Toe...

[LoveMe_HateMe]

I fell down the stairs two nights ago and caught my big toe on the way down and now it's all purple and I'm struggling to walk on it and it's causing my ankle to swell up again, making it even harder time walk properly. I don't know what time did about it, one person has said go to hospital and someone else has said go to the doctors.... Someone's also said that they think it could be broken... but I don't know. What does a broken toe look/feel like? Because I can touch it and it doesn't really hurt, it tickles more than hurts and when I bend it, it just feels tight and bruised... I can kind of put weight on it... just not all my weight...

I just have no idea what to do, but I'm sat in bed and it's starting to hurt quite bad...

I know this may sound weird but I don't know, a bit of advice never hurt anyone...

Hospital or just wait it out? Feel like hospital is a little extreme.... (but then I hate hospitals anyway so it doesn't help...)

[ackmedsgirl666]

you probably just sprained it
just keep an eye on it and if the pain gets any worse where you cant walk at all then a trip to the hospital would be your best bet

[MickeyMouse13]

I think that you should go to hospital, it may just be strained or sprained, or it could be a break, the only really definitive way is to get an x-ray, or have a doctor to say. There are signs like swelling and bruising around the bone, aswell as a grinding noise when moving... All breaks are different, like my friend who walked round on a broken angle all day... Even if it is a break, you usually can't do much for a toe, other than strap it up and wait for it to heel by its self.
To help with the pain and swelling you should try, resting your foot, put an ice pack, or something cold on it, sit comfortably, ( compressing your toe isn't reccomcended anymore), also elevate your toe with a cushion or something... But definitely get to a walk in center or A&E! :)

[Josiah7]

I think that you should go to hospital, it may just be strained or sprained, or it could be a break, the only really definitive way is to get an x-ray, or have a doctor to say. There are signs like swelling and bruising around the bone, aswell as a grinding noise when moving... All breaks are different, like my friend who walked round on a broken angle all day... Even if it is a break, you usually can't do much for a toe, other than strap it up and wait for it to heel by its self.
To help with the pain and swelling you should try, resting your foot, put an ice pack, or something cold on it, sit comfortably, ( compressing your toe isn't reccomcended anymore), also elevate your toe with a cushion or something... But definitely get to a walk in center or A&E! :)

He pretty much summed it up. There are a lot of little bones in your feet, and quite easy to break. I would just keep it elevated, cold compress every 2 hours and see how it is in 72 hours. A inside tip, if there is any significant pain when applying cold to an injury, usually indicates a break of some sort. Avoid all alcohol, hot baths/showers, massage and weight bearing for at least 72 hours. Don't stop complete movement, but don't go running any marathons. See a doctor if no improvement.