Many people have potentially damaging misconceptions on what one should do about broken toes. It’s very difficult to determine the true severity of a toe injury without the help of your foot doctor. For example, a poorly treated broken toe with a break or stress fracture can heal improperly, requiring more aggressive treatment at a later stage.
2 misconceptions about broken toes include the following:
- If you can walk on your foot, then your toe isn’t broken— A common toe injury is a stress fracture that often causes only intermittent pain. Continuing to walk on a foot with a broken toe can make the injury progressively worse, and you may not notice what is happening until considerable damage has been done. This is especially true for patients with diabetes who often have trouble feeling pain in their feet and ankles.
- A broken toe will heal all by itself, so there’s nothing to worry about—This misconception is unfortunately all too common. Whenever you suffer an injury to your foot, you should always take the time to have the situation properly evaluated to avoid causing further problems. Rest the foot and let any swelling subside so you can get a better idea of the damage. If you continue to experience swelling and pain into the second day, you need to see your podiatrist for a proper exam and treatment. For severely bent or fractured toes, surgery may be needed.
If you need help treating a broken toe, the foot specialists at ETL Podiatry in Briarwood and Melville, NY have unparalleled experience in treating all aspects of foot and ankle problems. Our team of doctors that includes Geoffrey C. Epstein, DPM, Matthew J. Tavroff, DPM, Stuart B. Leon, DPM and Robert J. Leon, DPM is dedicated to serving you with all of the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies. If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Melville, NY (631)-549-8637 and Briarwood, NY (718)-657-8921.
