You Can Really Do Something About Broken Toes
Common sense says there is nothing you can do about a broken toe. Well, the conventional wisdom is fucking stupid. As it turns out, there are remedies that you can and should use when you break your toe.
Yes, you should see a doctor when you break your toe.
If you suspect you’ve broken your toe by bruising it or dropping something on it, disregard what you’ve heard about them being unrepairable and see a doctor. Here are the signs that you may have broken your toe, according to the Cleveland Clinic :
- The toe points in a different direction than the other toes
- One finger is crooked and turned up
- swollen finger
- bruised sock
- You can’t put weight on your foot
- Pain lasts more than a day or two
The Cleveland Clinic also advises against icing your toe as you need blood flow to the injury to speed healing, but it’s best to check with your doctor about whether they want you to ice or not. In the meantime, pick it up and take painkillers, but see a professional as soon as possible.
What can a doctor do?
It’s worth going to the doctor because even if they tell you to just bandage your finger, chances are they may have other treatments for you and it’s not good to skip them. For example, if your bone has moved out of place, it needs to be aligned. Even simple toe fractures can cause problems like arthritis in the future if they don’t heal properly. It’s best to get tested.
According to the Mayo Clinic , you can usually treat a broken finger by tying it to one of its neighbors, but severe fractures may require a cast or surgery. Your doctor can determine if the fracture is serious, especially if it’s in the big toe, which plays an important role in balance and walking.