Buddy taping can be used on most toe injuries, even stress or hairline fractures, although more serious fractures typically need casting or surgery. [3] X Research source See your doctor right away if your toe is pointing the wrong direction, extremely painful, or swelling to the point of becoming numb. [4] X Expert Source Mark Co, DPMPodiatrist Expert Interview. 21 April 2020. Small hairline fractures, bone chips, contusions (bruises), and joint sprains are not considered serious problems, but severely crushed toes (mangled and bleeding) or displaced compound fractures (bleeding with bone sticking out of the skin) require immediate medical intervention, especially if the big toe is involved.
If your fourth toe is injured, tape it to the third toe instead of the fifth because they are more equal in size and length. Don’t buddy tape an injured toe if you have diabetes or peripheral arterial disease because any reduction in blood circulation from taping it too tight significantly increases the risk of necrosis (tissue death). [5] X Research source
Don’t use so much tape that you can’t fit your foot into your shoes. Furthermore, too much tape promotes overheating and perspiration. Materials used for binding toes include medical / surgical paper tape, self-adherent wrap, electricians tape, small Velcro wraps and rubber bandages. [7] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source To provide a little more support, which is certainly beneficial for dislocated toes, you can use a wooden or metal splint along with the tape. For toes, popsicle sticks work well, just make sure there are no sharp edges or splinters that can dig into the skin.
Signs of a skin infection include local swelling, redness, throbbing pain, and discharge of pus. Your injured toe, depending on the severity of the injury, may need to be buddy-taped for up to four weeks to properly heal, so you’ll likely become very experienced at re-taping it. If your injured toe hurts more after re-taping it, then remove the tape and start over, but make sure the tape or wrap is a little looser.
People with diabetes have much less feeling in their toes and feet, and tend to have poor circulation, which is why they should avoid buddy taping toe injuries. If necrosis does occur in the toes, then amputation surgery is needed to remove them so infection doesn’t spread to the rest of the foot or leg. If you experienced an open compound fracture, your doctor may recommend a precautionary two-week course of oral antibiotics to deter a bacterial infection.
Common symptoms of a broken toe include: intense sharp pain, swelling, stiffness, and usually immediate bruising due to internal bleeding. Walking is difficult, and running or jumping is nearly impossible without excruciating pain. You may also see your toe pointing a different direction than normal. [10] X Expert Source Mark Co, DPMPodiatrist Expert Interview. 21 April 2020. Broken toes can be related to conditions that weaken bone, such as bone cancer, bone infections, osteoporosis or chronic diabetes. [11] X Research source Your toe may not appear displaced even if it’s broken. The only way to tell whether your toe is broken or sprained is by getting an X-ray done, so if you’ve injured your toe, you should see a doctor. [12] X Expert Source Mark Co, DPMPodiatrist Expert Interview. 21 April 2020.
Supportive open-toed sandals can be used if the swelling in your toe is excessive, but remember that they don’t offer any protection, so wear them with caution. If you work in construction, or as a firefighter, police officer or landscaper, consider wearing steel-toed boots for added protection until your toe completely heals.
