How To Treat A Broken Toe

The immediate effect will be quite excruciating pain, and on inspection, the digit will appear swollen and eventually may become bruised. Some immediate action is required, a cold compress is probably the most useful thing to do immediately followed by a painkiller which may have to be slightly stronger than Paracetamol. But your pharmacist or GP will advise you on that.

It is in most cases probably advisable to go to A&E to have the digit x-rayed. This will establish whether it is, in fact broken, or just merely bruised. Assuming that one of the bones in the toe has broken, there are two, of course, called the phalanges, the distal one at the end and the proximal one between that and the metatarsal.

If it is the distal phalanx that has been broken, this will heal up adequately, whatever you do to it and no particular procedure is required, although the continuation of painkillers for a few days is probably necessary. If the proximal phalanx is broken, it usually also will heal without any further involvement or procedure. Although it may, of course, be what is called displaced.

That is the two ends, the two broken ends are misaligned. They are not in opposition and they may have to be manipulated so that the bone is set. If there is any thought that there may be a delay in natural healing, it is sometimes necessary, and this would have to be done under x-ray visualization and an appropriately trained surgeon or A&E specialist, to insert through the skin of the toe a particular designed piece of wire that would hold the two bits of bone in place.

The pain will get a little less each day and within two or three weeks, possibly a little longer, the toe should be perfectly healed and one can return to normal activities. That is how to manage a broken toe. .