How can you tell if a toe is Broken?

[aigel]

Man, I'd be at the doc pronto and gladly pay the bill. Don't know about you, but I like my feet. They carry me places ... you'll need a really nice car to make up for a permanent limp.

Take care!

G

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by aigel

Man, I'd be at the doc pronto and gladly pay the bill. Don't know about you, but I like my feet. They carry me places ... you'll need a really nice car to make up for a permanent limp.

Take care!

G

I have to agree you you.

[GeorgeK]

As long as there is no infection, Tobra is spot on. Even if the 4th toe is broken, the treatment is taping it, which you can do yourself.

I'd worry about the big toe. A badly healed big toe will hurt *forever*.

Your call. But I wouldn't worry about the 4th if it stays stable/gets better.

[Tobra]

Yeah, an intra-articular injury on the big toe will definitely make you limp.

Originally Posted by KC911

Question for ya doc....would this have helped several months after I broke mine? By the time my toe had healed (probably 8 weeks), the toenail was still clear...then later the black/blue portion slowly began to appear at the base of the toenail, then proceeded to "grow forward" (if that makes sense) until it was approx. half of the nail. It certainly wasn't comfortable and had me a bit hobbled for 2-3 more months after the break had healed. I debated using the technique you describe with a hot needle but never did. Even though the nail is still half blue, I no longer feel any pressure/pain, so I'm just asking for when I break my next one

ps: I almost posted to ask you about this a few months ago....how far does the toenail extend behind the part you see? I was pretty surprised when the nail behaved in that fashion.

The root of the nail is perhap 5 mm or so under the skin, behind the nail you can see. In your case, the blood stained the nail from underneath. As the blood dries out, it shrinks, so there is less pressure and pain. The nail grows out, and takes the blood with it. The making a hole in the nail trick only works well when you first get the injury.

[Aragorn]

After a night of ice and elevation, the little toe is still purple (lets just call him Barney) and is currently taped to one of his siblings.

The big toe has a nice sized bruise extending from the top of the toe up the side. That foot is sore but most of the shooting pain has subsided and I can walk on it with just a little pain coming from the top of the foot. I am thinking if can't walk normally on it by the weekend I will pony up and get an x-ray to see if there is a fracture.

[recycled sixtie]

Sometimes you have to put out the $$$ and go see the doc. Two reasons. First you get the problem fixed and secondly you relieve the apprehension of having done the right action....

If you are not sure and do nothing then you can suffer physically and mentally.
G.

[BRPORSCHE]

This post remind me of this! Don't end up like me!

[john70t]

Observation:
Q:Tennis/skate/running shoes available with a lightweight effective protective metal toe shield?
A: No shoe manufacturer sells them currently.

It's ankle high work boots which require 1/2 hr installation.
Or nothing.

[Rodsrsr]

I want to know the answer to this too. I think I may have broken my toe as well. The second toe, training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Its been swollen for over a month now. Its just not getting better. Its slightly purple and doesnt bend like it used to. I'm kind of used to it now but it still hurts if I force bend it.

[Aragorn]

Just an update on the toe situation. I went to the doctor and had an x-ray and found out that I have a fracture on my big toe. The x-ray shows a little piece of the first bone just hanging out and doing its own thing. After a few weeks of wearing "das boot" it has refused to rejoin the bone. I am currently waiting a few more months to see if it wants to re-attach itself. If it doesn't re-attach then surgery will be needed to remove the bone fragment to prevent arthritis. Fun, fun, fun.

[Tobra]

That is not that bad, quick, easy surgery.

If you wrap it with 1" coban/medi-rip, it will increase the chance of it fusing back together. Truth be told, 2 months out you have two chances of this happening, slim and none.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by john70t

Observation:
....It's ankle high work boots which require 1/2 hr installation.
Or nothing.

I've been clearing ice storm damage from last weeks ice storm that came through. Yesterday (and today) was mid-70s...tee shirt and shorts with heavy work boots. That was a first for me sweating my butt off, running chainsaws in 70 degree weather with ice still on the ground (yesterday)...live and learn.

ps: My big toenail is still blue from my break 7 months ago....no pain, but the blue was still a reminder not to be stooooopid (again)

[Arizona_928]

Now post a picture for the wall of shame!

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by KC911

I've been clearing ice storm damage from last weeks ice storm that came through. Yesterday (and today) was mid-70s...tee shirt and shorts with heavy work boots. That was a first for me sweating my butt off, running chainsaws in 70 degree weather with ice still on the ground (yesterday)...live and learn.

ps: My big toenail is still blue from my break 7 months ago....no pain, but the blue was still a reminder not to be stooooopid (again)

Screw the stylish or cool look. Go for safety!
Welcome to the other side of the hill. You are no longer young and invulnerable. Wise and safe now.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by AZ_porschekid

Now post a picture for the wall of shame!

Hanging my head in shame (...but I can't compete with Mike or Tom):

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Screw the stylish or cool look. Go for safety!
Welcome to the other side of the hill. You are no longer young and invulnerable. Wise and safe now.

"Wise and safe" you say? ....methinks "less stooopider" is more appropriate in my case