A broken toe is a common injury where a bone in your toe is broken (fractured).
Symptoms of a broken toe include pain, bruising and swelling.
You can usually treat a broken toe with things like painkillers, rest and ice packs. Severe breaks or a broken big toe may need hospital treatment.
Read more on the NHS website.
Symptoms of a broken toe include pain, bruising and swelling.
Check if you have a broken toe
You may have broken your toe if it's:
- red or bruised
- painful and swollen
- difficult to walk on
Do not worry if you're not sure if it's broken or just bruised, treatment is usually the same for both.
Read more on the NHS website.
You can usually treat a broken toe with things like painkillers, rest and ice packs. Severe breaks or a broken big toe may need hospital treatment.
Self-care
Doctors will usually suggest you treat a broken toe at home first if:
- it's not your big toe
- the bone is not sticking out of your foot
- your toe is not pointing at an odd angle
- there's no wound on your toe
Broken toes usually heal within 4 to 6 weeks, but it can sometimes take several months.
Do
- take ibuprofen and paracetamol for the pain and swelling
- rest your foot and keep it raised
- hold an ice pack (or bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a towel on your toe for up to 20 minutes every few hours
- wear wide, comfortable shoes with a low heel
- avoid walking around as much as possible
- strap up your broken toe – put a small piece of cotton wool or gauze between your sore toe and the toe next to it, then tape them together to support the sore toe
Don't
- do not strap up your toe if it's pointing out at an odd angle or you have hurt your big toe – get medical advice
- do not put ice directly on your skin
- do not walk or stand for long periods
- do not wear tight, pointy shoes
- do not play any sports like football, rugby or hockey for 6 weeks or until the pain eases
- do not try and treat your child's toe – take them to an urgent treatment centre or A&E
Read more on the NHS website.