How to tell if my toe is broken?

How can I tell if my toe is broken?

• Well I just ran past a post in my house, but my little toe got stubbed on the way by (just the one toe). The toe kinda got caught on the corner, and bent outwards from my hurt, but I don't know how far it bent. This was about an hour ago, but it still really hurts. Is it possible that I fractured the bone, or is it just really bruised? Also, I have put an ice pack on it for about half an hour, but it doesn't feel any less painful.

• Answer:

  Don't be concerned about the pain, because it *is* going to hurt for quite a while - possibly weeks. It's perfectly normal, unfortunately. Wearing shoes is going to be painful as well. Since it's your little toe, even if it is broken, a doctor won't put your foot in a cast or anything. The very most he/she might do is tape it to your next toe to stabilize it. If you can bend the toe though (like, crunch up all of your toes, and see if the baby toe bends with the rest), then it's not broken. Keep using ice for 15-20 minutes at a time here and there, and elevate that foot when you can. It will help with the discomfort. Wear flip-flops when you can, so that it's not scrunched into a shoe. Beyond that, 'the tincture of time' is what will ultimately heal it.