Broken Toe

Posted by nscappa @nscappa, Dec 30, 2023

Hello,
I believe I have a broken toe. My primary is trying to get me to go to urgent care or the emergency room for an X-ray. I have some constraints re getting rides to these places and I am wondering what they do for a broken toe. I have a friend who is a nurse and she told me that nothing can be done and that the toe has to heal on its own. I really need some advice please. Thanks!

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If the toe is out of alignment, you'll want a correction. While there isn't a great rush for you to get to emergency in that regard, those toes can be painful. You may want to ask for a lidocaine patch for the pain. I do like your primary's concern. If the toe is in alignment, there won't be much to do. They might soft brace it.
I'd wear sandals and wait for a convenient ride (not months, though). I'd probably order 4% lidocaine patches from Amazon because I'm sensitive (a wimp). Do be careful not to bump the toe meanwhile. And don't fall.
Not correcting a misaligned break can increase arthritis, but they take a while to heal.
best wishes

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Personally, I broke my big toe several years ago. I did not do anything except soak in epsom salt and I couldn't wear closed in shoes. It hurt like the dickens! Unless they have changed their protocol they basically do nothing or they may tape your toe. This was my experience with it. My toe stayed sore for a long time, so I was careful not to hit it on anything. I'm so sorry. It is painful. Praying for you.

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@gently

If the toe is out of alignment, you'll want a correction. While there isn't a great rush for you to get to emergency in that regard, those toes can be painful. You may want to ask for a lidocaine patch for the pain. I do like your primary's concern. If the toe is in alignment, there won't be much to do. They might soft brace it.
I'd wear sandals and wait for a convenient ride (not months, though). I'd probably order 4% lidocaine patches from Amazon because I'm sensitive (a wimp). Do be careful not to bump the toe meanwhile. And don't fall.
Not correcting a misaligned break can increase arthritis, but they take a while to heal.
best wishes

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Thanks so much for your response. It really doesn't hurt that much and, of course, I'm being extra careful. I went to Urgent Care today and they couldn't see me (too many ahead of me). Now wasn't that special! I spent $20.00 for nothing and thankfully the cab driver hadn't left the parking lot yet. It is a bit out of alignment but not severely. You're funny, you're a wimp. I'm unsure at this point what to do. It is swollen and red so even if I get an X-ray and they confirm that it's broken then what? I guess the only issue would be the alignment. I will wait a while and see. Thank you again for the helpful info. Nancy : )

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@covidstinks2023

Personally, I broke my big toe several years ago. I did not do anything except soak in epsom salt and I couldn't wear closed in shoes. It hurt like the dickens! Unless they have changed their protocol they basically do nothing or they may tape your toe. This was my experience with it. My toe stayed sore for a long time, so I was careful not to hit it on anything. I'm so sorry. It is painful. Praying for you.

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I think I replied to your comment but I think I lost it somehow or maybe you did get it. Thank you so much for your information and I do not have much pain unless I whack it again. : ) It's a bit out alignment but not very much. I did get shoes on today and that was good. I went to Urgent Care today but they couldn't take me so that taxi was for nothing even though the driver was a character and funny. He was still in the parking lot just turning the taxi so I hailed him down (thankfully) and he took me home. Oh, I also lost my crown so off to the dentist I must go. I wonder what 2024 has in store for me. I also broke my foot about 2 months ago and wore that lovely huge and ugly boot. I have never broken anything in my 76 years so I'm off to a good start. Thanks again! Happy New Year! Nancy : )

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@nscappa

I think I replied to your comment but I think I lost it somehow or maybe you did get it. Thank you so much for your information and I do not have much pain unless I whack it again. : ) It's a bit out alignment but not very much. I did get shoes on today and that was good. I went to Urgent Care today but they couldn't take me so that taxi was for nothing even though the driver was a character and funny. He was still in the parking lot just turning the taxi so I hailed him down (thankfully) and he took me home. Oh, I also lost my crown so off to the dentist I must go. I wonder what 2024 has in store for me. I also broke my foot about 2 months ago and wore that lovely huge and ugly boot. I have never broken anything in my 76 years so I'm off to a good start. Thanks again! Happy New Year! Nancy : )

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Well, Nancy, you could have called the "Toe" (Tow) Truck! Yes, pun intended. Bless you sweet lady. I pray 2024 is full of many blessings for you! Hugs.....

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You are too sweet. Have a wonderful healthy and happy New Year! Nancy : )

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@nscappa Which toe did you break? I have broken my smallest (little toe) on both feet and both healed OK by "buddy taping" the little toe to the toe next to it. I wore a stiff soled shoe (not a sandal) which also helped to support the little toe.

Mayo Clinic- Broken Toe:

-- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/broken-toe/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20370468

I broke the second toe on one foot a year ago. I went to a podiatrist who took X-rays, straightened the toe, and put me in a surgical shoe for about 6 weeks. Unfortunately that toe healed crooked because I found out later from another podiatrist I consulted that there were two fractures in the toe I broke. That's why it healed crooked. By then it was too late to do much of anything. I can tell you a year later that the toe still aches on occasion and it affects my walking gait.

Depending on the toe you broke you may want to see a provider. If it's the big toe, second or third toes then schedule yourself with a good podiatrist. Medicare covers the consult, and X-rays. It did not cover the surgical shoe. (I have Traditional Medicare, Parts A, B, and supplemental Part G). Those first three toes on your foot affect your walking gait. The last two toes won't affect your gait so much according to my primary care physician.

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Thank you so much for all the important information. I broke the toe next to my baby toe. It is red and a bit swollen and it is a bit crooked but I was able to wear a shoe. Urgent Care couldn't fit me in so I came home. I really don't know what to do next. I have heard so many different things. I thought maybe getting something to keep them together. My primary wants me to get an X-ray and I did try yesterday with no luck. If I go to the emergency room I might have to wait hours. I can't believe this. I broke my foot about 2 months ago and now a toe! I'll give it a couple of more days and see what is what. It really doesn't hurt much at all and I'm being so very careful. Again, thank you again for all the information I appreciate it very much. You have given me some info that I didn't get. Happy New Year with more peace and love. Nancy : )

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@nscappa

Thank you so much for all the important information. I broke the toe next to my baby toe. It is red and a bit swollen and it is a bit crooked but I was able to wear a shoe. Urgent Care couldn't fit me in so I came home. I really don't know what to do next. I have heard so many different things. I thought maybe getting something to keep them together. My primary wants me to get an X-ray and I did try yesterday with no luck. If I go to the emergency room I might have to wait hours. I can't believe this. I broke my foot about 2 months ago and now a toe! I'll give it a couple of more days and see what is what. It really doesn't hurt much at all and I'm being so very careful. Again, thank you again for all the information I appreciate it very much. You have given me some info that I didn't get. Happy New Year with more peace and love. Nancy : )

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@nscappa Happy New Year to you, Nancy. I hope your toe heals well.

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Thank you so much and Happy New Year to you and yours. : )

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