Question 1

how do i know if i sprained or broke my big toe?

Accepted Answer

Bruising & swelling: Usually with a break, there is bleeding from the bone which leads to swelling and bruising to the toe and surrounding area.  This is not always the case, but when i see this, i always take an x-ray to see.  There is some degree of pain when the toe is moved at the site of the injury.

Question 2

im not sure if i badly jammed, sprained or strained my big toe. can you help me figure out what i did to it and how to fix it ?

Accepted Answer

Big toe: Ice it. Elevate it when sitting. Tape it to the next toe for support. Wear comfortable footwear. Even if the toe is fractured, there is no other treatment.

Question 3

i sprained my left big toe. is it safe for me to start competitive tumbling? back handsprings, airal  cartwheels.

Accepted Answer

Depends: It all depends on the severity of the sprain, treatment, and the length of recovery so far.If most of the swelling is gone and you can move it freely, there is not severe pain with range of motion, and you are sure that there is no other damage to the bone or tendons, then you should be fine resuming her activities. Good luck!

Question 4

difference between sprained big toe and broken big toe?

Accepted Answer

Bone break: Strain refers to soft tissue derangement (tendon, ligament, and or muscle,  while fracture means the bone has been broken. The break does NOT need to be separated, as a crack,in the bone is still a break, as is separating a tendon attached to bone.

Question 5

i hurt my big toe on friday and not sure whether it is sprained or broken. how do i know whether i should go have an x-ray taken?

Accepted Answer

Yes: If there is any risk that you have a fracture you should go to the hospital for an x-ray.
Have a healthy diet, exercise 30 minutes/day, drink plenty of water, have safe sex, no tobacco alcohol weed or street drugs. For nutrition: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/.
Get HPV vaccine. Wish you good health!

Question 6

my right big toe has been hurting lately. i don't know what would have caused it. could i have sprained it? it hurts to stand on it or bend it. no swe

Accepted Answer

Possibilities: of causes of monoarticular arthritis are unrecognized injury, gout, pseudogout, or GC.  Get to a doctor for accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.

Question 7

what would cause m y "knuckle" on my big toe to hurt and swell like it was broken or sprained when i had no previous trauma?

Accepted Answer

Gout: Deposition of the uric acid crystals in the joint cause swelling and pain. See your doctor . In the mean time take aleve (naproxen) or advil.

Question 8

i hurt my big toe playing volleyball. its been a week and its not getting better. could it be sprained or cracked? how can i tell?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Yes, you could certainly have injured the soft tissues of the toe or even sustained a fracture.  An exam and possibly an X-ray would be the best way to really tell the specific nature of the injury.

Question 9

sprained" my big toe 2 months ago in soccer, and it instantly turned black and blue. toe is still swollen and painful in spots. is this normal?

Accepted Answer

Not normal: Bruising may be from a break in the bone or  a torn joint capsule of the great toe. Have it at least x-rayed. An MRI may be required. Ice, rest 
anti -inflammatories until those studies are completed

Question 10

i sprained my big toe 3 months ago, stayed off of it for 4 weeks, now it bruises very easily with sharp pain anytime i do physical activity, concerns?

Accepted Answer

Doesn't sound right: See foot doc, have xrays and clinical exam. The may be occult injury and during clinical exam doc may decide they want MRI...

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Doctor answers about:

How to diagnose a big toe sprain

A member asked:

How do i know if i sprained or broke my big toe?

A member asked:

Im not sure if i badly jammed, sprained or strained my big toe. can you help me figure out what i did to it and how to fix it ?

A member asked:

I sprained my left big toe. is it safe for me to start competitive tumbling? back handsprings, airal cartwheels.

A member asked:

Difference between sprained big toe and broken big toe?

A member asked:

I hurt my big toe on friday and not sure whether it is sprained or broken. how do i know whether i should go have an x-ray taken?

A member asked:

My right big toe has been hurting lately. i don't know what would have caused it. could i have sprained it? it hurts to stand on it or bend it. no swe

A member asked:

What would cause m y "knuckle" on my big toe to hurt and swell like it was broken or sprained when i had no previous trauma?

A member asked:

I hurt my big toe playing volleyball. its been a week and its not getting better. could it be sprained or cracked? how can i tell?

A member asked:

Sprained" my big toe 2 months ago in soccer, and it instantly turned black and blue. toe is still swollen and painful in spots. is this normal?

A member asked:

I sprained my big toe 3 months ago, stayed off of it for 4 weeks, now it bruises very easily with sharp pain anytime i do physical activity, concerns?

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