What is the difference between a sprained toe and a broken toe

Broken toes are some of the most common breaks of the foot and are frequently marked by symptoms like:. Although broken toes are well known, the treatment of them seems to be clouded with many unknowns and falsehoods.

This is not only untrue, but can be harmful. If a fractured toe is not treated promptly and correctly, serious complications may develop!

Although it may be possible to move and walk on your broken toe, you should avoid doing so as this can lead to even greater damage and prolonged healing time. If you suspect your toe or any bone is broken, hot water or any heat applied to the area can make it worse! Heat causes an increase in blood flow, which leads to more swelling and more pain. This type of injury is especially common in sports. Wearing the right shoes usually offers additional support to keep your feet safe.

Be aware that it may also be the result of carrying heavy loads for extended periods of time or by not eating foods with enough Vitamin D or Calcium. If you are working with heavy objects, closed-toed shoes are essential in protecting your feet.

When left untreated, you may end up with a deformed toe, chronic pain , or post-traumatic arthritis. Left untreated, you may end up with painful bone spurs or a hammertoe.

If you are in pain or think you may have broken your toe, contact us. Subscribe to our newsletter for joint health articles, procedure information, and news from the cutting edge of orthopedic care.

Broken Toe vs. Sprained Toe: The Symptoms The best way to tell the difference between a broken toe and a sprained toe is to look at the symptoms of both. It will still swell, but will likely have less bruising. A sprained toe may be painful for several days, but should then begin to improve. One other key difference between a break and a sprain is the location of the pain. Usually a break will hurt right where the bone has fractured.

With a sprain, the pain may be felt in a more general area around the toe. The only way to tell for sure if the injury is a break or a sprain is to see your doctor.

They can examine your toe and determine the type of injury. The two most common causes of a broken toe are stubbing it into something hard or having something heavy land on it. A broken toe can usually be diagnosed with the use of an X-ray. Your doctor will examine your toe and ask for your medical history. Tell your doctor as many details as you can about the injury and your symptoms. Be sure to tell your doctor if you notice a loss of feeling or tingling in your toe.

This could be a sign of nerve damage. Getting images from different angles is important to understand the extent of the break. Even before you know whether your toe is broken, you should ice the injured toe and keep it elevated.

You may also take over-the-counter painkillers, such as acetaminophen Tylenol , ibuprofen Advil , Motrin , or naproxen Aleve. Usually, a gauze pad is placed between the toes to prevent skin irritation.

The non-broken toe is basically used as a splint to help keep the broken toe from moving too much.