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Original poster

Advice for broken toe needed please

18 replies

Nerdlings · 21/12/2024 12:57

If anyone has ever broken their toe, is there a splint or brace they can recommend? I’ve just been advised to rest it, take painkillers etc but I’m in so much pain

OP posts:
SleepingisanArt · 21/12/2024 13:21

Buddy strap it to the toe next to it - that's how mine was done. Elevate when resting, ice if there's swelling and take ibuprofen and paracetamol together - you can get 400mg ibuprofen and take 2 (even though they'll tell you only one when you buy them but my knee surgeon has me on 2 at a time!) If that doesn't help then drop the paracetamol and add in some co-codamol but be aware it can make you drowsy.

HermioneWeasley · 21/12/2024 13:23

Buddy strap it but use cotton wool to pad between the toes so it sets straight not slightly leaning to the side. Ice, rest, ibuprofen (anti inflammatory)

Hedgerow2 · 21/12/2024 13:24

Advised by whom?

I broke one of my little toes years ago and it healed out of shape which has caused me lots of problems with footwear. If it looks like it's not been dislocated then I agree there's not much you can do other than strap to the next, rest, painkillers etc.

If it looks like it's out of shape, or if it's your big toe best to get it x-rayed if you haven't already.

MumChp · 21/12/2024 13:24

Strap it, big shoe and painkiller. Hallux call 111/A&E.

Original poster
Nerdlings · 21/12/2024 13:35

Thank you so much for the replies.

The advice on the NHS website says no need to go to A&E. It’s not bent in an unusual position or anything. I don’t think I could even get to A&E. The pain is immense and I can’t put any weight on it at all. I don’t think I could even put a shoe on.

OP posts:
Original poster
Nerdlings · 21/12/2024 13:36

I’m going to send dh out to buy the things needed to strap it.

OP posts:
Fraaances · 21/12/2024 13:41

Which toe is it? Some breaks require a boot.

Marinel · 21/12/2024 13:47

I have broken several different (small) toes over the past 20 years and I agree that you will not be able to get a shoe on. In summer I was able to limp around in sandals with adjustable straps which I loosened. When I broke a toe in winter, in order to be able to leave the house I bought a cheap pair of boots with a comfy fake fur interior in a size up (from Amazon).

It was 8 weeks before I could wear my normal footwear.

I did buddy strap my toe one time, but I found it made it hurt more than leaving it alone so I didn't bother with the others and it seemed to make no difference.

Original poster
Nerdlings · 21/12/2024 14:00

It’s the toe next to my little toe.

My daughter is the same shoe size as me and I’ve tried putting my daughters sliders on. It’s so painful and there’s no way I can even wear those. I think I’m going to strap it and see how I get on.

It’s such a bad time to do it. I have so much to do for Christmas!

OP posts:
Hedgerow2 · 21/12/2024 14:12

When I broke my little toe it was the day before we were going on holiday. I cut a hole in an old pair of trainer so there was nothing pressing on the broken toe. Could you do something like that?

Or, could you maybe bandage/pad the toes either side so any footwear rests on them and not the broken toe?

Balloonhearts · 21/12/2024 14:21

Have you got anything you can secure to the bottom of your foot but set back from the toe so you are essentially walking on your heel? Like a block, Hoof GP style? Sounds silly but the impact of walking on it will be aggravating it. I think slipper socks will be your friend here.

Also, use crutches if you have or can get them. Keeping it off the ground is key.

Marinel · 21/12/2024 14:27

@Nerdlings I couldn't get my sliders on either at first. The swelling should start subsiding after a week or so. In 3 weeks you will probably find you can fit your foot into that slider. When you are limping around try to keep your foot flat, no flexing your foot. But try to keep off your feet as much as possible.

The one time I did find strapping really helpful was in bed - it helps keep the bedcovers off your toe.

Mirrorxxx · 21/12/2024 14:34

I have broken my little toe a couple of times and just strapped it to the next toe with padding and worn open toe shoes. But last year I broke a different toe and it looked very bent so I went to a walk in centre. They did an x ray and gave a protective shoe after strapping it up. Not muxh that can be done but it hurt for months

Greybeardy · 21/12/2024 14:59

you can get 400mg ibuprofen and take 2 (even though they'll tell you only one when you buy them but my knee surgeon has me on 2 at a time!)

@SleepingisanArt this sort of dosing is not suitable for everyone - your knee surgeon will (hopefully) have thought about your kidneys/heart/stomach/other medications before advising that this is right for you.

Original poster
Nerdlings · 21/12/2024 21:33

Just an update, I called 111 who sent me to urgent care and they took an X-ray.
It’s broken it in 2 places. It’s quite bad so they have strapped it and given me a shoe, and they referred me to the fracture clinic

OP posts:
Hedgerow2 · 22/12/2024 01:03

Glad you had it looked at properly. Sounds really nasty! How did you do it?

Printedword · 22/12/2024 01:07

When I broke my toe I went to small injuries clinic locally. They gave me a big sandal thing that looked like ancient Japanese footwear and was too big after swelling went down. GP showed me how to buddy strap. Much more comfy and healing was pretty quick

RosesAndHellebores · 22/12/2024 05:21

When I did this years ago, I found I could walk in clogs as they prevented bending.

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