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Original poster

There’s very little to be done for a broken little toe right?

27 replies

Chelsea26 · 17/10/2019 19:49

I mean I’m not even sure it’s broken but it’s very swollen and a bit bruised and it hurts a surprising amount for such a small thing!

I know I should of RICE’d it but I was on my way to the school run with not a minute to spare so just went. Now home and the kids are in bed and I’ve finally had a chance to take a look at it.

Maybe strap it to the next one tomorrow and see how we go?

OP posts:
AlanThePig · 17/10/2019 19:52

Exactly that. Rule of toe thumb is big ones need looking at, little ones RICE and strapping.

I've broken my big toe in the past and it hurt rather a lot so you have my sympathy.

WhereDidTheOddSockGo · 17/10/2019 19:52

As long as it doesn't look or feel out of shape you can't really do anything, and neither will any doctors.

Can you feel the bone through the swelling and compare to the other foot?

Sending sympathy, I currently have a broken little finger!

Xenadog · 17/10/2019 19:53

Strap it to the next one with a bit of gauze between the two toes. RICE it when you can and take ibuprofen. I injured (broke?) mine mid August and it is still swollen and a bit sore. Apparently it is common to take so long to recover.

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PurpleCrazyHorse · 17/10/2019 20:11

I probably broke my little toe on holiday, it was really painful, I couldn't wear shoes and it went quite purple. I just strapped it up and took painkillers. Took quite a while to stop hurting at points, probably a couple of months. It's totally fine and straight now, no problems at all. Didn't even bother seeing a GP or anything. Figured they wouldn't do much more than we could at home. Obviously if it went numb or was excruciatingly painful, then I would have got advice.

MeadowHay · 17/10/2019 20:13

I injured a little toe as a teen, it was so painful and I couldnt weight bare on it and so swollen that a few hours later my DF took me to the children's walk-in centre. They said there was no way to tell if it was broken or just really badly bruised but no treatment other than strapping it to the one next to it and OTC painkillers. Healed itself.

DramaAlpaca · 17/10/2019 20:14

Like everyone else said, just strap it to the one next to it, take painkillers & RICE. It'll be sore for a while, unfortunately.

Medievalist · 17/10/2019 20:15

Make sure it's not dislocated. I have broken both my little toes and just left them. One of them was dislocated and healed out of shape. Has caused me no end of problems finding comfy shoes.

managedmis · 17/10/2019 20:16

I did this last year, it hurt like mad for about 4 months! Not sure if the doc could have done anything but if I'd have gone to the docs I might have had a sick note

Velveteenfruitbowl · 17/10/2019 20:20

I would go for an X-ray. If it hurst that much I would suspect it’s a proper break or something else (as opposed to a fracture which is not particularly painful). If it’s broken they will most likely strap it in place and maybe give you some pain relief. Obviously if there is some complex issue they would treat it (or I hope they would, not always safe to hope with the NHS in some areas). If you have insurance for this or a minor injuries unit in your area I would wait until the morning in your place. A&E isn’t really the best place for this unless you have no other fast options. But don’t deny yourself basic healthcare, that’s just wrong.

MeadowHay · 17/10/2019 20:22

They won't x-ray a little toe. They wouldn't x-ray mine, no point as treatment is the same whether it's a fracture or not. It would be different if months and months later you were having issues maybe there would be need for a scan then but immediately, they won't x-ray it, so no point.

Teacakeandalatte · 17/10/2019 20:32

If you find that the normal painkillers are not strong enough you could visit the GP for some pain relief, they could give you cocodamol or naproxen.

Original poster
Chelsea26 · 17/10/2019 20:53

Thanks everyone.

I don’t think it’s dislocated, it’s in the right place, just a lot larger than usual!

I’ve stuck some ice on it and am now lying with it up (and a glass of red wine!) Grin

I’ll strap it up tomorrow and keep an eye

Not the best thing before a weekend in Butlins on my own with two young boys Envy

OP posts:
jcurve · 17/10/2019 22:06

I broke my little toe and went to non-urgent care. It was extremely painful all the way up my foot & I couldn’t walk so I was worried it was a metatarsal fracture.

