If you suspect you have a broken toe, it is important to seek medical attention to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity of the injury. However, there are some things you can do at home to manage the pain and swelling while you wait for medical care:

• Rest: Stop doing any physical activity that causes pain, and keep your foot immobile whenever possible.
• Ice: Apply ice to the affected area for up to 20 minutes at a time, several times a day. Wrap the ice pack in a towel to prevent frostbite.
• Elevation: Keep your foot elevated as much as possible, especially during the first 2 days after the injury, to help control pain and swelling.
• Pain relief: Take over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) to manage pain.
• Buddy taping: For a simple fracture in any of the smaller toes, taping the injured toe to one next to it might be all thats needed. The uninjured toe acts like a splint. Putting gauze or felt between the toes before taping can prevent skin soreness.
• Footwear: Wear a shoe with a stiff sole to protect the injured toe and keep it stable. Avoid shoes that put pressure on the toe.

If the fracture is severe, especially if its in the big toe, proper healing might require a cast or even surgery to heal well. Most broken toes heal well, usually within 4 to 6 weeks. However, without appropriate medical treatment, broken toes may heal improperly and can cause chronic pain, arthritis of the toe joint, deformity of the toe or foot, movement restrictions, and difficulty walking or wearing shoes.