What Is a Broken Toe?
A broken toe is usually recognized immediately by severe pain and a cracking or popping sound that is heard as a small bone in the toe fractures. Most broken toes are the result of dropping something heavy on the toe. But a missed step, a stubbed toe or aggravated stress fractures from repeated impact on a hard surface may also result in a fractured toe. Signs and Symptoms of a Broken Toe When a bone in the toes break, pain is immediate and usually quite intense. The affected toe will swell and bruise. And if the break is traumatic, the toe may look crooked or deformed. Typically a broken toe results in the inability to walk normally and pain with walking or putting on shoes. When To See a Doctor for Toe Pain Any traumatic toe injury or crushing toe injury should be seen by a physician. If you have any numbness or tingling, an open wound or bleeding, you should seek medical attentio