Prolonged repetitive movements can cause a type of broken toe called a stress or hairline fracture. Symptoms of a broken toe include
pain, swelling, stiffness, bruising, deformity, and difficultly walking
.
Can a hairline fracture heal on its own?
The majority of hairline fractures
will heal by themselves if the person refrains from activities that put a strain on the affected area
. For the first 24 to 48 hours, a person can help the healing process by elevating the affected area and applying ice where possible.
What does a hairline toe fracture feel like?
They can be hard to notice, but
a dull pain often develops over time
. Feelings of pain from light to moderate pressure can indicate a hairline fracture. Pain may be reduced using common painkillers, such as paracetamol.
How do you treat a hairline fracture in your toe?
- Rest. Avoid activities that put weight on your foot. …
- Ice. Apply ice immediately after the injury to keep the swelling down. …
- Compression. To prevent additional swelling, lightly wrap the area in a soft bandage.
- Elevation. As often as possible, rest with your foot raised up higher than your heart.
Can you walk with a hairline fracture in your foot?
Doctors do not recommend walking
when you have a stress fracture because it may reopen the partially healed fracture, and you may have to begin the recovery process again. Although you can walk, doctors would recommend staying away from hard surfaces and not walking long distances.
What does a fractured toe look like?
Bruises or discoloration of the skin around the toe
. The toe may appear abnormal, and may even look bent or deformed if the broken bone is out of place. Difficulty and pain when walking, especially if the big toe is fractured. Shoes may be painful to wear or feel tight.
Can you walk on a fractured toe?
With a walking cast,
you should be able to walk and resume most non-strenuous activities within a week or two after
injuring your toe. The pain should diminish gradually if the bone is healing properly. If you feel any pain in your broken toe, stop the activity that’s causing the pain and tell your doctor.
What happens if a fracture is left untreated?
When a bone fracture is untreated, it can
result in either a nonunion or a delayed union
. In the former case, the bone doesn’t heal at all, which means that it will remain broken. As a result, swelling, tenderness, and pain will continue to worsen over time.
What happens if a stress fracture is left untreated?
The most common symptom of a stress fracture is pain. Left untreated, stress fractures
often increase in severity until the pain becomes disabling
. Over time, a bone with an untreated stress fracture may break completely, requiring more extensive treatment.
Do hairline fractures show up on xray?
X-ray:
Hairline fractures often aren’t visible on X-rays immediately after the injury
. The fracture may become visible a few weeks after the injury takes place, when a callus has formed around the healing area. Bone scan: A bone scan involves receiving a small dose of radioactive material through a vein.
What is the fastest way to heal a hairline fracture?
- Apply ice and take pain medications to control symptoms.
- Use a cast or splint to protect the stress fracture site.
- Start partial weight bearing only when pain free.
- Increase your activity to avoid recurrence of fracture.
Do stress fractures hurt more at night?
What are the symptoms of a stress fracture? Pain is usually felt over the injured area and tends to develop over a few weeks. It is typically worse when putting weight on the injured area and better when resting. As it gets worse,
the pain can start to be present when at rest and at night
.
Do hairline fractures require a cast?
Treatment for a hairline fracture looks different than that of a more severe fracture.
You likely won’t need a cast
, but the doctor may recommend that you wear a brace to keep your arm immobile. You should also rest your arm and use ice to control the pain.
What happens if you leave a broken toe untreated?
You’re at increased risk of developing a bone infection if you have diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or a compromised or weakened immune system. Symptoms that suggest your toe has developed a bone infection include: Fatigue. Fever.
Can you break your toe by stubbing it?
Stubbing a toe can even cause breaks, sprains, broken nails, and infections
. The pain of a stubbed toe usually subsides after a few minutes. In some cases, however, the impact could break the toe or the toenail, causing intense pain that may get worse over hours or days.
Should I go to the doctor for a broken toe?
If you think you broke your toe, it’s best to
have your doctor look at it
. Even though you can often treat it yourself, a broken toe can sometimes lead to more serious problems, like infection, arthritis, or long-term foot pain.
