If you have a broken toe, you can usually still walk and not be in too much pain. A broken foot will be overwhelmingly painful to walk on. Boots will often mask the pain of a break by providing a degree of support; removing them after a suspected fracture is the best way to diagnose the injury.

If you cannot get your shoes and socks off, even with the assistance of someone else, you should go to the nearest emergency room or call 911. Your foot is likely broken and requires immediate medical care. Cut the boot and sock off before swelling damages the foot. Typically if you break your foot, there’s some type of trauma that goes along with that. For instance, you might have smashed it or stubbed your toe. However, a stress fracture is caused by a repetitive action like playing sports or even walking. [3] X Expert Source Neal Blitz, DPM, FACFASBoard Certified Podiatrist Expert Interview. 22 April 2020.

If you have a significant break, broken blood vessels will cause bruising around the area. [5] X Expert Source Neal Blitz, DPM, FACFASBoard Certified Podiatrist Expert Interview. 22 April 2020. Swelling is normal for most injuries. However, if you have a severe fracture, the swelling might be so bad that it leads to blisters on your skin, because the fluid doesn’t have anywhere to go. [6] X Expert Source Neal Blitz, DPM, FACFASBoard Certified Podiatrist Expert Interview. 22 April 2020.

If you see any bones sticking out through the skin, you have an open fracture. Seek emergency medical care, as this can quickly lead to an injury. [8] X Expert Source Neal Blitz, DPM, FACFASBoard Certified Podiatrist Expert Interview. 22 April 2020.

If someone is able to drive you to the emergency room, you should try to stabilize your foot so it is secure while you are in the car and does not move around. Use a pillow and slide it under your foot. Secure it with tape or tie it to your foot so it helps your foot to stay upright. Try to keep your foot elevated as you travel; sit in the back seat to elevate your foot if you can.

If your foot is broken, you may feel pain when the doctor presses on the base of your baby toe and at the mid-foot. You may also be unable to take four or less steps without assistance or without significant pain.

However, even with an X-ray it can be difficult to determine if your foot is broken as swelling can obscure the fine bones in the foot. Using an X-ray, the doctor may be able to identify which bones in your foot are broken and how they can be treated.

If you have broken your heel or fractured your heel, you may require surgery. As well, if you have broken your talus, which is the bone that attaches your foot to your leg, you may require surgery. But if you fractured your little toe or other toes, you likely do not require surgery.

If you have a broken toe or toes, your broken toe may be taped to its neighboring toe to keep it from moving. You should put no weight on your broken toe and give it six to eight weeks to heal fully.

Icing your foot can also reduce swelling, especially if it is in bandages, not a cast. Apply the ice for 10 minutes at a time, reapplying every hour for the first 10 – 12 hours of the injury.