Broken Toe

What is a Broken Toe (Fractured Phalange)?

A Broken Toe is more formally described as a Fractured Phalange. The foot is made up of 26 bones, 14 of which are called Phalanges. There are 3 Phalanges in each 'small toe', and 2 in the 'big toe'. A fracture to any of these bones is known as a Broken Toe.

Broken Toes usually occur because of direct trauma to the toe. This could include dropping objects onto the foot, or even stubbing your toe. The Big Toe (Hallux) can be vulnerable to stress fractures, especially in adolescent athletes. The most common fractures to occur are those of the 'little toe' (pinky) and the 'big toe', due to their location at the sides of the foot. Patients are often unaware of a fracture to the smaller toes.

Symptoms of a Broken Toe:

• Pain, which is instant in the case of a trauma fracture but more of a gradual onset with a stress fracture.
• Swelling on the affected toe.
• Bruising can also occur.
• For extreme fractures, the toe can appear deformed.

Treatment of a Broken Toe:

What can the athlete do?

• Apply the R.I.C.E. principle (Rest, Ice. Compression, Elevation)
• Seek a consultation with a doctor.

What can a sports injury specialist or doctor do?

• May refer the patient for an x-ray.
• For fractures of the smaller toes, there is often nothing that can be done and it will not disable the athlete for any considerable length of time.
• For fractures of the big toe, or some more complex fractures, the patient may be required to wear a walking boot to protect the foot for 2-4 weeks. Otherwise, they may 'buddy strap' the toe, where the fractured toe is taped to a neighbouring toe to immobilise it.

Please visit the Virtual Sports Injury Clinic for more information on how to treat a Broken Toe and other foot and toe injuries