Is there any reason to go to the doctor w/ a broken toe?

[NuclearNed]

I either broke or dislocated a toe earlier today. If it's dislocated, it's back in place now. Here's what I would figure would happen at the dr.'s, in pseudocode:

10 xray toe
20 if toe != broken, goto 40
30 tape broken toe to adjacent toe
40 charge NuclearNed $200

Seriously... is there any real reason to go? I can tape up my own toes if that is all the treatment would be.

 

[AFurryReptile]

Only if it starts turning black.

 

[sixone]

http://www.medicinenet.com/broken_toe/page2.htm

 

[UberNeuman]

I would go to a doctor that didn't have a broken toe.

 

[nick1985]

I would go to a doctor that didn't have a broken toe.

lol

 

[Capt Caveman]

Depends on the fracture. If it's a compound and broken in multiple places, you may need a pin inserted. Don't you have health insurance?

I broke one of my toes as a kid and never went to the doctors. It never healed properly and now I can't bend it fully.

 

[nick1985]

I broke my ankle a couple years ago and didn't go to the doctor. I thought I just sprained it. Well it healed like shit and I ended up having to have reconstructive surgery on my ankle last august.

In short, go to the doctor.

 

[drebo]

If big toe, go to doctor. If one of the little toes, tape it. If it doesn't get better in a week, then go to the doctor.

 

[NuclearNed]

Depends on the fracture. If it's a compound and broken in multiple places, you may need a pin inserted. Don't you have health insurance?

I broke one of my toes as a kid and never went to the doctors. It never healed properly and now I can't bend it fully.

I have insurance, I just don't want to pay the copay if all I'm going to get is a tape job. If the toe is broken, I'm pretty sure it can't be a real bad break... I can bend it and walk on it, although it hurts like a mother trucker.

 

[HAL9000]

I would go to a doctor that didn't have a broken toe.

Genius.

 

[NuclearNed]

If big toe, go to doctor. If one of the little toes, tape it. If it doesn't get better in a week, then go to the doctor.

It's the toe next to the big toe.

 

[HAL9000]

I'd definitely go to a doctor about it, but then it doesn't cost me anything, I don't know if it's worth paying for....

 

[brainhulk]

when I dislocated my pinkie, the xray showed a bone fragment in the joint that the doctor said would probably impede movement of the joint. I had surgery to remove the fragment.

voila, shocker pinkie still fully functional

 

[TraumaRN]

It's the toe next to the big toe.

Unofficial ER nurse advice, please buddy tape your affected 2nd toe to your 3rd toe aka middle toe. Remember to untape at night and do this for at least 5 days, if after 5 days no improvement in toe, or increasing pain in your foot proper please see a doctor.

Also ice packs for the first 48-72 hours, along with tylenol or more preferably motrin for pain. Motrin is preferred due to it's anti-inflammatory properties.

Oh you are welcome and hope your toe feels better.

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

On the one hand, if it's a simple break and the edges are aligned and everything is simple, then there's probably no point. But if there are complications, if it's broken in several places or the bone is not aligned properly or if it's damaged the neurovasculature, then if you don't go your toe is screwed.

I'd definitely go to a doctor about it, but then it doesn't cost me anything

This.

 

[bhanson]

I have insurance, I just don't want to pay the copay if all I'm going to get is a tape job. If the toe is broken, I'm pretty sure it can't be a real bad break... I can bend it and walk on it, although it hurts like a mother trucker.

How much is your copay?

 

[gophins72]

I have insurance, I just don't want to pay the copay if all I'm going to get is a tape job. If the toe is broken, I'm pretty sure it can't be a real bad break... I can bend it and walk on it, although it hurts like a mother trucker.

you go to make sure it's not anything worse than just a broken toe. if you have no suspicion of this, then you can save whatever your copay is. i dont remember copays being exceedingly large though but i suppose it depends on the insurance coverage you've chosen

 

[BoomerD]

I either broke or dislocated a toe earlier today. If it's dislocated, it's back in place now. Here's what I would figure would happen at the dr.'s, in pseudocode:

10 xray toe
20 if toe != broken, goto 40
30 tape broken toe to adjacent toe
40 charge NuclearNed $200

Seriously... is there any real reason to go? I can tape up my own toes if that is all the treatment would be.

That's about it...unless it's a compound fracture of the toe, the most they'll do is take an x-ray and tape it to the toe next to it.

 

[olds]

I didn't go. I just duct taped it to the toe next to it.

 

[Brigandier]

I don't know if it's worth paying for....

/this

/hasnoinsurance

I broke my knuckle and a couple of toes, doctors can't really do much for either, so don't waste your money.

 

[olds]

On the one hand, if it's a simple break and the edges are aligned and everything is simple, then there's probably no point. But if there are complications, if it's broken in several places or the bone is not aligned properly or if it's damaged the neurovasculature, then if you don't go your toe is screwed.


This.

Who has toes on their hand?

 

[NuclearNed]

How much is your copay?

$45. I'm exceptionally cheap, especially if I can power my way through the pain for a day or two.

Again, if it is broken, it can't be a real bad break.

 

[NuclearNed]

Unofficial ER nurse advice, please buddy tape your affected 2nd toe to your 3rd toe aka middle toe. Remember to untape at night and do this for at least 5 days, if after 5 days no improvement in toe, or increasing pain in your foot proper please see a doctor.

Also ice packs for the first 48-72 hours, along with tylenol or more preferably motrin for pain. Motrin is preferred due to it's anti-inflammatory properties.

Oh you are welcome and hope your toe feels better.

good advice, thanks

 

[bhanson]

$45. I'm exceptionally cheap, especially if I can power my way through the pain for a day or two.

Again, if it is broken, it can't be a real bad break.

Personally I think money spent on your health can never be a bad thing, even if sometimes it turns out to be a waste.

Think of the last time you blew $45 on some other random crap.

 

[waggy]

i broke 2 toes. i didn't go to the doctor and wish i had now. they are curved and if i walk to much they start to hurt a LOT.