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Outside of the Foot Pain [Lateral Foot Pain]
Sprained Pinky Toe Pain or Broken Pinky Toe? [Best Treatment]
Sprained Pinky Toe or Broken Pinky Toe Pain? STOP continuing to live in pain: Follow these simple steps to make your pain goes away FOREVER!
Table of Contents
How to fix a sprained pinky toe video:
This video will go over:
- How to diagnose a sprained pinky toe.
- How to tell between a sprained pinky toe vs. broken toe.
- How to treat a sprained pinky toe.
- How to wrap a sprained pinky toe.
Pinky toe pain causes:
Sprained Pinky Toe Pictures:
Below is a gallery of sprained pinky toe pictures.
Look:
What does a sprained pinky toe look like?
- If you are asking yourself what does a sprained pinky toe look like, the answer is not much different than a lightly broken pinky toe.
- With a severe sprain there can be purple or dark bruising.
- Sprained pinky toe pictures do not always show whether there is a pinky toe sprain or break.
- Without seeing a podiatrist it can be very difficult to tell if you are pinky toe is broken or sprained.
Is my pinky toe broken or sprained?
- As podiatrists this is a question we here frequently “is my pinky toe broken or just sprained?”
- The best way to tell is an x-ray, there is a very small margin of difference between a badly sprained pinky toe and a lightly broken pinky toe.
Sprained pinky toe symptoms:
A sprained pinky toe and broken pinky toe will really hurt for the first couple of days. This is the inflammatory response taking place. This does not mean that you have had any permanent damage take place.
Sprained Pinky Toe Symptoms:
- A sprained pinky toe is damage to the ligaments.
- Pain in the entire pinky toe.
- Possible numbness, burning & tingling due to nerve irritation. This can be more noticeable even at night time.
- Swelling & edema in the entire little toe.
- Swelling & edema in the pinky toe joint.
- Bruising at the bottom of the outside of the foot or pinky toe a day or two later.
Broken Pinky Toe Symptoms:
- Similar symptoms to the sprained pinky toe, but rather than damage to the ligaments holding the bones together, the actual bone is broken.
- As a general rule, bone damage causes more swelling and bruising than soft tissue injury.
- With a broken pinky toe, these symptoms will be more noticeable and more painful. However, this is not reliable enough to make a true diagnosis.
- The only true way to diagnose a pinky toe fracture is if the toe is clearly displaced.
- Most fractures are not dislocated and have a crack but no displacement.
- A broken pinky toe will have more bruising and swelling than a sprained toe.
Causes Of A Sprained Pinky Toe:
Both a sprained pinky toe or a broken pinky toe can be caused by the following:
- A sprained pinky toe usually happens as the big toe is bent backward.
- This is common when walking barefoot and bumping the 5th toe.
- The pinky toe is not very strong & is easily overcome by stubbing or forcefully striking an object.
- It is most common while walking barefoot or with tremendous force.
- This toe is the most fragile and smallest of all the toes.
- A broken pinky toe is usually caused with greater force than a simple sprain of the toe.
Is My Pinky Toe Broken Or Sprained?
This is very difficult to say for sure. An X-ray is usually needed for confirmation.
- The only way to know 100% is to head to your podiatrist’s office or the ER for X-ray imaging.
- There are many cases where a sprained big toe looks worse than a broken toe, although generally, terrible bruising and pain are more likely to be a fracture.
- There are other cases where very mild injuries can result in a broken toe.
Think Broken Pinky Toe If:
Crunching noise during the injury.
Severe swelling & bruising.
Complete inability to move the toe.
Obvious deformity.
Think Sprained Toe If:
No cracking or crumpling noise during the time of injury.
No significant bruising or pain.
No obvious damage.
Sprained Pinky Toe Healing Time:
There are three grades of sprained pinky toe injuries. The recovery time and healing time can vary based on what grade of sprain you have.
Don’t worry; most sprains are a grade 1 injury.
Sprained Pinky Toe Recovery Time:
1) Grade 1 Pinky Toe Sprain:
The joint capsule & soft tissue are stretched.
This is the vast majority of pinky toe sprains, no matter how painful they are initially.
This results in a more mild amount of swelling & bruising.
