Is it possible to sprain your toe

Be aware that it may also be the result of carrying heavy loads for extended periods of time or by not eating foods with enough Vitamin D or Calcium. If you are working with heavy objects, closed-toed shoes are essential in protecting your feet. When left untreated, you may end up with a deformed toe, chronic pain , or post-traumatic arthritis.

Left untreated, you may end up with painful bone spurs or a hammertoe. The critical difference between a broken and sprained toe is in the mobility of the toe. A broken toe will have little to no movement while a sprained toe will still have some mobility, although it may be painful. If a broken toe is left untreated, it can lead to problems that may affect your ability to walk and run. A poorly treated broken toe may also leave you in a lot of pain. Throbbing pain in the toe is the first sign that it may be broken.

You may also hear the bone break at the time of injury. A broken bone, also called a fracture, may also cause swelling at the break. Walking, or even just standing, can be painful. A bad break can also dislocate the toe, which can cause it to rest at an unnatural angle. It will still swell, but will likely have less bruising. A sprained toe may be painful for several days, but should then begin to improve. One other key difference between a break and a sprain is the location of the pain.

Usually a break will hurt right where the bone has fractured. With a sprain, the pain may be felt in a more general area around the toe. The only way to tell for sure if the injury is a break or a sprain is to see your doctor. They can examine your toe and determine the type of injury. The two most common causes of a broken toe are stubbing it into something hard or having something heavy land on it. A broken toe can usually be diagnosed with the use of an X-ray.

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This will help prevent the skin from getting moist and breaking down. Keep the buddy tape in place for at least 4 weeks, or as advised by your healthcare provider. You may use over-the-counter pain medicine to control pain, unless another pain medicine was prescribed. If you have chronic liver or kidney disease or ever had a stomach ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding, talk with your healthcare provider before using these medicines. Follow up with your with your healthcare provider as advised.

Bruises and sprains can sometimes hurt as much as a fracture. These injuries can take time to heal completely. You may need a repeat X-ray. If X-rays were taken, you will be told of any new findings that may affect your care. Was this helpful? Yes No Tell us more.