How can you tell if a broken toe is healing?

Question

Me, with the broken toe questions again! I broke my little toe about a week and a half ago. The swelling is gone and I'm no longer taking ibuprofen, but it still hurts a little and feels lumpy. Basically, doctors tell you to do exercises that don't cause pain...however, my little toe still feels like it's being smooshed into an athletic shoe when I put it on, and I walk with a slightly more pronounced limp when I have sneakers on, but I can do the stationary bike with only minor twinges every now and then (no mind-blowing pain.) The problem is that I'm still limping slightly worse after I work out, but it usually goes away after a couple of hours. How can I tell if I'm reinjuring it or making it worse instead of better?

Answer 1

Hi..

I broke my baby toe a few years back ...I did it on a closet door....ouch

some tips and strategies that work for me...

1. wear flip flops or an open toe sandal/shoe, if theis can't be done..buy a pair of cheap canvas sneakers and cut a hole in the side to releave the pressure on your toe (if indeed it is your small toe).

2. Tape your broken toe to the toe next to it. This gives it support. The Dr. may have set it..or realligned it to its correct position. Make sure it stays straight. Or it may begin to have a bunion bump on it.

3. I massaged my toe with ice when it hurt or became red and swollen. This took away most of the pain. I also massaged the bump with lotion and a frozen cup of ice (put water in a paper cup and freeze..then peel the cup down as you massage it..not so messy)..

4. Try to stay off it as much as possible until it feels better. Elevate if it is swollen.

*To answer your question...mine hurt for a while after it..about 3 months actually....I did exercises mostly sitting down...ride an exercise bike with flip flops....don't put any undue pressure on your toe..or you can reinjure it...you may have also hurt the ligaments in your toe....things to think about...it also could be bruised...

Continue to take mortin or Ib for pain...this means that there is still inflamation usually if there is pain..and this will relieve it and give it a speedy recovery. I would take it 8 hours a part..At least that is what I did...I also continued to wrap it..until I no longer needed the meds...that is how i could tell that it was better.

I still have a small bump on mine..and i apply lotion to it frequently..so that it doenst look like a corn or calluse...

good luck with it...

hope you feel better soon!

Answer 2

If the swelling is going down, then its healing. When you don't notice it anymore you'll know its healed