Without going for an x-ray, how do you tell if a toe is broken?

Question

My bf dropped a large tv on his big toe and now it is purple and he didn't go to work today and is in a lot of pain. He won't take my advice about seeing a doctor.

Answer 1

STEP 1: Remove your shoe and sock, and feel for any deformity. Gently run your fingers up and down your toe. If your toe feels crooked or lumpy, it's more likely that it's broken than sprained. STEP 2: Wiggle your toe. Severe pain suggests the toe is broken. STEP 3: Listen to your toe while wiggling it. If you hear a grating or popping noise, a piece of broken toe bone may be rubbing against another piece of toe bone. STEP 4: Check for swelling. If your toe is puffed up double its size and the skin is stretched, you may have broken your toe. STEP 5: Compare your injured toe to the same toe on the other foot. If the injured toe looks shorter or deformed, it may be broken. STEP 6: Check your temperature. Within 2 to 3 hours after a bone breaks, the body's natural defense mechanisms kick in to raise your temperature. A fever above 99.6 degrees F suggests the toe is broken. STEP 7: Try to stand, but only for a minute. If your toe is broken, it isn't able to support your weight. A broken toe will tend to buckle up underneath you when you stand on it. Tips & Warnings
The only sure way to know if your toe is broken is to have it X-rayed.
Never try to "walk off" a broken toe. A piece of broken bone might rub against vital body tissues and cause permanent damage to ligaments or nerves.
If you experience two or more of the above symptoms, see your doctor or go to an emergency room for a toe X-ray.
If you have any questions or concerns, contact a physician or other health care professional before engaging in any activity related to health and diet. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

Answer 2

Well, with toes it doesn't really matter if it's broken or not- there isn't much you can do for them. There is only one major blood supply for each toe, and if it is broken or the bone is broken, the result is the same. It will get swollen and purple, and wearing a shoe is misery. Ibuprofen for the pain, elevation and ice on the toe/foot, and no shoe. A bag of frozen peas is great for molding around the foot and adding the cold- you decide after whether to eat them or not. You can try taping the toes together and wearing a hard sole shoe if you must, but going without a shoe for the next week will be the most comfortable. Eventually he will likely see the bruising extend up into the foot itself. If blood pools under the nail, you can use a heated paper clip to put a hole in the nail to release the blood underneath. If that is the case, releasing the blood under the nail will also greatly relieve the pain in the toe. Unfortunately, it hurts like ++++ no matter what you do, and will hurt for the next few weeks. It's open toe shoes, or hard soles with a very wide toe cap, until it heals- three to four weeks from now. Sorry, that's the ugly truth. My husband did the same thing, with a trunk, and wouldn't go either. Luckily, it's my profession, and I already knew what to do, and what was coming. Good luck, it's a miserable injury with no good cure.

Answer 3

It's probably broken, but there's not much a Dr. will do for him. The standard treatment for a broken toe is to tape it to the one next to it, put gauze under the tape so it doesn't stick to the skin too much. And have him take some Motrin for the pain. The pain will subside in a day or two, but a broken toe can take months to heal. I broke mine a few months back and it's still hurts if I barely bump it against something.

Answer 4

Since this is his big toe, the buddy taping doesn't really work. He should have it seen by a doctor.

As a simple test, can he wiggle that toe, or bend the joint? If the answer is no, then it's most likely broken. If the answer is yes, they it still may be broken, but the odds are less.

The big toe is the hardest to deal with, since it is such an important part of his balance. Tell him to pull his head out of his backside and have it checked.

Answer 5

Can he bend it ? If he tries to flex it, and it won't bend - it's probably broken.
If it continues to swell, turn more purple, or the pain starts to radiate up his foot or leg, make him go to the doctor.
There's not alot that can be done about broken toes, but it may need a splint or some sort of support to heal straight, and prevent problems later on.

Answer 6

You can"t diagnose a fracture without an x-ray (unless the bone is sticking out through the skin)

He should have it seen to, as it might need a pin to align the bones.

If he refuses, he should tape it to the next toe as a splint ("buddy taping")

Men!

Answer 7

If he cant move it without being in a severe amount of pain; I would suggest going to the hospital.

Answer 8

clairvoyance? I hope this isn't for a home care client