Somehow, I managed to break a toe last night at karate. I remember doing something to it during warm ups (first 20 minutes of a 1hr class), but thought I'd just bumped it wrong so I continued with class (I'm always getting bruised in there! lol). By the end of class I could tell it was starting to swell on the bottom and when I put my shoes on it really started to hurt. A couple hours later it was very swollen and had lots of pretty colors, especially on the bottom and sides! This morning it's still swollen and bruised pretty bad. I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to train! I don't want to sit out of karate for 3-6 weeks for this to heal. My instructor will let me take it easy and will probably let me teach, so I'll have to talk to him. I don't know if I should see a doctor or not. Every other time I've broken toes (this is like the 4th or 5th time!) they haven't been able to do anything, anyway. Granted, I only went to the doc for one, but did call on a couple others. It's the second from the littlest. Boy, is it hard to walk! Should I try to tape it? I could see my chiroprator's husband (also a chiropractor--he specializes in sports injuries) and see what he suggests. I think for today I'm just going to try to stay off it. I only have two little boys besides my own and they're pretty good. Never a boring moment around here! lol

By Dana on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 08:11 am:

I doubt there is much to be done. From what I have heard, you just tape it to the other toes for support. I would definitely stay off as much as possible, keep icing it and not do any more karate for a while.

You poor thing. I stubbed 4 of my toes the other day climbing over the baby gate and they are still killing me.

By Yjja123 on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 08:50 am:

I broke my baby toe a year ago. It was very painful. I did tape it and that relieved some of the pain. My doctor said ice it and tape it. It took a long time to heal and I now have a bent toe. Good luck!

By Karen~admin on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 08:54 am:

Ditto Yvonne! I have broken my baby toe so many times, it bends all the way to the side! LOL Take some Advil for the pain and swelling, ice it, tape it....take it easy on your feet!! Hope you feel better soon!

By Tripletmom on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 02:18 pm:

Hope your're feeling better soon.Been there,done that.Ditto above with the rest,tape and advil.Little ketchup packs from the take outs make great ice packs for toes and little people

By Crystal915 on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 04:52 pm:

Geez, Cat, you're not having much luck lately! I hope you're feeling better soon. Everyone's right, not much you can do for a broken toe, except ice and rest. Take it easy, girl!

By Tayjar on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 05:11 pm:

Owwww! I can't imagine a broken toe. I had an ingrown toenail once and that turned me into a baby. I think I read somewhere that the best medicine for a broken toe is carry out and reservations

By Cocoabutter on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 05:14 pm:

I'm pretty sure my baby toe is broken. It went through a series of jabs last year. It just wouldn't stay away from the wall and from the chair legs... and now every time I bump it, I feel that familiar feeling that I got last year.

Good luck, Cat!

By Ginny~moderator on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 06:10 pm:

You're right, there's probably nothing they can do but tape it, but still, if you think you have a break, I think you ought to see some medical practitioner and maybe get an x-ray. Problem is, while you're probably right, you don't *know*. And then, figure out what you are going to do at Karate that doesn't put that toe/foot in the firing line. And maybe some extra taping while you're doing what you can do at Karate, for extra support/protection.

By Ginny~moderator on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 06:13 pm:

And yes, icing for 20 minutes out of each hour for a while - but do what the medical person says. It may be too late for icing, and heating may be better at this point to reduce the swelling. Plus, of course, anti-inflammatories. Remember - pain causes inflammation which causes pressure on nerves which causes pain which causes inflammation .... Pain meds/anti-inflammataories can break that cycle, but you need proper medical advice (which you are not going to get from me!)

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 07:22 pm:

If you came to my clinic, we would just tape it to the other one and possibly give you a post-op shoe to wear. Elevate, ice, and take the Advil.

Also, if it's that swollen and that many pretty colors, maybe you should get an xray, to make sure that is what's broken, like Ginny said.

Emily stumbled on the steps once and had a sore toe, but it didn't swell up that much, or turn that many colors. I just taped it up, and about a week later, she was fine. She probably just bruised it.

By Nicki on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 10:22 pm:

I'm so sorry about your toe! I have never had a broken a toe and can only imagine how much pain you must be in. Hope all the good advice will bring you some relief.

By Tink on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 11:52 pm:

Cat, I know most broken toes are no big deal but if this doesn't heal the way you think it should, go in for an x-ray. DH broke a toe, had it checked at the Urgent Care Center and then a shard rotated so it wouldn't heal correctly and he ended up going in for surgery. Major PITB but it never would have healed if he hadn't gone in to have it looked at again.

I think Tayjar's prescription sounds right on the money!

By Sandysmom on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 08:32 am:

I know there's not much that they do for broken toes, but they sure do hurt. I hope you feel better soon.

By Cat on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 10:09 am:

Thanx, everyone. Right now I'm just going to wait and see how it does. I will tape it for karate and take it easy. It is getting easier to walk on, but I think I'm just adjusting. lol My legs are both sore from walking differently. I have an appointment with my chiro Friday so she can adjust what I've messed up by walking funny. If it doesn't get better in a week or two or starts to get worse I'll see a doc.