A broken toe is a fracture in one of the small bones of the toe, often caused by dropping a heavy object on the foot or forcefully stubbing it. Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, and sometimes a clearly deformed appearance. While it may be tempting to continue normal activities, running with a broken toe is not recommended. The repeated impact places added stress on the injured bone, which can worsen pain, delay healing, and increase the risk of improper alignment. Even if discomfort seems manageable, continuing to run can prolong recovery time, which is typically about six weeks with proper care. Risk factors include sports activities and not wearing protective footwear. A podiatrist can evaluate the injury, provide stabilization, and guide safe healing. If you have broken your toe, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can offer effective treatment solutions, and guide you on an appropriate time frame to resume running.

Broken toes may cause a lot of pain and should be treated as soon as possible. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Afshin Javaherian, DPM from Dr. Java Foot & Ankle Clinic. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is a Broken Toe?

A broken toe occurs when one or more of the toe bones of the foot are broken after an injury. Injuries such as stubbing your toe or dropping a heavy object on it may cause a toe fracture.

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Swelling
• Pain (with/without wearing shoes)
• Stiffness
• Nail Injury

Although the injured toe should be monitored daily, it is especially important to have a podiatrist look at your toe if you have severe symptoms. Some of these symptoms include worsening or new pain that is not relieved with medication, sores, redness, or open wounds near the toe.

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

Broken toes occur when one or more of the small bones in the toes fracture due to trauma or excessive force. Common causes include a direct hit, such as stubbing the toe, or a hard object landing on it. Activities like dance or martial arts where shoes are not worn can also increase the risk of injury. Symptoms include pain, swelling, tenderness, difficulty walking, and discoloration where the toe may turn black and blue. Risk factors include high-impact activity, lack of wearing protective footwear, and previous injuries. A podiatrist can diagnose the fracture, provide stabilization, and guide proper healing. If you have broken your toe, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can offer appropriate treatment solutions.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Afshin Javaherian, DPM of Dr. Java Foot & Ankle Clinic. 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 contact our office located in Los Angeles, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.