Toe injuries can be very painful and may affect your daily activities. They can lead to pain and discomfort that can make even small movements painful. If you have a sprained toe, you might want to know: How long does it take for a sprained toe to heal? Continue reading this blog to learn about sprained toes, symptoms, and treatment methods.
What is a Sprained Toe?
Sprains are injuries that affect ligaments in the body. Ligaments are the soft tissues that connect the bones within the joints. Stretched or torn ligaments in your toe can lead to a condition called a sprained toe. Sprained toes differ from broken toes, as a break involves an injury to the bone, not the ligament. Aside from the big toe, each of the toes in your feet has three joints:
- Metatarsophalangeal joint, where the toe meets the foot.
- The proximal interphalangeal joint is the middle joint of the toe.
- The distal phalangeal joint closes to the tip of the toe.
What Does a Sprained Toe Look Like?
If you struggle with a sprained toe, you may feel:
- Swelling
- Throbbing pain
- The toe appears disfigured or crooked
- Numbness or tingling in the toe
- Bruising on the toenail and skin
- Inability to move the toe
How to Heal a Sprained Big Toe?
Some sprained toe injuries may heal with time. Grade 1 and 2 turf toe injuries could get better with treatments that can be performed at home. Your doctor may suggest turf toe treatment, including:
- You must ask your doctor how long you should not put pressure on your foot. Based on the severity of the injury, you must take a break from activities for several days or weeks.
- You can also be advised to apply a cold compress to your affected toe for about 20 minutes at a time. Ice can reduce pain and swelling.
- Make sure to talk to your doctor about taking over-the-counter pain medications to relieve pain and reduce swelling.
- An experienced physical therapist can also suggest stretches and exercises to help your toe heal. Customized exercises can be suggested to improve flexibility, reduce stiffness, and strengthen muscles.
- Now, you may be wondering: How to wrap a sprained toe? Well, you can ask your doctor to show you how to wrap a sprained toe. This turf toe taping technique prevents motion while your toe heals.
- Rarely, a turf toe may need surgery to repair severe tears, joint damage, or fractures. The type of surgery relies on the injury’s location, which soft tissues and bones are damaged.
How Long Does a Sprained Toe Take to Heal?
A sprained toe may take 3 to 6 weeks to heal completely. However, a severe sprain may take a long time to recover. Therefore, it’s always suggested by doctors to keep your toe wrapped for about 4 weeks, and doctors can also give you more specific guidelines. As you heal, it’s important to avoid sports and other strenuous activities.
You can gradually return to your normal activity level once you no longer feel pain while walking or performing daily movements. Recovery usually takes at least a few weeks. If pain persists after two months, schedule an appointment with your doctor to rule out any additional injuries.
How to Tell If Your Toe is Broken or Sprained?
Here’s how to tell if your toe is broken:
- Severe pain
- Difficulty walking
- Numbness or tingling
- Severe bruising
- Dislocation
Here’s how to tell if your toe is sprained:
- Swelling and pain
- Some mobility
- Less bruising
What is the Difference Between a Broken Toe and a Sprained Toe?
- A sprained toe means your ligament around the toe is injured. Your toe will be functional, even if it is painful. On the other hand, a broken toe means a fractured bone.
- Mild sprains can be healed with time using home remedies, but more severe sprains may need to be taped to the toe next to the affected toe. You need to seek medical attention if you have a broken toe.
Conclusion
A toe sprain can be frustrating and painful, especially if you are a sports person. Most people heal a sprained toe within a few weeks. However, a severe sprain may take about three to six weeks. Make sure to get your sprained toe treated if it doesn’t go away on its own and consult with a doctor.
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