The forefoot is the front section of the foot, which consists of the toes. Injuries in this area can cause pain, but they are usually not serious enough to prevent a person from walking. There are two main types of fractures: traumatic fractures and stress fractures. Traumatic fractures happen when the foot hits a hard surface with a strong impact. Stress fractures are tiny cracks in the bone, commonly caused by repeated stress or overuse. Common symptoms of fractures in the toes or forefoot may include pain, bruising, swelling, and difficulty walking.
To detect toe and forefoot fractures, your doctor conducts a physical examination of the foot, and may order X-ray’s to identify the location and severity of the fracture. Toe and forefoot fractures can be treated by the following ways:
- Rest: Adequate amount of rest can sometimes help heal a traumatic fracture
- Splinting: Splints may be applied to keep the toe in a fixed position.
- Rigid shoe: A stiff-soled shoe may be recommended to protect the toe and position it correctly.
- Buddy taping: The fractured toe is taped to the adjacent toe with a gauze pad between the toes.
- Surgery: Your doctor realigns the fractured bones using pins or screws to hold the bones together in place until they heal completely.
