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Anything you can do for a broken toe?????

18 years ago

Think DH just broke his big toe or a bone in his foot right at the big toe. Knuckle head decided to play street hockey with the boys in his sandals. He's in a lot of pain and not sure if there is any real reason to go to the Dr's. Is there really anything that can be done for a broken toe? It looks kinda ugly.

Any advice would be great.

Dani

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Comments (9)

scottymam
18 years ago
When I broke my actual toe, all they could do was tape it to the next toe, but for me that was more uncomfortable than the broken toe! If its down into the actual foot they may put him in a boot. I'd call the doctors office and ask how to tell the difference.
mary_c_gw
18 years ago
Yes, there is a reason to go to the doc.

I had two toes broken (little, and next up) at once. The break displaced them diagonally. They needed to be pulled back into position. After that, taping the toes was the solution, but if they hadn't been set properly, I'd still be limping.
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jenni_ca
18 years ago
Several years ago I dropped the leaf to my dining room table on my foot,
right at the joint where the big toe joins the foot.
It hurt like crazy and I limped around for almost three weeks before I went to the Dr. I just thought ok its bruised, it will be fine. Not so. It was broken at the joint up into the toe and back onto my foot. I had a cast for 6 weeks, then a boot for a few more. End result was I had to have surgery to repair the damage that was done from not having it treated in the beginning.
He needs to see the doc!!
sue36
18 years ago
Go to the doctor. DH broke his big toe after kicking the couch (didn't realize it had a wood frame, dummy). He didn't do anything for it (I warned him!) and it is now about twice as wide as it was before. And it doesn't bend correctly. Possibly the displaced fracture someone above mentioned.

Reminds me that on an episode of House a doctor is Antarctica almost died because a displaced fracture on her big toe was leaking marrow and causing clots all over he body.
stephmc72
18 years ago
Let me add that my mothers foot/toe still have not been the same since and that was years ago!!!!

Tell him to go to the doctor!
azzalea
18 years ago
Well, how does he feel about it?

I whacked my foot terribly about 20 years ago. Was pretty sure I'd broken the toe, but knew the dr. would just tape it to the next one. AND, of course, it happened on our ortho's day off. So I figured a roll of adhesive tape and a bottle of aspirin were a lot cheaper and easier than a specialist visit. Took care of it myself. It did take a good 6 weeks before I was pain-free. And yes, that toe is slightly crooked--but not enough to be a problem. And yes--a few years ago, I was having X-rays for a different, unrelated problem and there was the evidence, I HAD broken my toe.

I'm perfectly happy with the choice I made--and if I broke a toe in future would take care of it myself (unless it was sticking out at a right angle, or something--LOL).
jenni_ca
18 years ago
A broken toe usually doesn't require much more than taping but if it's the big toe it's a whole different story!
Mine will never be right and it still hurts and swells up.
If I would have got it taken care of when it happened I probably wouldn't have the problems I do now.
The surgeon told me that a big toe break always requires treatment.
danihoney
Original Author
18 years ago
Oh brother,

Jenni will you call him and tell him. I don't want to. It wont even be long distance. Well maybe a local toll call. He doesn't have a mommy, and he's too stubborn to listen to me. LOL!

He doesn't want to worry about it, but he is. He's a firefighter and can't afford to miss any work. I'm away this weekend and he goes back on shift for 48 hours on Monday. We live in this little country town where the Dr's only work half days and no weekends.

It is definitely the joint at the base of his big toe. He is swollen in his foot between those first two toes.
I told him what you said Jenni, he's stressing a bit now.
:o(

This kinda stinks a little - UGH UGH UGH

Thanks everyone for all your help :o) You guys are awesome!
williamsburgjane
18 years ago
I walked into the corner of a wall years back. It started swelling immediately. Kids insisted I go to ER that night. Good thing I did, it was a bone broken back in my foot and I wore a fracture boot for about 6 weeks. Tell him to go have it x-rayed and checked out.

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