Broken toe advice

[Queenofscones]

My healthy, fit, 56-year-old husband husband stubbed his little toe on a rock at the weekend. It puffed up and went red but wasn't hugely painful and he could still move it a little. We treated it with arnica and ibuprofen and over the last couple of days the swelling's gone down a bit but it's still red. My mum broke a couple of toes and I know that all a doctor would do is strap my husband's toe to the next one, but my husband doesn't want that.

What he does seem to want is a fuss. Everyone including our postman has heard about his toe and been asked for advice. Everyone says what I say: the hospital won't do anything more for him than tape it up. He's walking around on it without needing painkillers but he's constantly complaining about it. He's not normally like this so a bit of me is wondering whether there might be more going on than meets the eye. Has anyone broken a toe and had complications?

If he’s constantly complaining why doesn’t he take some pain killers? If he takes some medication and is still complaining he should really go and get an X ray just to check what’s going on.

When I did that my little toe look like a black olives! It doesn't hurt that much and he'll be fine, he just wants a bit of sympathy. If he keeps on tell him to go to A&E and to pack some sandwiches to take with him as he'll be waiting about 24 hours before he's seen for that!

Thanks for your reassurance. I was obviously sympathetic at the time — I guess we all know how agonising a stubbed toe, let alone a broken one can be. I went and found the ibuprofen and the arnica and helped him apply it the first time. After that it's up to him to dose himself, surely? He's an adult. He's shown me the toe each day and I think it's improving. I've offered to tape it but he doesn't want that. What more can he want.

The irony of the situation is that I've had Plantar Fasciitis and bone spurs in my heel for the last couple of years and I'm often in severe pain and walk with a limp — but I deal with it quietly and without fuss.

Oh I want suggesting you give him his medication I was just wondering why he wasn’t taking any. I agree with you entirely that it’s up to him to sort himself out.

If he continues to moan I’d be inclined to be very honest with him - ask him why he’s moaning about pain when he can easily administer pain killers.

My dd broke her little toe but A&E don't even xray it. They just have a look to make sure none of the foot bones are broken and send you on your way. Didn't even strap it up!

If he's concerned about his foot go to a&e or urgent care but if he's sure it's only the toe, just leave it be, take painkillers and it'll be fine in a couple of weeks.

I broke 2 just before Christmas, they turned black and hurt like hell. I didn't bother going to the hospital, just elevated my foot as much as I could, put packs of frozen veg on them and hoped for the best. They seem ok, One feels a bit numb, I probably damaged a nerve or something.

I stubbed my middle toe 8 weeks ago, it was extremely bruised and swollen, the bruise extended half way up my foot. I phoned minor injuries, but they weren't interested - they said rest, ice, ibuprofen. It took a good 6 weeks before there was no pain and the toe is still a bit swollen now. It was very uncomfortable for walking on for 3 to 4 weeks. It really will take time to heal, but will eventually get better.

Have had several broken toes. Nothing to be done. Tell him to crack on.

My friend did this and assumed no point going to A&E. she gave in after she could still barely walk a week later and it turned out she'd also broken some bones in her foot and ended up with a cast/boot thing.

Thanks for the feedback. He's been working and on his feet in boots all day. He's not limping and he doesn't appear to have taken any more painkillers so I presume he's not in any significant discomfort. He's complained about it several times this evening and I've had a look. The swelling's down and although it's still quite red it's not hot or sore to the touch. He's still saying I'm unsympathetic but honestly, what is there to say or do...