Take Your Stubbed Toe Seriously

There aren’t many things worse than the surprise and pain of stubbing a toe. A stubbed toe seems like a minor thing that most don’t give much thought to. By the very nature of the injury, you’re probably in the middle of doing something else when the accident occurs. Ignoring injuries that seem minor is a surefire way to end up with a more major condition. Hopefully you won’t be stubbing your toe anytime soon, but if you do, here are some signs of more serious injuries that you should keep an eye on.

Broken Toenail

A broken and bruised toenail doesn’t look very nice, but the consequences of leaving one unchecked can be more than superficial. Anytime your toenails become separated at a jagged, unnatural angle, you’re leaving yourself at risk of an ingrown toenail. Ingrown toenails can become infected and extremely painful. Diabetic patients should be especially cautious of ingrown toenails because the injury could lead to a wound.

Fractured Toe

A fractured toe is a lot different than a broken leg. Despite immense pain, you might find yourself capable of walking and resuming regular activity with a fractured toe. However, just because you can doesn’t mean you should. In order to heal properly, fractured toes need to be treated immediately. After stubbing your toe, you can spot a fracture by:

• Swelling

• Bruising

• Stiffness or inability to move the affected toe

Left untreated fractured toes can worsen to the point where they can only be treated through surgery. 

See Your Foot Doctor ASAP

For a good foot doctor, there’s no problem too big or too small. And it’s always better to check on what seems like a small problem before it becomes a big problem. If you’re located in Westfield, Indiana, or Hamilton County, let Dr. David R. Sullivan of Westfield Foot and Ankle take a look at your stubbed toe. He and his friendly staff can evaluate your toe and determine the best course of action. Make an appointment online or call (317) 896-6655 today.