In all honesty, all they did was an x-ray & the nurse gave me a “I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed in you” look for taking up NHS time for a broken little toe as she sent me away with crutches. Took a good 3 weeks to be able to wear anything except Birkenstock sandals though.

Medievalist · 17/10/2019 23:00

They won't x-ray a little toe

They will if they think it's dislocated

64sNewName · 17/10/2019 23:04

I have broken mine twice (one time each side!) and both times was told not to strap it up.

Unfortunately I can’t remember what the reason was ... but I didn’t strap it and it was fine.

I think maybe it was to do with the type of break - anyway, fwiw strapping is NOT always necessary or encouraged, in my experience.

Livpool · 17/10/2019 23:09

I broke mine a few years ago (my God it hurt!). I went to A and E as I had no idea what I had done and they just strapped it up. I would advise resting but that and painkillers and you are good to go

ShagMeRiggins · 17/10/2019 23:19

Same happened with my son and doctor said we were right to have it x-rayed because depending on the break there could be complications that require surgery.

Always get it x-rayed, don’t assume doctors won’t do anything. You’re not wasting their time, it’s what they’re there for.

Hecateh · 17/10/2019 23:38

@Velveteenfruitbowl a fracture and a break are exactly the same thing. Yes there are different degrees 'displaced' 'compound' 'greenstick' and more but they are all still breaks and they are all still fractures.

Google it if you don't believe me

OneHanded · 18/10/2019 02:10

It’s hard to say; they treated three vertebrae fractures and three rib fractures conservatively, but pinned and plated two fingers! It sounds like you’ve done the right thing first aid wise but do see how you go, even if it means seeing gp! I’ve done that five days after slipping three days in a row and they referred me to a and e for a ct scan.

Velveteenfruitbowl · 18/10/2019 09:10

@Hecateh a fracture is just a crack in the bone as opposed to a full on break. The difference is both visible and palpable. They require different levels of treatment and often have different healing time. Many fractures as such non events that people don’t realise they even have them and leave them untreated without issues. The same can’t be said for a break.

Damntheman · 18/10/2019 09:26

I've broken SO many toes. Make sure when you're elevating it that you have your foot above your heart. It's not very comfortable but just having your foot on a stool at the same level as your hip is not going to have any effect. I find it's easier to actually lie down on the sofa and have my foot up on the back of it to get the break high enough.

Strap to the next one, take it easy.

Hecateh · 18/10/2019 09:45

@Velveteenfruitbowl

No - fracture and break are different words for the same thing.

Bupa "A fracture is a broken or cracked bone. A fracture can be partial or the bone may completely break. Bone is able to repair itself. But for most fractures, you'll need treatment to manage your pain and help the bone to stay in the right position while it heals."

or
orthopaedic institute
"Fracture, break, crack, it's the same: The structure of the bone is interrupted.” There are several ways in which a bone can break, or fracture, and the break can be either partial or complete. ... "

Or any one of many medical sites.

It was used as a trick question when I was doing my nurse training. Asking which is worse, with the answer being neither, that they are different words for the same thing

KurriKurri · 18/10/2019 10:11

Following with interest - I injured my toe (the one next to the big toe) last night - it is very painful, I'm having to walk on my heel. I assumed they wouldn't do anything, just let it heal on it's own if it is broken.
Sympathies OP - it is very painful and a total nuisance.
I've actually got a nurses appt this morning for another matter, am wondering if I should whip my toe out and wave it in front of the nurse.

Damntheman · 18/10/2019 10:24

I would Kurri! If it's a metatarsal fracture you may need crutches and a moon boot. If it's just the toe they'll tape it. Walking on your heel for too long could cause a stress fracture elsewhere in the foot so be careful with yourself :) (not a medic, just a lot of painful experience)

Original poster
Chelsea26 · 18/10/2019 11:18

Thanks all - my toe is a delicious mix of purple and green today Grin

I tried to strap it to the next one but it’s a lot shorter and it didn’t really work so I’ll just leave it be. Weirdly it’s more comfortable in trainers than barefoot or flip flops (maybe they’re holding it in or something??)

I’ll take a load of ibuprofen to Butlins and use it as an excuse to not go on the climbing wall Etc and sit around watching instead!

OP posts: