Toe Fractures Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Options

The information on this page refers to all toes except for the great toe.

Toes are made up of three bones, called phalanges, with the exception of the great toe, which has only two. Because our toes are typically very active throughout our lives in walking, jumping, stretching, and all kinds of movement, it is very common to break one.

One or more of the three phalanges in the toe can fracture, resulting in an injury that is painful but does not usually require surgical intervention in order to heal properly. Nonetheless, some more  cases, especially if they involve multiple toes, should be treated with an operation, as they can cause long-term complications that impact quality of life and athletic performance if left unchecked.

A fracture can occur in any of the toes due trauma, such as a forceful impact (i.e., stubbing your toe), or if a heavy object is dropped on the toe. Fractures can be simple cracks in the bone (non-displaced), or completely separated or angled  bone fragments (displaced fractures).

Toe fractures are a common occurrence in many sports, particularly activities with high impact on the feet, such as sprinting, jumping, or kicking. One example is the dancer’s fracture, in which a rolling or twisting ankle movement can break a phalange of the small toe.

Repetitive impact on the toes may not immediately result in significant pain, but can weaken the phalanges, causing tiny hairline fractures known as ‘stress fractures’. You may even find yourself experiencing the pain from stress fractures long after ceasing the aggravating activity.

Toe fractures most commonly occur in the following sports:

• Track and field
• Football
• Basketball
• Soccer
• Running
• Dance
• Gymnastics
• Wrestling

The typical signs of a toe fracture include:

• Pain
• Deformity
• Swelling
• Bruising or discoloration
• Loss of sensation

Contact your physician if you are experiencing particularly bad pain, swelling, or deformity, especially if it lasts more than a few days. As part of the diagnostic process, your doctor may run imaging tests such as:

• X-Ray
• CT Scan

The majority of toe fractures can be treated without surgery, using the following techniques:

• Rest
• Buddy taping the broken toe to a healthy one for support
• Applying ice
• Elevating the affected foot above your head
• Non-steroidal painkillers and anti-inflammatories

Special supportive footwear may also be employed, such as an open-toe shoe or wider-than-usual shoe, which will reduce stress on the broken toe.

Try these exercises to help address your condition:

Below is a PDF of the Exercise Program

Toe Fracture

Surgical intervention is rare but may be necessary in the case of severe deformity or multiple toe fractures. The surgeon may use pins, plates, or screws to keep the affected toe in place and prescribe a cast to assist in your recovery.

Recovery from toe fractures is usually very quick, lasting around three weeks, or up to six weeks if surgical intervention was required. You might have to wear a stiff-toe shoe or walking boot for a certain period, depending on your doctor’s recommendation.

Care must be taken with athletic activity. You can return to play when you have recovered the full range of motion and strength in the affected area without any pain.