What is Toe Dislocation

Toe dislocation happens when a bone in your toe moves out of its normal position. This injury is often caused by a direct force. It often occurs while playing sports.

The injury can cause pain and swelling. You may have trouble moving your toe.

Your doctor will put the toe bone back into proper position. You may need to wear a cast or splint while the toe heals. In very bad cases, surgery may be needed.

Follow these instructions at home:

If you have a cast:

• Do not stick anything inside the cast to scratch your skin.
• Check the skin around the cast every day. Tell your doctor about any concerns. You may put lotion on dry skin around the edges of the cast, but do not put lotion on the skin under the cast.
• Do not let your cast get wet if it is not waterproof.
• Keep the cast clean.

If you have a splint:

• Wear the splint as told by your doctor. Remove it only as told by your doctor.
• Loosen the splint if your toes tingle, get numb, or turn cold and blue.
• Do not let your splint get wet if it is not waterproof.
• Keep the splint clean.

Bathing

• Do not take baths, swim, or use a hot tub until your doctor says it is okay. Ask your doctor if you can take showers. You may only be allowed to take sponge baths for bathing.
• If your cast or splint is not waterproof, cover it with a watertight plastic bag when you take a bath or a shower.

Managing pain, stiffness, and swelling

• If directed, put ice on the injured area.
  • Put ice in a plastic bag.
  • Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
  • Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times per day.
• Move your toes often to avoid stiffness and to lessen swelling.
• Raise (elevate) the injured area above the level of your heart while you are sitting or lying down.

Driving

• Do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.
• Ask your doctor when it is safe to drive if you have a cast or splint on a foot that you use for driving.

Activity

• Rest your injured joint.
• Return to your normal activities as told by your doctor. Ask your doctor what activities are safe for you.
• When your doctor says it is okay, begin doing gentle exercises to lessen stiffness.

General instructions

• Do not put pressure on any part of the cast or splint until it is fully hardened. This may take many hours.
• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
• If your doctor taped your injured toe to a toe that is next to it (did buddy taping), change the tape as told by your doctor.
• Do not use any tobacco products. These include cigarettes, chewing tobacco, or e-cigarettes. Tobacco can delay bone healing. IF you need help quitting, ask your doctor.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.

Contact a doctor if:

• Your toe looks crooked or out of position.
• You have other signs that your toe is dislocated again, such as:
  • Swelling.
  • Tenderness.
• You have new pain or pain that gets worse.
• Your cast or splint gets loose or damaged.

Get help right away if:

• Your pain gets very bad.
• You lose feeling in your toe.
• You cannot bend the tip of your toe.
• Your toe or foot feels cool and turns pale in color.