A broken toe occurs when the bones in the toe fracture due to trauma, such as stubbing it forcefully or dropping a heavy object on the foot. Symptoms of a broken toe include sharp, throbbing pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty walking or bearing weight. Severe injuries may cause the toe to appear dislocated or sit at an unnatural angle. While it can be difficult to distinguish a break from a sprain, pain localized at the fracture site and significant bruising are common signs of a break. A podiatrist can accurately diagnose the injury, often using X-rays, and provide treatment to support proper healing. This may involve stabilizing the toe through techniques like buddy taping or using specialized footwear to limit movement. In severe cases, a podiatrist may recommend surgery to realign the bones and prevent long-term complications, such as arthritis or chronic pain. If you have a broken toe, it is suggested that you promptly schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam and treatment.

A broken toe can be very painful and lead to complications if not properly fixed. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Afsha Naimat-Shahzad, DPM from Leander Foot & Ankle. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What to Know About a Broken Toe

Although most people try to avoid foot trauma such as banging, stubbing, or dropping heavy objects on their feet, the unfortunate fact is that it is a common occurrence. Given the fact that toes are positioned in front of the feet, they typically sustain the brunt of such trauma. When trauma occurs to a toe, the result can be a painful break (fracture).

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Throbbing pain
• Swelling
• Bruising on the skin and toenail
• The inability to move the toe
• Toe appears crooked or disfigured
• Tingling or numbness in the toe

Generally, it is best to stay off of the injured toe with the affected foot elevated.

Severe toe fractures may be treated with a splint, cast, and in some cases, minor surgery. Due to its position and the pressure it endures with daily activity, future complications can occur if the big toe is not properly treated.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Leander, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Pain in the second toe can arise from less commonly recognized conditions that require professional evaluation. Capsulitis, for instance, involves inflammation of the ligament capsule at the base of the toe. This may be due to improper foot mechanics or excessive pressure on the ball of the foot, and can cause a sensation similar to walking on a marble. Morton’s neuroma, typically associated with the third and fourth toes, can also affect the second toe due to nerve tissue thickening, causing burning pain or numbness. Additionally, structural abnormalities like Morton’s toe, where the second toe is longer than the big toe, can lead to misalignment and strain. Bunions or arthritis in adjacent joints may radiate discomfort to the second toe. A podiatrist can assess these underlying issues to determine the proper treatment. If you have pain in your second toe, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and effective treatment solutions.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Afsha Naimat-Shahzad, DPM of Leander Foot & Ankle. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Trauma
• Sports injury
• Wearing shoes that are too tight
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Corns and calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Blisters
• Ingrown toenails
• Sprains
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

• Severe pain
• Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
• Signs of infection
• Continued swelling
• Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Leander, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

A partial plantar plate tear is a common injury among runners, caused by repetitive stress and strain on the ligament beneath the ball of the foot. This thick structure helps stabilize the toes, but the high-impact nature of running, especially on hard surfaces or with improper form, can lead to overuse and small tears. Wearing worn-out or unsupportive running shoes can also increase the risk. Runners often notice pain under the ball of the foot, swelling, and a feeling of instability in the second or third toe. The discomfort may worsen with continued activity, making it difficult to maintain training routines. Early diagnosis is essential to prevent worsening. A podiatrist can confirm the injury through a physical exam, imaging, or ultrasound. Treatment ranges from rest, wearing supportive footwear, and orthotics to immobilization, or, in severe cases, surgery. If you have symptoms as described, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Afsha Naimat-Shahzad, DPM of Leander Foot & Ankle. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

• Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
• Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
• “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
• Cross-Training is Crucial
• Wear Proper Running Shoes
• Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Leander, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.