Broken Toe
When to see your GP
Check the toe every day and call your GP if:
- the pain gets worse or isn't relieved by ordinary painkillers your GP may be able to prescribe a stronger painkiller
- the swelling or discolouration doesn't improve after a few days
- you have a wound or broken skin near the injured toe, which will need cleaning to prevent infection
- you have a condition that affects the nerves or blood circulation in your feet, such as diabetes or peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
- you're still having problems, such as pain not improving or difficulty walking, after more than two to threeweeks
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Find out about the symptoms of a broken toe, when you should get medical advice, and how to look after it at home.
Symptoms of a broken toe
A broken toe will usually be: extremely painful and tender swollen red or bruised difficult to walk on If the break is severe, the toe may stick out at an angleor the bone may poke through the
How to treat a broken toe at home
Most broken toes can be treated at home. See below for advice about when to see your GP and when to go to hospital . The following tips can be used to care for a broken toe: Put a piece of cotton
When to see your GP
Check the toe every day and call your GP if: the pain gets worse or isn't relieved by ordinary painkillers your GP may be able to prescribe a stronger painkiller the swelling or discolouration does
When to go to hospital
Go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department if: you have had a severe injury, such as your foot being crushed or a road traffic accident you think your big toe is broken your t
Treatment for abadly broken toe
If your toe is badly broken, youmay need: an X-ray of your foot to check if your toe is broken and how severe the break is a procedure to move anyout of placebones back into the right position a d
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