Hey ST docs, I broke my 3rd toe this morning (my chiropractor ordered an X-ray and the results aren’t back yet but I can tell just by looking at the films that it’s broken.) It’s swollen and slightly angulated toward my 4th toe.
Is there anything that an orthopedist can do to speed the healing or will I just be told to RICE? The fact that it’s pointing in the wrong direction concerns me.
Thanks.
it depends on how broken it is. Most people think a broken toe is simple, splint it by taping it to the toe next to it, but some won’t heal right and do require surgery. It’s worth having an orthopedist look at the xrays. My experience (4 times breaking a toe, 2 times ‘needing’ surgery…but only got it once…still have a crooked toe) is that most docs (even ER docs) just say tape it and ice it. if it hurts limit what you do, but an orthopedist will look more closely at the xrays.
Why did you have your chiro do x-rays and not an orthopedist or podiatrist??? I love my chiro, but I don’t think I would ever consider him an expert on broken toes (or any bone in the foot for that matter).
I think I broke my middle toe on my left foot this weekend as well. It’s in a lot of pain, so I’m assuming it’s broken. I’ve been off of it for 3 days now and no change, just made the call to my podiatrist to schedule an x-ray.
Interested to know how long I’ll be out as well…
Hey ST docs, I broke my 3rd toe this morning (my chiropractor ordered an X-ray and the results aren’t back yet but I can tell just by looking at the films that it’s broken.) It’s swollen and slightly angulated toward my 4th toe.
Is there anything that an orthopedist can do to speed the healing or will I just be told to RICE? The fact that it’s pointing in the wrong direction concerns me.
Thanks.
Maybe your chiro can straighten out your misaligned spine and it will pop that little toe right back into a straight position 
Dave
One week before my first HIM, I was at a water park. Slipped on a grate and my toe went into the grate while slipping. Hit the end of the grate with all my weight on it. Needless to say, It broke. Badly.
I just wore socks all the time and comfortable shoes to help keep it stabilized while it healed. Come race-time, it would only hurt if I accidentally “flicked” it or moved it unintentionally.
I had no problems during the race.
Just because it was the quickest way I knew I could get an x-ray…had no intention of having my chiro treat the toe, just wanted to use him for his x-ray ordering prowess 
Turns out, it is indeed broken. My wife was able to get me in with an ortho in her building on short notice…no treatment - just tape it to its neighbor toe and wait. Ugh.
Wow, I can’t imagine. I’m signed up for the Rev3 70.3 in SC this weekend but I just don’t see that happening now - which totally blows because I’m really well prepared.
Broke my 2nd left toe (next to left big toe)
Was in a boot for 6 weeks
no running for 6 weeks. I could bike and swim
After 6 weeks, it was good to go…
That’s what it’s looking like for me based on what the ortho told me. Silver lining = time for me to work really hard on the bike. My running will get back to form soon enough after a 6 week layoff (although i’m not at all happy about it), but it’s time to seriously improve my FTP.
This being ST, I suppose someone should go with the obligatory HTFU. Might as well be me.
Enjoy recovery.
I’m kind of surprised it took this long Because running on a broken bone in order to prove one’s hardness is always a good idea for long term success in the sport!
Consider yourself lucky. I can’t even spin on my trainer for a month, not to even mention running. Boo.
Sucks to give up the 70.3 though. Sorry to hear it.
Oh crap man, what did you do to yourself?
I’m the idiot that broke my shoulder in T1 at IMLT. And then finished the race. A plate and 6 screws now hold my acromion/clavicle together. NO exercise for 6 weeks.
So I envy the spinning.
Rick
Oh dude! Well, look on the bright side - at least you have a good story from a really badass race. I, on the other hand, had to pee so bad that I walked into the bathroom too vigorously and stubbed my toe on the doorframe bad enough to break the little fucker!
LOL! I almost like your story more! Classic!
Nice! Well, tonight I get drunk…tomorrow I go to my witch doctor to see if micro-current and the hyperbaric chamber can cure a broken bone faster than rest. Big waste of time and money, you say? Perhaps, but we’ll find out! Best of luck to you with your recovery!
I was doing a HIM last June as I was exiting the water, running the last 20 yrds in the water I kicked a submerged rock about the size of a small watermelon. Hurt like hell all the way to transition. Once I got my bike shoe on it felt much better, I did the bike and then in T-2 trying to get my foot in my running shoe I thought I was going to pass out it hurt so bad. Started to run anyway thinking the pain would lessen as I went along. It did some but every step hurt. Mile 7 I was contemplating quitting but I never had a DNF and thought if I quit now the next one will be easier to quit . So I stayed at it and finished the half.
When took my shoe off this what I saw.
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u221/uplandgunner/HighCliff20132_zps3c4a88e0.jpg
Friend who was a ER doc at the race said he was pretty sure it was broken and it was. I was glad I hung in there and finished as I won my AG.
Damn! Nice job! I’m glad the “no dnf” kept you going. It was one of many thoughts for me, too. Way to fight through the pain.
Rick