Your feet and toes contain a large number of nerves and a limited amount of cushioning so stubbing your toe can feel like a huge injury because a multitude of signals are being sent to your brain but the reality is that very little damage has been done. So stubbing your toe sends a lot of mixed signals.

The converse is also true: a stubbed toe may actually be broken so you should always consult with your foot care professional to get the proper diagnosis and recommendations for treatment.

Your toe could be broken. Symptoms of a broken toe include:

 Swelling, redness, and bruising

• Bleeding under the toenail
• You can’t put any weight on the toe

Interventions for a stubbed toe that might be broken include:

 Buddy taping–If you suspect your toe may be broken, you can tape it to the toe next door to help reduce movement and promote healing.

• Imaging studies–An X-ray or MRI may be needed to determine if there is an actual break in the bone. Severe breaks may need
• Rigid boot—wearing a special boot or shoe for immobilization while the healing process occurs is also an option.

If you stubbed your toe badly, seek treatment with your foot doctor right away to avoid complications. At Your Next Step, our team of board-certified podiatrists helps to diagnose and treat a variety of foot and ankle problems including sports injuries, joint pain, toe deformities, nail fungus, chronic tendon pain, and skin problems. Dr. Eric Ricefield, Dr. Mark Yagodich, and Dr. Aliza V. Eisen provide high-quality foot and ankle care to patients in the greater Philadelphia area. Contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment at our offices conveniently located in Ardmore, Paoli, Woodlyn, and Downingtown, PA.