Despite its small size, an injury to the pinky toe can cause a lot of pain. Pinky toe pain is common, and can be caused by a large number of conditions. So why might your pinky toe be hurting? It could be broken. Stubbing your toe really hard or suffering a direct blow to the pinky from a heavy object can cause the bone to fracture. Symptoms of a broken pinky toe include a popping sound when the injury occurs, immediate throbbing pain that may fade after a few hours, difficulty putting weight on the affected foot, the pinky toe appearing misaligned, swelling, bruising, burning, or damage to the toenail. Other potential causes of pinky toe pain include a stress, avulsion, or Jones fracture, a dislocation, a sprain, a tailor’s bunion, a corn, or a pinky toe deformity like hammertoe. If you have pinky toe pain, it is suggested that you seek the care of a podiatrist for diagnosis and treatment. 

A broken toe can be very painful and lead to complications if not properly fixed. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Todd Goldberg from Complete Family Foot Care Center. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What to Know About a Broken Toe

Although most people try to avoid foot trauma such as banging, stubbing, or dropping heavy objects on their feet, the unfortunate fact is that it is a common occurrence. Given the fact that toes are positioned in front of the feet, they typically sustain the brunt of such trauma. When trauma occurs to a toe, the result can be a painful break (fracture).

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Throbbing pain
• Swelling
• Bruising on the skin and toenail
• The inability to move the toe
• Toe appears crooked or disfigured
• Tingling or numbness in the toe

Generally, it is best to stay off of the injured toe with the affected foot elevated.

Severe toe fractures may be treated with a splint, cast, and in some cases, minor surgery. Due to its position and the pressure it endures with daily activity, future complications can occur if the big toe is not properly treated.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Littlestown, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.