A member asked:

I kicked my toe on a stair and it is now swollen and blue / purple underneath. how would i know if it is broken or sprained?

Q: i kicked my toe on a stair and it is now swollen and blue / purple underneath. how would i know if it is broken or sprained?

: The blue/purple is bleeding under the skin. Only way to tell is with an x-ray

2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

Dr. Arnold Lentnek answered

The blue/purple is bleeding under the skin. Only way to tell is with an x-ray

Answered 3/10/2021

0 views

Thank

Dr. Kevin Watson answered

You would need an xray to know for sure. No way to tell by just appearance unless it is severely displaced.

Answered 4/8/2021

0 views

Thank

More of what we treat

Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

A member asked:

I kicked my toe on a stair and it is now swollen and blue / purple underneath. how would i know if it is broken or sprained?

2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

Dr. Arnold Lentnek answered

Dr. Kevin Watson answered

Related Questions

A member asked:

Good evening. I'm experiencing itchy, painful now swollen red and purple toes. Mostly in the cutical area its very painful?

A member asked:

I dropped a 60 pound log on my left big toe and now the nail is purple and the area just below the nail is red and swollen. is it broken?

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:

My big toe is swollen from a bug bite so i wrapped it. The tip of my toe that was sticking out of wrap is dark purple now. It is painful if touched?

A member asked:

My big toe is swollen from a bug bite so i wrapped it. The tip of my toe that was sticking out of wrap is dark purple now. Wis very painful if touched?

Sponsored Content

People also searched for:

I sprained my ankle and now my foot is swollen and purple. What should I do?

My right 5th toe was stepped on at footy 5 days ago; is still purple/swollen; and I'm limping. Is it a break/sprain, and how long will it take to heal?

I fell very hard late this afternoon. My big toe started swelling and excruciating pain immediately also started turning purple shortly after. Also feels like my ankle was sprained. Tie is swollen to highest limits and unable to touch toe. Fractured?

I hurt my ankle on Monday (Wed night now) by landing on the side of it in between two mats. heard a snap. not a pop. or a crack. it is still the size of a baseball, still black blue purple and red, and now the top of my foot is swollen. i still can not wa

I hit my pinky toe really hard & now it hurts and its all purple and swollen?

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?