How do I tell if my toe is broken?

Answer by  drJ (841)

A broken toe will not only be painful and swollen, but will usually turn colors as well. If your toe is purple or black, it is likely broken. Unfortunately there is little that can be done for a broken toe - ice, immobilization (taping the toe to an adjacent toe) painkillers, and elevated rest are your best bet.

Answer by  arkadeb313 (67)

The swelling may be caused by sprain or from a broken bone. The best way to be sure is to get an x-ray of the toe.

Answer by  YK (304)

If it turns purple, swells a great deal, and really hurts to put weight on for days afterwards, then likely it's been broken.