How to Know if You Have a Broken Toe

Who doesn’t love a parade? Kick off the holidays by heading to the 65th annual Thanksgiving Day Parade in downtown Houston, starting at 9 am on November 27. Come see all the marching bands, floats, inflatables, community groups, and of course—Santa! Make sure you watch your step, though. If someone in the crowd accidently stomps on your foot, if you stub your toe on the curb, or worse—it gets run over by a float, you could end up with a broken toe. How will you know?

Pain in the toes will likely be your first clue. Other signs include swelling and bruising, and difficulty with walking. If these symptoms continue for more a day or two, and you’re having trouble wearing shoes, it’s best to make an appointment with Dr. Marco Vargas to determine the extent of the injury and prevent further damage.
If bones are out of alignment, we will manipulate them back into proper position—a process called reduction. To keep it there, the toe must be immobilized. This is done by “buddy taping,” meaning it is taped to its neighbor which acts as a splint. Gauze is typically placed between the toes to prevent skin irritation. In some cases, you may need to wear a walking boot or cast, and severe fractures may require surgery.

So go and enjoy the parade, but be careful! There’s nothing like a broken toe to ruin your holiday fun. For more information, or to have a toe or foot injury examined, contact Foot & Ankle Associates located in Sugar Land, TX. Just call 888-784-5335 today to set up an appointment. You can also keep in touch with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.