but there’s no further injury under the surface. A broken toe is much more severe, and often presents itself with more obvious and harsher symptoms.
How do you treat a big toe injury?
Many causes of pain in the big toe are treatable. For simple injuries, a person may only need to rest, apply ice, and use pain relievers as necessary. More serious injuries or medical conditions may require surgery or other medical interventions.
Can I move my toe if it’s broken?
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.
How do I know if my big toe is broken or just bruised?
How to Tell if a Toe is Broken: Symptoms & Identification
- Severe bruising.
- Intense & throbbing pain.
- Swelling.
- Deformity.
- Difficulty walking.
- Toenail discoloration.
- Crooked & misshapen appearance of the toe.
How do I know if my toe injury is serious?
See a doctor if:
- the toe is very swollen.
- the pain is severe and does not go away after several hours.
- it is difficult to walk or to put weight on the foot.
- the toenail falls off or the area around it is very swollen.
- there are signs of infection around the toenail, such as itching, redness, and pus.
When to take care of a big toe injury?
“The logical reaction to most big toe injuries is to think that it’s just a mild sprain and to simply rest and let it recover,” says Dr. Cornelison. “That’s fine, if the injury really is mild. But if the symptoms continue for more than two or three days,it may be more serious and needs to be evaluated.”.
Can a big toe injury be a deep cut?
Big Toe Injuries Can Be More Problematic Than You Think. If the toe was injured by something sharp, such as a lawnmower or weeding tool, the damage could include deep cuts or worse. “The logical reaction to most big toe injuries is to think that it’s just a mild sprain and to simply rest and let it recover,” says Dr. Cornelison.
What happens if a broken toe does not heal?
A broken toe that doesn’t heal properly could lead to osteoarthritis, a painful condition that causes chronic pain in one or more joints. Your doctor will examine your toe and ask for your medical history. Tell your doctor as many details as you can about the injury and your symptoms.
What happens if you drop something on your big toe?
More commonplace big toe injuries, such as stubbing your toe or dropping something on the toe, also vary in severity and may involve broken bones, a ligament sprain and a crushed or torn-off toenail. If the toe was injured by something sharp, such as a lawnmower or weeding tool, the damage could include deep cuts or worse.