Perform initial treatment as detailed below.
Sprained Pinky Toe Recovery Time: 1-2 weeks.
2) Grade 2 Pinky Toe Sprain:
This is a partial tear of the plantar anatomy.
This results in severe bruising & swelling.
It is usually indistinguishable from a grade 1 sprain early on.
This likely does not need any surgery or intervention.
It is a good idea to head in for precautionary imaging at your podiatrist’s office.
Perform initial treatment as detailed below.
Sprained Pinky Toe Recovery Time: 2-4 weeks.
3) Grade 3 Pinky Toe Sprain:
This is a complete tear of the soft tissue anatomy.
This causes severe swelling & bruising.
There is a possible deformity.
This will require a visit to the podiatrist for imaging and intervention.
Sprained Pinky Toe Recovery Time: 2-3 weeks. Will require podiatrist intervention & imaging.
Broken Pinky Toe Recovery Time:
Non-displaced Broken Pinky Toe:
If your pinky toe is not deformed and broken out of place, it will be sore for a little while.
Generally, it can take a few weeks for the pain to start to go away.
Most people have bruising and pain for more than 6-8 weeks.
It is normal to have a sore toe for even over 3+ months.
See your podiatrist for imaging if it is not starting to get better pretty quickly.
Displaced Broken Pinky Toe:
If you have a deformity or severe bend in your toe, this may require some intervention.
If you have a displaced toe, then you may need a pin to hold it back into place. Usually, under imaging, a podiatrist or emergency room doctor can pop the toe back into place.
The good news is that even with a broken and displaced pinky toe, you should not really have any long-term damage or disability.
A displaced broken pinky toe does require immediate intervention. See your podiatrist as soon as possible!
Again this can take up to 3+ months until full recovery is achieved.
How to fix a dislocated pinky toe:
- If you have a dislocated or deformed pinky toe, this means one of two things: Either a fractured pinky toe or a complete tearing of the joint capsule.
- If this has happened to you, it is necessary to see your podiatrist or emergency room doctor quickly.
- With continued dislocation, this can cause more permanent damage to the soft tissue envelope.
Dislocated pinky toe symptoms:
- Symptoms and causes will be very similar to that of a severely sprained or broken pinky toe.
- There will likely be a deformity of the pinky toe appreciated.
Dislocated Pinky Toe Treatment:
There are two treatment options for a dislocated pinky toe:
1)Pinky Toe surgery:
- This usually involved replacing the pinky toe into the proper position.
- If it does not stay there, it may need to be pinned with a wire.
- This wire can stay in place for up to 4-6 weeks, depending on your toe healing time.
2)Manual re-positioning:
- This re-positioning of the dislocated pinky toe under imaging is generally very successful.
- Fluoroscopy is a live imaging option that we do have available at the emergency room.
Dislocated pinky toe recovery time:
- The recovery time for a dislocated pinky toe can usually be at least 2-3 months of pain.
- Sometimes a dislocated pinky toe might need surgery, and sometimes your podiatrist will be able to pop it back in a place without a big problem.
- If the toe can be relocated back into place, then the soreness should eventually go away.
- The recovery time is usually 2-3 months, for about 75% of the pain to go away.
- In about 6 months for 90% of the pain will go away.
- Sometimes the toe may never get back to 100% if it is not fully pop back into place or damage the cartilage.
- There is always a possibility that there could be permanent osteoarthritis.
How to fix a sprained pinky toe:
- Sprained pinky toe treatment generally consists of a few simple things that you can do yourself at home.
- But if you have any concerns about more serious damage, make sure to see your podiatrist for X-rays and more in-depth evaluation.
A)Wear a good supportive pair of shoes:
- Getting a good supportive running shoe will take pressure off the pinky toe sprain.
- If you are still feeling pain, you may need a shoe with mesh or soft cloth around the edge of the fifth toe.
- Sometimes if there are stitches or pressure along with this site, it can irritate the toe.
- So ideally, you will have a good stiff running shoe with mesh non-restrictive cloth surrounding the 5th toe site.
B)Buddy taping:
- Budding taping consists of wrapping the fifth toe joint with tape.
- This is usually more important for the other toes, like the big toe, but it can still help the fifth toe.
