Posted: 8/26/2009 5:07:36 PM EDT
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I dropped a 6x6 on my big toe today (no, I'm not a klutz, the person on the other end decided to drop it without warning). How do I know if I broke it? More importantly, if I did, is there anything that can be done or should be done? All my previous broken bones have required casts of some sort. If it were just the toe itself, I probably wouldn't care. But the point of impact was actually a bit more on the foot bones too and I don't know how bad a break in that area would be. I can't move the toe much but that could be due to the swelling. It hurts to flex the foot, but not so much to touch it.
Trying to decide if it's worth a call to the doc. *****************************Update 8/28****************** IT IS NOT BROKEN!!!! Woot! Just a massive tissue bruise (you should see the coloring now  ).
I appreciate the offers to come and make me feel better. You're all so sweet! 
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| Not sure about the big toe, but the other toes they just tape to the toes next to them and you roll on. Have a doctor look at it anyway, you never know they might have some super miracle cure now instead of what amounts to white duct tape wrapped around your toes. |
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OUCH!! Had that hapen once and it crushed the outside of my entire right foot!! But as far as the big toe.....swollen behind it and probably the toe itself. The toe may be purple or red and hot to the touch. Painful to touch/bend/apply pressure to. Unfortunately the best thing to do is to try to stay off it for a day or two. "Baby it" as they say. Elevate it for now and ice it as needed. A big toe doesn't get a cast. You can tape it with medical tape to stabalize it to the toe beside it. I suggest ibuprofen every six hours or so to help with pain and swelling. The only way to tell if the small bones in the foot are actually broken is an xray.....but they would have the same symptoms...it would be hard to flatten the foot too!!
Good Luck!! |
It works like this: if you go to the doc, it won't be broken. If you don't go to the doc, it will be broken. 
Seriously, if you think it hit the foot behind the toes you should get it looked at. I've had my foot broken twice, wearing steel toes both times; the objects hit behind the steel caps both times. 
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I am well versed in the medical care of broken toes (four total, two at one time) - tape, Advil, and rest. And do NOT go out dancing with the wife the evening after you break two toes even if you don't want her to know that you've been back to the kickboxing gym for the last two months without telling her. Episodes like that do not end well. 
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Pics or it didn't happen! http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m164/chevylfan/P1020272.jpg I knew someone would ask. 
You can see the outline of it in the greener part of the bruise.  That needs to be x-rayed to make sure you haven't broken anything higher up. The bruising goes higher than your description led to believe. |
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Pics or it didn't happen! http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m164/chevylfan/P1020272.jpg I knew someone would ask.
You can see the outline of it in the greener part of the bruise. That needs to be x-rayed to make sure you haven't broken anything higher up. The bruising goes higher than your description led to believe. And what's the fix if in fact something's broke? |
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Pics or it didn't happen! http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m164/chevylfan/P1020272.jpg I knew someone would ask. You can see the outline of it in the greener part of the bruise. That needs to be x-rayed to make sure you haven't broken anything higher up. The bruising goes higher than your description led to believe. And what's the fix if in fact something's broke? Depends on the nature of the fx. If it's a simple one, a cast. If it's more complex (think pieces) then it's surgery time. |
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I "think" i broke my big toe once. Didn't get it x rayed or looked at so I can't be positive. Mine was just the toe and it was all bruised up and super painful. Had it looked like yours though, I would have gotten it checked out. Mine was just out on the toe, yours looks a bit more serious.
ETA Shouldn't there be a rifle in every toe picture? Or do I have that backwards?
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Possible Metatarsal Fracture from the bruise site.
I'd x-ray it. For a toe, not much to do except buddy tape it to the next toe (we don't do much with fractured toes except the taping and possibly a surgical (wooden soled) shoe). For a Met fracture, it needs to have some immobilization (usually just a surgical shoe or possibly a cast boot, depending on the severity), as it can heal plantarflexed (bent downwards) or dorsiflexed (upwards), and cause problems down the road. AFARR (Foot Dr). |
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Possible Metatarsal Fracture from the bruise site. I'd x-ray it. For a toe, not much to do except buddy tape it to the next toe (we don't do much with fractured toes except the taping and possibly a surgical (wooden soled) shoe). For a Met fracture, it needs to have some immobilization (usually just a surgical shoe or possibly a cast boot, depending on the severity), as it can heal plantarflexed (bent downwards) or dorsiflexed (upwards), and cause problems down the road. AFARR (Foot Dr). And someone said internet forum medical advice was worthless.
Will call the doc tomorrow. Thanks. |
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Broken toe, they will at most tape it to another.
Now if it's crushed, you should probably see a doc. A sharp, stabbing pain when you move it would indicate a break or fracture, in my experience. If you get a running red streak climbing your leg from the toe, go to an ER ASAP. |
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I have broken all but one toe and some up to three times.
I just use Menthol Camphor on nearby the toe and nearby toes and foot to kill the pain. Also splint the toe with tape along with another toe. Then I goto work.. Never took time of for it.. Just Aleve for the pain..
But I have been out of work now for almost six weeks for 3 tumors removed from the bottom of my left foot. Just got the stiches out this week.. Nasty pain.. I would rather had dealt with broken toes.. Aleve doesnt really work.
At least I got my post count up..
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Not much you can do for a broken toe except rest, take it easy and wait for it to heal. +1 If you go to the doc, they will tell you to keep weight off of it and take a Tylenol and then proceed to charge you for the visit. Just tough it out. I recommend wearing flip flops or sandals for a few weeks. 
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Pics or it didn't happen! http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m164/chevylfan/P1020272.jpg I knew someone would ask.
You can see the outline of it in the greener part of the bruise. Your foot is flicking me off 
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Pics or it didn't happen! http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m164/chevylfan/P1020272.jpg I knew someone would ask.
You can see the outline of it in the greener part of the bruise. Hey your baby toes are turned to the side too. Mine got that way from breaking them..
Yes its nasty. Elevate your back and foot up when sleeping. Dont have the airconditioner blowing cold air on it. Take a large sock and cut off the band on it . You need to keep the blood flowing in and out of your foot or you will get blood clotting. Soak your foot epson salt during the day for about 1/2 hour. Looks like yo got it good.. Wear a good pair of leather sandels , with a good solid bottom that buckle up. ETA Link to my topic http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=901864&page=1� For those who like pics. Click on graphic link. |
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Youch!
My son and I are both Judo players which has resulted in a fair share of broken toes (kinda comes with the territory) Whether it's sprained or broken, Ibuprofen, the whole RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation thing) and anatomical splinting (taping your injured toe/ finger to it's nearest neighbor) has always minimized the pain and has thus far kept both of us with relatively normal looking, functional toes. Of course, in the long run....it's hard to go wrong getting real medical attention.... Hope ya' recover soon, I know it hurts like hell. (more than most folks realize if it's not there or they don't have a visual aid) |
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Broken bones in the foot suck. Mainly because you just can't stay off of them long enough for them to heal. I broke a metatarsal bone in my foot before, kind of a greenstick fracture. I begged the orthopedic surgeon to screw it back solid, but he wouldn't do it. Drove me nuts with every step I took for well over a year.
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And what's the fix if in fact something's broke? Well, I could drive over to Indiana and kiss it to make it well again.
and then we could paint each other's toenails, maybe? I would drive over but your alot closer.. I would rub her feet and offer to carry and clean her guns..
ETA She is here somewhere.. |
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Not sure about the big toe, but the other toes they just tape to the toes next to them and you roll on. Have a doctor look at it anyway, you never know they might have some super miracle cure now instead of what amounts to white duct tape wrapped around your toes. Big toe too....
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