Broken big toe??

[drgnfly30]

DS10 just stubbed his big toe on the dogs cow hoof.. He started screaming, the toe started swelling & immediately turned red, then black & blue.. I put an ice pack on it but he's a complainer (read hypocondriac) so I don't know if I should do more... Could it be broken.. if it is will it do any good going to the ER? I've heard they don't do much for toes??? Grrr it sucks being a responsible parent sometimes!

 

[Kermit]

Toes break. Some doctors will tell you that there can be a need for medical attention in some cases; others will tell you not to bother. I probably wouldn't go to the ER, unless maybe your doctor is in a small office without an x-ray machine. It's still early. I'd call my doctor at this time of the evening for a question like that. (It would have to be something more serious for me to call after his kids were in bed.)

He will need to wear shoes as soon as he can get his foot into one to hold the toe in place. Until then, he should stay off of it.

 

[Aidensmom]

I've broken my big toe twice, both times just taped it to the next toe to hold it in place. Once it is "secured" it doesn't hurt as much either.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I say go to the er and I speak from experience. I have broken my toes several times (I finally learned not to walk barefoot) but there may be something they can give him in the form of an anti inflamatory and they also will get you in touch with an orthopedic doctor. I suffer every day with foot pain because I waited and did not take care my toe (sometimes I went and sometimes I just dealt with it and the toes that were not taken care of are the ones that are killing me now)

 

[drgnfly30]

My Dr doesnt do xrays in her office... if I called her off hours chances are she'd tell me to go the ER. She's extremely cautious & would rather err on the safe side.. I just don't relish the thought of spending the evening in a crowded ER for them to 'tape it up' or something.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

Okay now picture this ten fifteen years down the road he has a problem with his foot and it hurts like heck to walk in regular shoes. He points a finger at you and says,"MOM why didn't you take me to the er when I was a kid". Can you live with that LOL!! Seriously, I have a very hard time finding shoes that do not kill. When I went to the foot doctor he told me you have the highest concentration of nerves in your hands, feet and well you can guess the other place. Anyway he said foot pain can be excruciating and let me tell you it is. I know they might just tape it up but so what. IF it saves him pain later it is worth it. (Wow my mother raised me right I am good at giving guilt).

 

[Kermit]

Do you have an urgent care clinic that usually has shorter waits? I can understand wanting to stay out of the ER. If I were in your shoes, I'd probably go to urgent care tomorrow morning when the wait will be shorter.

 

[drgnfly30]

Wow Bella.. you give better guilt trips than MY mom! OK... here's the plan.. it's not life threatening so I'll keep it on ice tonight & re-evaluate the situation tomorrow.. the ER waits ARE always shorter on weekday mornings - geesh they must have a red flag on his file there! He's so darn accident prone - I've taken him to the ER at least once a year since he was two - actually twice last year - I almost forgot about when we were at WDW last fall!!....

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

Let me know how it turns out. I am facing surgery for mine all these years later.

 

[drgnfly30]

Let me know how it turns out. I am facing surgery for mine all these years later.

I will... if he's got my DH's feet, which it looks like he does, he's in for future of foot problems anyway! He was supposed to get surgery years ago but is too afraid to...Duh! It's always real fun walking around WDW with him!!

 

[Sparx]

It sounds broken. Don't go to the ER, they can't do anything for it. Just tape it to the next toe and don't put too much pressure on it. Take some pain killer if it hurts really bad. I've broken my pinky toe before, so I know how he feels. (((Hugs)))

 

[OhioTony]

OMG! I am typing this response with an ice bag on my foot! I MAJORLY stubbed my little toe last night! Stepping over my dog too..She was laying at the bottom of a step and i tripid over er and WHAM...I KID U NOT!!
It is now several lovely shades of blue & purple. I opted out of the doctor. I am doing ice off & on every 20 min & ibuprophin to reduce swelling. But I would possibly consider a doctor if it was a kid who is still growing. I can deal with PAIN but I hate to see the kids suffer!

I'm just glad it happened now, so it can heal before our trip the end of Sept!

 

[Figment22]

If you go to the ER, they'll x-ray it and tell you if it's broken or not. Then, if it's broken, they'll "splint" it by taping it to the second toe and tell you to give him an anti-inflammatory (Advil, Motrin).

Very important: (And I didn't listen to this advice ) Make sure he wears shoes with good support, no flip flops, deck shoes, etc. He needs to be wearing a good sneaker even if you have to get him a pair that's a bit bigger to compensate for the broken toe. I was told this by the ER doctor and didn't listen. I walked around in my sandals and deck shoes for weeks and ended up developing heel problems.

Good luck!

 

[drgnfly30]

Very important: (And I didn't listen to this advice ) Make sure he wears shoes with good support, no flip flops, deck shoes, etc. He needs to be wearing a good sneaker even if you have to get him a pair that's a bit bigger to compensate for the broken toe. I was told this by the ER doctor and didn't listen. I walked around in my sandals and deck shoes for weeks and ended up developing heel problems.

Good luck!

I'll keep that in mind.. he's got a new pair of New Balance's that are a tad too big!

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Christine, for something like that I wouldn't go to an emergency room because in the morning it really isn't an emergency. We have used the Medical Aid Unit in Glasgow behind People Plaza many times. It is quick and very nice and I belive there is x-ray right there. And it is much less expensive than the ER. There is also the 24 Emergency Care on Main Street in Newark but I have never used it.

Here is the info on the one in Glasgow. Glasgow Medical Aid Unit, 2600 Glasgow Ave., Glasgow; 836-8350. Walk-in practice, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. and holidays.

 

[drgnfly30]

Christine, for something like that I wouldn't go to an emergency room because in the morning it really isn't an emergency. We have used the Medical Aid Unit in Glasgow behind People Plaza many times. It is quick and very nice and I belive there is x-ray right there. And it is much less expensive than the ER. There is also the 24 Emergency Care on Main Street in Newark but I have never used it.

Here is the info on the one in Glasgow. Glasgow Medical Aid Unit, 2600 Glasgow Ave., Glasgow; 836-8350. Walk-in practice, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. and holidays.

Thanks.. I'll keep that in mind.. just not sure how the insurance co. would cover an urgent care vs a visit to Christiana's ER... they've really buckled down on coverage... In order to get his YMCA physical covered they couldn't submit it as a "form" physical because they aren't medically necessary!!!!