- All this does is prevents excess motion of the 5th toe.
- It will not make it heal faster, but it will make the toe have less motion and possibly less damage.
C)Pinky Toe Splint:
- Sometimes a pinky toe splint may be necessary, but this is very, very rare!
- Pinky toe splints are not very practical.
D)Rest:
- There is really no secret to the sprained pinky toe.
- The key is really resting it and giving it a few weeks to get better.
- So if you have a 12-hour shift that you need to work, this may take longer to heal.
Broken Pinky Toe Treatment:
A)Wear a good supportive pair of shoes for your broken baby toe:
- Getting a good supportive running shoe will protect and take pressure off the baby toe sprain. This is similar to treatment for your sprained baby toe.
- If you are still feeling pain, you may need a shoe with mesh or soft cloth around the edge of the fifth toe.
- Sometimes if there are stitches or pressure along with this site, it can irritate the toe.
- So ideally, you will have a good stiff running shoe with mesh non-restrictive cloth surrounding the 5th toe site.
B)Buddy taping for your broken baby toe:
- Budding taping consists of wrapping the fifth toe joint with tape.
- This is usually more important for the other toes, like the big toe, but it can still help the fifth toe.
- All this does is prevents excess motion of the 5th toe.
- It will not make it heal faster, but it will make the toe have less motion and possibly less damage.
C)Pinky Toe Splint for broken small toes:
- A pinky toe splint does not really make sense for broken small toes.
- Stick with a good supportive shoe and buddy taping for your treatment.
D)Broken Pinky Toe Cast:
- A broken pinky toe cast does not make sense, just like a pinky toe splint is not very practical.
- Stick with great shoes and buddy taping.
- The only way a broken pinky toe cast is necessary is if you end up needing surgery and have further fractures.
Best shoes for a sprained pinky toe:
- If you have a pinky toe injury, consider getting a perfect pair of shoes to keep pressure off of the toe.
- A good shoe will prevent your foot from turning out and can really relieve the pain.
Best orthotics for a sprained pinky toe:
- Orthotics can be very effective in stopping the overpronation of your foot. This will prevent your 5th toe from pressing into the outside of the shoe.
Jones Fracture Treatment:
- A fractured pinky toe is the same as a broken pinky toe or a broken baby toe. These terms basically mean the same thing.
- Treat your fractured pinky toe just like you would the above-broken pinky toe.
- If you have a jones or fifth metatarsal fracture further up the bone, consider this treatment video.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Did I sprain or break my pinky toe?
- Usually, a broken pinky toe will have some deformity or dislocation. There is usually dark purple bruising.
- A sprain pinky toe usually starts to feel better quickly, and there is minimal bruising or damage.
- It is impossible to tell with 100% certainty until you see a podiatrist and get a foot x-ray.
What to do for a broken or sprained pinky toe?
- The best thing to do for a broken or sprained pinky toe is to see a podiatrist and getting an x-ray.
- If the toe is broken, it is essential to make sure that there is no pressure on the toe to develop osteoarthritis.
- Unfortunately with a crushed or dislocated pinky toe joint can lead to permanent bone fusion or deformity.
- Generally, in our clinic, we start with a walking boot to keep pressure off the 5th toe.
- We can also work with the patient to get time off work or to modify activities so that the toe has enough time to heal.
- The most important part of seeing a podiatrist is to optimize how quickly and how certainly you can get better.
How long does a sprained pinky toe take to heal:
There are 3 grades of sprained pinky toe injuries.
- A grade 1 sprain can take about 1-2 days to start feeling better.
- A grade 2 sprain can take about 2-4 weeks to start feeling better.
- A grade 3 sprain can take 4-6 weeks or more to start feeling better.
If you are worried, see your podiatrist to ensure that you don’t have a broken toe or a torn pinky toe ligament.
How to wrap a sprained pinky toe?
- The best way to wrap a sprained pinky toe is not to wrap it at all.
- In our opinion, there are many gel pads available, and it might be a better idea to get it diagnosed properly and wear a protective shoe or boot.
- In our opinion are wrap on your spring pinky toe will not help at all. It will simply lessen the pain slightly without helping it heal.
Outside of the Foot Pain [Lateral Foot Pain]