Version July 2025
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What is a toe fracture? —
This is when a bone in the toe breaks (figure 1). A "fracture" is another word for a broken bone.
A toe fracture can happen if a person stubs their toe, the toe is bent to the side, or something drops on the toe.
When a bone breaks, it might crack, break all the way through, or shatter.
There are different types of fractures, depending on which bone breaks and how. Examples include:
●"Open" fracture – This is when the bone sticks out of the skin or can be seen through a wound.
●"Closed" fracture – This is when the bone does not stick out of the skin and cannot be seen through a wound.
●"Avulsion" fracture – This is when a person moves a joint forcefully, and a ligament or tendon stretches or tears. It can pull so hard on the bone a small part of the bone cracks or breaks off.
Compared with adults' bones, children's bones are more likely to bend or break only partway. Special kinds of fractures children can get include "growth plate" fractures. This is when the growing part of the bone near the end breaks, often where a ligament attaches to it.
What are the symptoms of a toe fracture? —
Symptoms depend on which bone breaks and the type of break. Common symptoms can include:
●Pain, swelling, or bruising over the area
●The toe looking abnormal, bent, or not the usual shape
●Not being able to move the toe
●Trouble walking or putting weight on that foot
●Numbness in the area of the broken bone
Is there a test for a toe fracture? —
Yes. The doctor or nurse will ask about your symptoms, do an exam, and take an X-ray.
They might also do other imaging tests, such as a CT, MRI, or ultrasound. These create pictures of the inside of the body.
How is a toe fracture treated? —
Treatment depends, in part, on the type of fracture and how serious it is. The goal is to have the ends of the broken bone line up with each other so the bone can heal.
If the ends of the broken bone are already in line with each other, toe fractures are usually treated with "buddy taping" (figure 2). This involves taping the injured toe to the toe next to it. In some cases, the doctor will have you wear a rigid shoe or walking boot, or put on a short-leg walking cast to limit toe movement.
If the ends of the broken bone are not in line with each other, the doctor will need to line them up:
●Sometimes, they can move the bone to the correct position without doing surgery, and then put a splint on or buddy tape your toe. This is called "closed fracture reduction."
●For more serious fractures, they might need to do surgery to put the bone back in the correct position. During surgery, they can use screws, pins, rods, or plates to fix the bone inside the body. This is called "open fracture reduction."
How long does a toe fracture take to heal? —
Most take weeks to months to heal. The doctor or nurse will talk to you about when to return to things like work, sports, or other activities.
Healing time also depends on the person. Healthy children usually heal much more quickly than older adults or adults with other medical problems.
How do I care for myself at home? —
To care for yourself or your child at home:
●Follow the doctor's instructions for buddy taping your toe. Put cotton or other soft material between your toes so they don't rub together (figure 2).
●Follow the doctor's instructions for wearing the rigid shoe, walking boot, or walking cast. This supports and protects the bone as it heals. Most people can put weight on their foot and walk around while wearing the rigid shoe, walking boot, or cast.
●Do not get a cast wet, unless the doctor says it is waterproof.
●Follow instructions for limiting activity and movement until the bone is healed. The doctor or nurse will tell you what activities are safe to do.
●Prop your injured foot on pillows, keeping it above the level of your heart. This might help lessen pain and swelling.
●The doctor might recommend you take an over-the-counter pain medicine. These include acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol), ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve).
●You might get a prescription for stronger pain medicines to take for a short time. Follow the instructions for taking these.
●Ice can help with pain and swelling – Put a cold gel pack, bag of ice, or bag of frozen vegetables on the injured area every 1 to 2 hours, for 15 minutes each time. Put a thin towel between the ice (or other cold object) and the rigid shoe, walking boot, or walking cast. Ice for at least 6 hours after an injury. It might help to ice longer, even up to 2 days.
●Eat a healthy diet that includes getting plenty of calcium, vitamin D, and protein (figure 3).
●Quit smoking, if you smoke. Your doctor or nurse can help. Broken bones take longer to heal if you smoke.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if:
●You have less feeling or movement in your toes or foot.
●Your toe gets swollen or starts to hurt more.
●Your skin gets red or irritated around the cast, or redness spreads up your foot.
●The cast feels too tight and uncomfortable, or your toes turn pale, blue, or gray.
●A bad smell or drainage is coming from the cast or splint.
●The cast feels too loose, or gets cracked or soft.
●The cast gets wet, and it is not supposed to get wet.
Patient education: Common toe injuries (The Basics)
Patient education: Fractures in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Fractures in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Setting a broken bone in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Setting a broken bone in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Surgery to fix a broken bone (The Basics)
Patient education: How to care for your cast (The Basics)
Patient education: How to care for your child's cast (The Basics)
Patient education: How to care for a splint (The Basics)
Patient education: How to use crutches (The Basics)
Patient education: How to use a walker (The Basics)
