Most suspected bruised toes also are broken. He does not speak for any licensing college or provider of this degree. The bruising and or swelling don't improve. Proper treatment early on can help ensure that your toe heals correctly and it doesnt lead to any other issues. It is slightly different from a traumatic fracture, as it usually occurs due to overuse and repetitive activity. Vive Offloading Post-Op Shoe - Forefront Wedge Boot for Broken Toe Injury - Non Weight Bearing Medical Recovery for Foot Surgery, Hammer Toes, Bunion, Feet Walking Orthopedic (Men 7-9, Women 8.5-10) 4.1 (700) $2995 ($29.95/Count) FREE delivery Wed, Jan 11. Consider taking an anti-inflammatory pain . Pain in the pinky toe is common and can have many causes, including a break, stress fracture, sprain, corn, bone spur, or some . Learn how we can help. Gravlee JR, et al. The following sections outline some other causes of pain and swelling in the pinky toe in more detail. As a 2021 review explains, stress fractures can occur when muscles in the toe become too weak to absorb impact. If you have recently injured your pinky toe and arent sure what to do next, book an appointment with your podiatrist today. However, if home remedies do not seem to be working, it is important to see a doctor, as the issue could turn out to be something more serious. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). We avoid using tertiary references. Stress fractures are usually small hairline breaks that occur after repeated stress on the bone. 1. Ice it up. However, it is far more likely to heel when it is stable and immobile. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Your doctor will likely recommend over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications, rest, and home care. Treatment depends on the kind of break you have: A stress fracture, also known as a hairline fracture, is a small crack or bruise that develops within the bone over time. For mild to moderate bunions, switching to a roomier shoe and adding bunion pads to shoes can help prevent continued shifting and ease symptoms. A person may need to have their broken toe buddy taped to an adjacent one. Read on to learn how to recognize and treat a broken toe, the different types of fractures and breaks, healing times, and more. Rarely, a person may need to wear a cast to keep the foot immobile. Children under the age of 18 should not be given aspirin. Dislocation is fairly common among athletes and people over 65. TheAAOScategorize sprains into three grades: Treatment depends on the severity of the sprain but could include: A dislocation is a complete separation of the bones in a joint. Wrap the pinky toe with medical tape and then wrap the pinky toe to the neighboring toe. On the other hand, if you make an appointment with your podiatrist to have your toe checked out as soon as possible, you will not only mitigate the risk of a bone infection, but youll also greatly reduce your pain and discomfort. [4] Children under the age of 18 should not be given aspirin. Depending on the severity of your pain, your doctor may recommend: In some cases, if pain interferes with your daily activities, or the bunion is more severe, your doctor may recommend surgery. The pain is typically worse during activity and eases if you rest your foot. The toenail will usually regrow normally, but it may be wise to see a foot healthcare provider as you heal. This will help limit swelling and pain. After walking around, you should check the toe for any swelling. This is particularly important if a person hears a snapping, grinding, or popping noise at the time of the break. They are a response to bone pressure against the skin. Its possible to dislocate one toe bone and also have an injury to another toe bone, such as a fracture. Curly toe or adductovarus toe. Do not take pain medication if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or any bleeding disorders, such as ulcers. Structural abnormalities can also be remedied with medical treatment. Broken toes and sprained toes share many causes and symptoms. 2004-2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. It is best to visit a doctor as soon as someone suspects that there is something wrong. The pinky toe is a commonly broken toe, and the fracture usually occurs at its base. They can also lead to the formation of corns, calluses, or blisters on the toe. But, the pain does not keep your child from any normal activities. Toe injuries can also affect a persons gait, harming other joints such as the hips or knees. whether the broken bone has moved out of its proper location or become displaced, where it is broken, including whether it is near a joint, pain that occurs after activities such as walking or running. Toe and metatarsal fractures (broken toes). Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Apply it no more than 20 minutes at a time, couple times a day. Accessed Sept. 22, 2022. Prop your foot up when possible so that your injury is higher than your heart. Sprained toes can take around 46 weeks to heal. NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and aspirin (Excedrin). After the first day, place a cotton ball between your pinky and the next toe, then tape the 2 toes together. The bones then move out of their normal position. This will help support your pinky while it heals. The reason for this is that the natural movement of the foot will be affected if the crutches are used wrongly. Additional imaging studies may be necessary if the initial X-ray does not show anything. You may want to write a list that includes: Your doctor may ask some of the following questions: Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Fractures of the fifth metatarsal. Doctors will first recommend either a walking boot or a cast, along with a toe plate, for around 23 weeks. A protective or stiff-soled shoe: This can help keep the toe properly aligned. Stiffness of the toe is common as well. Treatment for a broken little toe (pinky toe) usually involves buddy taping. We also offer Telehealth appointments. It can be hard to tell whether the toe is bruised, broken, or sprained. This involves: Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and aspirin can help ease the pain and swelling. Have your child rest and protect the toe. Product Highlights Customer Reviews. Normal recovery time is 3 to 4 weeks. Pain is the most common symptom of a stress fracture, and it can gradually get worse over time, especially if you continue putting weight on it. Your toes play an important role in keeping you balanced as you move, whether youre barefoot or wearing shoes. Treatment Treatment depends on the severity of the sprain but could include: resting the toe icing the toe wearing a compression sock using crutches to aid walking taking pain relief medication using a walking boot, which is a stiff boot that protects the toe as it heals Dislocation A dislocation is a complete separation of the bones in a joint. . 4 Treatment should continue until point tenderness is resolved, usually at least three. Protection: wear sturdy shoes with stiff soles, that don't squash or bend the toe. Remedies for a broken little toe can include using the adjacent toe as a . In all cases, the aim is for the individual to keep their toe as still and straight as possible to better the healing process. Make sure that the direction of your fingers is away from your body. It's just a fifth toe. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/be\/Treat-a-Broken-Pinky-Toe-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Treat-a-Broken-Pinky-Toe-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/be\/Treat-a-Broken-Pinky-Toe-Step-1.jpg\/aid7460424-v4-728px-Treat-a-Broken-Pinky-Toe-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"