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First Aid & Emergencies

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Broken Toe Treatment

Symptoms of a broken toe include: pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty walking.

 

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1. Prevent Swelling and Further Injury

  • Stay off the foot as much as possible.
  • Avoid movement or pressure that causes pain.
  • Apply ice up to 20 minutes at a time. Wrap it in a towel; do not apply directly to skin.
  • Keep the foot elevated as often as possible, especially the first 2 days after injury, to help control pain and swelling.
  • For pain, take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).

 

2. Get Help

  • If you have severe pain, can’t walk, the toe looks bent or deformed, or the pain lasts for a long time, see a doctor.

 

3.  Follow Up

  • Stay off your foot and avoid activity that causes pain for 3-4 weeks.
  • Wear a solid shoe with a stiff sole to protect the injured toe and keep it stable. Avoid shoes that put pressure on the toe.

 

WebMD Medical Reference

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Reviewed by Maya Yiadom, MD on March 10, 2011
© 2011 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

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