The internets are being typically vague about whether one needs to visit a doctor if one is unable to walk very far after a disagreement with a concrete step, so I thought I'd seek words of experience from people I trust on the, er, internets...
Can a doctor actually do anything? Is it worth the expense? Am I likely to be able to be able to leave the house at all over the weekend, given that a 30 yard walk to the bus stop made me cry like a small child this morning? Is a broken toe like a piece of string? Am I just a big wuss?
They hurt like mad but in my experience the doctor just straps the toe to the next toe to give it some support. It helps if you use a stick to walk with though - my sympathy. Little things that hurt a lot are so frustrating besides being painful. One likes to have something to show for ones agony.
Agree with Longbyt - a doctor won't do anything that you can't do at home. Ice to reduce the swelling is good. Recovery time is frustratingly slow (probably because I didn't go to the doctor....) I heard a rumour that a Pedigree footbath can help as well.
Just keep asking us, you get a lot more sympthy on here.
Mind you, if my toe were sticking out sidesways or looked really weird, I might toddle along to the doctor's just for a change in reading matter. You'd probably pick up a few bugs in the waiting room though, so make sure you have a nurse around for the next few days if you do decide to go.
broken my big toes a few times, doctors never did anything about it, hurts like hell the first time it wouldn't hurt to goto the dr just to make sure (ok walking to the dr's will hurt lol)
ETA Next time curl your toes up before you kick somthing
the most painful one, now it'll be weaker too, so a good chance you'll break it again in the future, just to cheer you up my right ones gone about 3 times now
The important thing is to rest but it would be a good idea to go to the doctor and check that there is really a fracture or not, you can see if there are changes in the skin (it has turned purple and the toe is throbbing)...it is good then if the doc immobilizes it and gives you some pain killers (the good ones ).
OW! DB I literally feel your pain!! I broke my toe on Monday evening
I only broke the little one though and not the big one
Anyway, I would say go to the doctor. I was reluctant but my work accident insurance wanted me to so I went. They x-rayed to confirm break and then they made a plastic mould that goes around my toes and foot. I am amazed at how good it is! Not only does it protect it from anymore knocks but it actually stabilises the toe so walking is much less painful. It still hurts of course but at least I'm not trying to walk on the ball of my foot anymore
Also, I find that it is still really painful even with the mould on in the morning but in the afternoon it becomes much more comfortable.
I broke my little toe once, accidentally kicking into my suitcase 15 min before leaving for Paris. The pain in the plane was excruciating, and I managed to painfully hobble for a week of sight-seeing.
I went to the doctor's went I went back: he told me that as long as the toe is not sticking at a weird angle (which requires surgery), there's absolutely nothing to do about it except rest and wear comfortable flat shoes...
It was really painful for a good 3 weeks, and stayed sensitive for much longer.