Everyone experiences the agony of stubbing their toe at some point. In most cases, the pain from catching your foot on a table leg or tripping over a tree root is short-lived. However, persistent or unbearable pain could signify that you’ve broken your toe.
Symptoms of a Broken Toe
Many of the symptoms of a fractured toe could also be applied to a sprained toe. Both involve the immediate onset of pain that continues for several days. Even a podiatrist may be unsure of the exact nature of the injury without performing an imaging test.
Common signs of a broken toe include:
- Inability to bend the toe
- Tingling or numbness
- Inability to walk or put any weight on the affected foot
- Swelling
- Throbbing pain
- Bruising on the skin and under the toenail
- Inability to touch the toe without pain
- A crooked appearance or marked difference from the same toe on the opposite foot
Fortunately, the immediate treatment for both conditions is to stay off the injured toe and elevate the affected foot. If you are still unable to run, walk, or stand the next day—or if the pain seems to be getting worse instead of better—you should see a podiatrist for the most effective care
