Broken toe
Broken toe
A broken toe can be painful, but you do not usually need to go to hospital. There are things you can do to treat it at home.
Check if you have a broken toe
You may have broken your toe if it’s:
- red or bruised
- painful and swollen
- difficult to walk on
What you can do about a broken toe
Doctors will usually suggest you treat a broken toe at home first if:
- it’s not your big toe
- the bone is not sticking out of your foot
- your toe is not pointing at an odd angle
- there’s no wound on your toe
Broken toes usually heal within 4 to 6 weeks, but it can sometimes take several months.
- take ibuprofen or paracetamol for the pain and swelling
- rest your foot and keep it raised
- hold an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a towel on your toe for up to 20 minutes every few hours
- wear wide, comfortable shoes with a low heel
- avoid walking around as much as possible
- strap up your broken toe – put a small piece of cotton wool or gauze between your sore toe and the toe next to it, then tape them together to support the sore toe
- Use the recommended Joint Pain product for the broken toe
If you have a broken toe do not
- strap up your toe if it’s pointing out at an odd angle or you have hurt your big toe – get medical advice
- put ice directly on your skin
- walk or stand for long periods
- wear tight, pointy shoes
- play any sports like football, rugby or hockey for 6 weeks or until the pain eases
- try to treat your child’s toe – take them to an urgent treatment centre or A&E
