How can I tell whether my little toe is broken or just bruised?

[emkana]

It's swollen, hurts when touched and has a purple bruise on it.
Would a doctor do anything, or do I just have to wait for it to heal?

bump

hi, took ds1 to a and e last year with two suspected broken toes, they just taped them did,nt x-ray as they said treatment is the same wether broken or badly bruised, hope that helps.

oh dear - have you bumped it again ! (sorry)

Can you wiggle it ?

Just wait, they won't do anything.

If it still hurts in 6 weeks, it was broken.

Whatever's up with it, rest ice compression elevation will help. Tape it to the toe next to it if it hurts to walk. Also take maxdose of iboprofen or diclofenac or similar.

Yes I can wiggle it.

toe info !

"If it still hurts in 6 weeks, it was broken."

Thanks for that.

And thank you for all your other advice.
Will have to be paracetamol because I'm b/feeding.
Here's to lovely walks to school...

I don't think there is anything that can be done for a broken toe. DH has broken his toe a few times. When he was younger, the hospital joined it to the next toe with a splint. He didn't bother going to the hospital when he did it again as he knew it would heal quickly.

I have really hurt my toe today, I don't think its broken as I can't see any bruising but its so painful. Its still throbbing now even though I hurt it early this morning.

How did you hurt your toe?

Had a run-in with a table leg!

No, you can still take ibprofen or diclofenac (prescription only). Check the BFN, iboprofen is fine.

Sorry about non-helpfullness of the six-week thing, I've broken a lot of toes, and the only one that still gives me trouble is the one that I rebroke soon after while fighting with a boy in the street (whoops!).

I could wiggle my toes when I broke them I'm afraid! Not worth seeing anyone, just tape it to next toe, pad it out to save on the pain and as NQC says wait for the next 6 weeks . Toes are quite easy to break imo and they do go very bruised, so you could apply some cream to take bruising down if you like.

which toe emkana?

Iboprofen or diclofenac will reduce swelling and help it heal faster, paracetamol just reduces the pain.

Ps
I've broken every single one of mine
Broke 8 at once, one time.
Bruised = broen pretty much, usual info ice elevation, keep off it when poss.

Oh and wear your biggest, widest shoes (or borrow you dh's as I had to do )

Smallest toe on right foot.
This is all really helpful, thanks.

ouch

DP woke me one morning saying I tripped over the sodding cat and stubbed my toe I think it's broken, me (at 6am) said don't be stupid let me see it, his little toe was at a right angle to the one next to it! he went to a and e they said yes it's broken taped it to the one next to it and told him to take ibuprofen.

right little toe affects balance so watch that.
They heal quite well as they nestle to the next toe and have natural protection.
They do go a gorgeous colour though

You all have my sympathy - I bashed my right little toe back at the beginning of summer and had to wear flipflops all summer long - only just got back into shoes and even then, tis only trainers, can't wear heels.
Mine was from a runin with a doorframe
Hope you feel better soon.