So I just shattered my big toe yesterday....anybody have any experience with this?

[DrGonzo]

I dropped something extremely heavy on my big toe from about 6' off the ground. After much blood and cussing I made it to the hospital and I wasnt the least bit surprised to find out that the tip of my toe is shattered into about 8 or so pieces.

Now the kicker is since this happened right before the weekend I can only hope that the specialist will be able to see me on Monday. So until then Ive been doing a bit of research to see what the usual method of fixing this is but I cant find anything online thats this specific. I think the joint is fine its just the tip that was crushed.

Anyone have this happen or know of anybody who has had it happen? Im just curious if they are only going to wrap the thing or if I am looking at surgery.

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

I think you'll be feeling that one for a long time. My father had his toe shattered and it's been bothering him ever since.

I've been lucky enough to not do that but with all the gear I move around in my line of work, its only a matter of time before a sandbag cart falls on my foot. Still going to be as careful as possible though, I like my feet as is.

 

[TallanKhan]

In what will probably be the least helpful post anyone makes, in answer to your question, it kind of depends. Depending on how your toe shattered it wil either heal on its own, or has been reduced to gravel which will need to be wired together and still might not heal properly.

Either way it will probably give you grief for quite a while, but whatever you do, try to stay off your feet as much as possible while it heals. If you walk on it you will find yourself shifting the weight on that foot, which will cause you to limp in short order, which will put a strain on your hip, which will make the limp worse. Walk with a limp for too long and it can be something that comes back to bite you at unfortunate times, I was hobbling around with a limp for quite a while myself, and while I am generally able bodied now, occasionally I will sleep in a funny angle, or strain my leg, and just like that I'm limping again.

 

[Tatsuki]

I dropped something extremely heavy on my big toe from about 6' off the ground. After much blood and cussing I made it to the hospital and I wasnt the least bit surprised to find out that the tip of my toe is shattered into about 8 or so pieces.

Now the kicker is since this happened right before the weekend I can only hope that the specialist will be able to see me on Monday. So until then Ive been doing a bit of research to see what the usual method of fixing this is but I cant find anything online thats this specific. I think the joint is fine its just the tip that was crushed.

Anyone have this happen or know of anybody who has had it happen? Im just curious if they are only going to wrap the thing or if I am looking at surgery.

*edit*

Yea I started writing up a nice big chunk of advice, double checked the OP to make sure I hadn't got the wrong end of the stick and noticed this post was from two days ago and you are seeing the specialist today so...

... how did it go?

 

[Boris Goodenough]

I haven't had it shattered but I have had it kicked while I was kicking (at Krav Maga), that was painful and I walked funny for a week and had pain 4 months after that, another time at BJJ it got snapped and i was in pain for 5 months after that. It does have a different size to the left one my now.

I hope you get better!

 

[Imperioratorex Caprae]

I dropped something extremely heavy on my big toe from about 6' off the ground. After much blood and cussing I made it to the hospital and I wasnt the least bit surprised to find out that the tip of my toe is shattered into about 8 or so pieces.

Now the kicker is since this happened right before the weekend I can only hope that the specialist will be able to see me on Monday. So until then Ive been doing a bit of research to see what the usual method of fixing this is but I cant find anything online thats this specific. I think the joint is fine its just the tip that was crushed.

Anyone have this happen or know of anybody who has had it happen? Im just curious if they are only going to wrap the thing or if I am looking at surgery.

I don't think surgery will do much for you, its something you'll have to just let mend by itself. Its not going to feel right though ever again. It'll be a painful recovery, and probably bother you the rest of your life.

 

[DementedSheep]

I've broken my big toe twice (one was from dropping a small mirror on it of all things) but I don't think I've shattered it. For me all they did was remove the nail, wrap it and tell me to keep off it.

I hope it turns out ok!

 

[Rednog]

I've broken a few toes, It's honestly a crap shoot. I've had minor fractures which healed and are just fine.
When I actually snapped my small toe they had me splint it and taped it up with the toe next to it for stability. A few months down the line they checked up on it, while the bone was back together it was no where near as strong as natural. I had the option to go for surgery which would involve rebreaking and a bunch more healing. The doctor said it really wasn't worth it because it honestly would never be as good as new. So I've just had to live with it. Extended walking/standing definitely leaves me with irritation and minor pain for the rest of the day, sometimes into the next. And since the toe was taped up to the one next to it, there is a tendency when I wear shoes or other constricting material for the toe to go back into that position and I have to put some cotton between or wrap that toe in a bandage to stop the toes from rubbing against each other.

 

[Rolaoi]

I broke my foot in the Army and had to wait a month to get seen.

For that, I would recommend bracing the toe and taping it to the next toe over to keep it from moving. Because of the way the toe is going to be flexing, you'll probably want something very stiff to keep your foot from flexing when you walk. Aside from that, elevate the toe and stay off of it.

 

[DugMachine]

My father's toe was shattered at one point a few years ago. They wrapped his toe up for a few weeks from what I can remember. Hurts like a ***** from what he's told me so I feel for you OP.

I'm fortunate enough to have never done that but I've ripped my toe nail completely off and that also was extremely painful. I couldn't wear shoes for what felt like months.