Possible to walk on a broken foot?

Noragrets on 24/08/2016 - 07:47

Hey guys,
Kicked my pinky toe last night on a plank of solid wood stupidly placed in the lounge room (currently painting so stuff everywhere) anyway I dropped instantly. Screamed a little and hobbled off to get ice and lay down.
My toe doesn't hurt at all. It's more the bone from my toe to my ankle (metatarsal), and right under the base of my foot. Foot is numb but isn't any bruising and only a small amount of swelling.

I've had to take the day off work which is extremely frustrating, I can walk but only 5-10 steeps and then I need to sit while my whole foot throbs.

I was awake all night as any way I placed my foot was painful.

Basically I'm not crying, it's sore and I can do those 10 steps! What are the chances it's broken?

Not sure if I should just rest and keep icing or if I should hobble down to hospital or make an expensive app with my doctor.

Does anyone have experience with this and anyone know if it's more likely to be bruised ?

Thanks !

Health & Beauty

Comments

  • garetz on 24/08/2016 - 07:59

    Do you feel a sharp pain or dull throbbing pain when you stand/walk on it? Dull throbbing usually means its ligament/muscle damage, sharp pains mean bone fracture or break. If you get both pains, it could be bone and ligament damage. Its best to see a doctor and get a referral to a specialist. You will propably need a cast asap if there is a break, and that usually solves the problem unless there is bone fragments involved and the break isnt clean. Dont be an idiot like me and leave a bone break for 6 months before getting it checked, then require surgery instead of plaster.

  • Stewardo on 24/08/2016 - 08:07
    +3

    Go to a doctor and get an X-ray

  • djones145 on 24/08/2016 - 08:37
    +6

    d/l one of those free x ray apps and check ur toe out….

    mate like the guy says above, go to a doc and get x ray!

  • the-mal on 24/08/2016 - 08:37

    Feet are notoriously hard to diagnose without scans. So many bones, ligaments, muscles, tendons, fascia etc etc.

    Go to the doctor and they'll send you for a scan (either X-ray or MRI depending on the pain). If it's that painful it's obviously damaged something - so get it checked!!

    And don't ask Dr Google, it'll usually end up telling you you've got aids or cancer.

  • kolorijo on 24/08/2016 - 08:49
    +1

    It can be broken or fractured. Best to take a day off and go see a GP. If it's minor, I doubt that you will have to go to the hospital.

    Fractured my finger before and it was look after by my GP (not hospital).

  • Randxyz123 on 24/08/2016 - 09:07
    +1

    Sorry am I missing something here? Why wouldn't you go to the GP ? This is taking cheapness to a entirely new (sad) level.

    Get a friend to drive you or a uber to the hospital for god sakes don't get public transport. At the very least they'll be able to give you some pain killers.

    What is your job? Do you get sick leave??

  • spacemansam on 24/08/2016 - 09:49
    +1

    As a Physio who has seen plenty of broken toes, I'd err on the the side of caution and just get an xray. If there is a break they'll either put you in plaster or a moonboot which will put you on the right track to healing. Walking around with an undiagnosed foot fracture can significantly delay healing and result in long term pain.

  • Savas on 24/08/2016 - 10:06

    Developing an expensive app with your doctor sounds like a great idea to make money!

  • Mumbles on 24/08/2016 - 11:52
    +2

    My comments will be unpopular. Yes, its possible for small fractures to heal without intervention. Same for torn ligaments and tendons (though it takes MUCH longer than minor bone fractures). This is especially true for younger people who heal much quicker.

    If you are old or the swelling won't go down or the foot changes colour then you've no choice. See a GP immediately so they can refer you to a specialist or a physio who'll speed up the healing.

    You'll experience a lot of pain while healing because feet carry all your body weight and have to absorb large impacts. If pain causes you to walk funny it effects the posture of your back plus neck which could cause other muscles to be overworked.

    I'm not a medical specialist. Just a snowboarder who learned things the hard way.

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