injuries and poisoning
Toe Fractures
Introduction
Any toe and any part of a toe can be fractured. The fractured toe is usually painful, swollen, and tender, and the nail may be discolored. Doctors can often diagnose a toe fracture based on a physical examination. Treatment usually consists of taping the fractured toe to the toe next to it (called buddy taping), but if the toe appears abnormally bent, the broken pieces of bone must be put back in place (reduced). Toes can break when people drop a heavy object on them or when people stub their toe. (See also Overview of Fractures .) 