What do you do if you break your fourth toe?
Symptom Relief
- Rest. Stop doing any physical activity that causes pain, and keep your foot immobile whenever possible.
- For the first 24 hours, ice your toe for 20 minutes every hour you are awake, then 2 to 3 times a day.
- Keep your foot raised to help keep swelling down.
- Take pain medicine if necessary.
How do I know if I broke my 4th toe?
How to Tell if a Toe is Broken: Symptoms & Identification
- Severe bruising.
- Intense & throbbing pain.
- Swelling.
- Deformity.
- Difficulty walking.
- Toenail discoloration.
- Crooked & misshapen appearance of the toe.
How long does a broken 4th toe take to heal?
Broken toes usually heal within 4 to 6 weeks, but it can sometimes take several months.
How do you tape a broken 4th toe?
How to buddy tape a broken toe
- Put a small piece of cotton or gauze between the toes that are taped together.
- Using as little tape as necessary, loosely tape the broken toe to the toe next to it.
- If the toes are taped too tightly it can cause additional swelling and may cut off circulation to the injured toe.
Can a doctor do anything for a broken toe?
If the broken fragments of your bone don’t fit snugly together, your doctor may need to manipulate the pieces back into their proper positions (reduction). Doctors can usually do this without cutting open your skin. Ice or an injected anesthetic is used to numb your toe.
What can happen to an untreated broken toe?
A fractured toe that’s left untreated can lead to infection You’re at increased risk of developing a bone infection if you have diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or a compromised or weakened immune system. Symptoms that suggest your toe has developed a bone infection include: Fatigue.
