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The response to the question below was authored by Marc Mitnick DPM

Toe/Foot Bruise

by Carl
(Florida)

I slipped in the shower and banged my toes ito the wall as I fell. I had them xrayed no fracture, put Ice on them for a week while swelling was reduced big toe still hurts.

I am male, 68, have muscular dystrophy - can still walk a little with a cain, can stand holding on, can drive, have high blood pressure under control with medicine.

What should I do to complete the healing? For example, should I continue cold or start warm compresses? Please help.

Thank you.

ANSWER

Hi Carl,

I believe in ice for the first 24 hours of an injury. The point of icing is to reduce inflammation and swelling to limit the initial pain, which is usually the worst pain that you will experience.
After 24 hours I recommend going to heat, but you have to use moist heat such as those found in hot-cold packs or even warm soaks. Dry heat like a heating pad is not as effective.
When it comes to bruised or sprained toes (x-ray was negative for fracture), I would also recommend that you consider taping the bruised toes together or to the adjacent toe that is not bruised.
The purpose of this is to immobilize the toes and to splint them. By splinting them you prevent them from bending and swelling, both of which will make it more comfortable to walk and will accelerate the healing process.
I would recommend you purchase one inch wide hypo-allergenic cloth tape. Tear a piece of long enough to wrap around the toes. Not too tight, but just snug enough.
If your feet tend to perspire a lot, then you might want to put a very small piece of gauze in between the toes to absorb the moisture so you do not end up giving yourself an athletes foot infection.
You must change the tape daily and if you get it wet, you must remove it as that too will exacerbate athletes foot.
This is about all you can do on your own, but most of my patients find taping dramatically improves their ability to walk more comfortably.

Marc Mitnick DPM
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Mayo Clinic

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Drugs.com

American Academy of Pediatrics

Penn State Medical Center

National Institutes of Health

Columbia University Department of Rehabilitation

ScienceDirect

Stanford Health Care

Illinois Bone and Joint Institute

Mount Sinai Hospital

Institute for Chronic Pain

University of Florida Health

American Family Physician

Cedars-Sinai

University of Maryland Medical Center

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Unknown location

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Poland

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South Carolina

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anonymous

Dr. Mitnick, Thank you, you were 100% correct. The pain finally brought me to the ER. I spent 8 days in the hospital. The Doppler you spoke of was able to show that there was no pulse in that foot. This was an arterial clot that split and traveled throughout my leg. My leg was almost amputated. I am in rough shape but have all my parts intact!! You certainly know what you are talking about. Thank you for taking the time to answer. Yours Truly!

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Seattle, WA

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New Jersey

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Evansville, IA

Dear Marc

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Jackie

San Diego, CA

Dr. Mitnick, Just want to say thank you so very much for your quick response and very informative reply! After reading what you had to say, I called the doctor's office and was able to get in and see him the same day as my injury. Toe was x-rayed and luckily, it is not broken or fractured. Very badly bruised and will probably lose the toe nail. And although my toe and toe nail are still very black and blue and very sore, they ARE both starting to feel a little better. So again, thank you! I am so very happy that I came across your website. The service you provide is outstanding and immeasurable!

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Albany, NY

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Whichita, KS

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Colorado

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Colorado

Wonderful advice

by: Anonymous

This is the best site for foot problem info.

Thank you for this information. This description fits my pain and inflammation behind my 2nd toe perfectly.

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location unknown

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Canada

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Wisconsin

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North Carolina

Many Thanks Dr Marc!
Thank you for your response. It sounds like a good plan to me. He did not cut the wart out first ...

KG

location unknown

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Bessie Mae

Florida

Dear Dr. Mitnick, Thank you so very much for taking your time to answer my question. You have greatly relieved my anxiety related to the continual tingly I feel in my feet. I will share your response with my podiatrist next week. God bless you for having this question and answer page on your website! Most gratefully,

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New Jersey

Thank you. you were more detailed than what others have told me they finally called from the last xrays and my son is now in a cast for 2 weeks he did have a fracture that was not noticeable.

a mom

location unknown

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Bellevue, WA

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location unknown

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