A broken toe is a fracture of one of the small bones in the toe caused by direct force or impact. This common foot injury can affect balance and walking, making daily movement uncomfortable. Even a minor fracture may require proper care to prevent complications and support healing. The most frequent causes include stubbing the toe against a hard surface or dropping a heavy object on the foot. These sudden impacts place pressure on the bone, leading to a break. Wearing poorly fitting shoes may also reduce protection and increase injury risk. Symptoms often include sharp pain, swelling, bruising, and tenderness. The toe may feel stiff, and walking can become difficult. In some cases, the toe may appear slightly misaligned or swollen after the injury. Risk factors include high activity levels, walking barefoot, and reduced bone strength. Early care helps prevent further issues and supports recovery. If you have a broken toe, it is suggested that you consult a chiropodist to explore effective relief and management solutions.

A broken toe typically occurs following either a sudden, traumatic injury, like dropping a heavy piece of furniture on the toe. The impact causes the bone to fracture and produces a variety of painful symptoms. If you suspect that you’ve broken your toe, please consult with Cynthia Chan, B.Sc., D.Ch from Healthy Advantage Foot & Orthotic Clinic. Our practitioner can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

Symptoms

• Throbbing pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Cracking sound at the time of injury
• Difficulty bearing weight on the toe
• Difficulty walking
• Toe resting at an unnatural angle

Diagnosis

Your chiropodist can diagnose a broken toe through physical examination and imaging studies, such as X-rays. 

Treatment

The main goals of treatment are to ensure that the bone heals properly, as a toe fracture that doesn’t heal properly can lead to osteoarthritis. You will typically need to rest the affected toe. You may be prescribed a splint to immobilize the toe while it heals. Icing the affected toe and taking over-the-counter medications can help reduce pain. In cases of severe fractures, surgery may be necessary to reset the broken bones and make sure that they heal correctly.  

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Scarborough, ON . 

Diabetes can affect the nerves and blood flow in the feet, increasing the risk of injury and infection. Symptoms often include burning sensations, numbness, and changes in sensitivity, which may reduce awareness of minor injuries. Risk factors such as high blood sugar levels, poor circulation, and wearing ill-fitting shoes can lead to serious complications. Understanding these causes highlights the importance of consistent foot care. Washing feet daily in warm water helps maintain cleanliness, while drying thoroughly between the toes reduces the chance of fungal growth. Keeping the skin soft prevents cracks that can allow bacteria to enter, and daily inspection helps identify early warning signs. Redness, swelling, and slow healing wounds are key signs of potential problems that require prompt attention. If you are managing diabetes and notice changes in your feet, it is suggested that you are under the care of a chiropodist who can help you to manage this serious condition.

Diabetes can cause serious problems in the lower limbs if proper preventive measures are not taken and diabetic wound care is not performed. If you would like to learn more about caring for diabetic feet, please consult with Cynthia Chan, B.Sc., D.Ch from Healthy Advantage Foot & Orthotic Clinic. Our practitioner can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

Diabetes can lead to a host of foot and ankle complications, including: 

• Poor circulation
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Diabetic foot wounds and ulcers
• Infection
• Corns and calluses
• Dry, cracked skin
• Nail disorders
• Hammertoes
• Bunions
• Charcot foot

If you have diabetes, you must be vigilant of any changes in your foot health. This is best done through daily foot inspections. Using a mirror to help you if necessary, look for any: 

• Cuts, scrapes, sores, or wounds
• Bruising or discoloration
• Swelling
• Rash
• Foul odor
• Nail changes
• Hair loss
• Warmth and inflammation
• Deformities
• Lower limb pain
• Strange sensations (numbness, tingling, burning, pins, and needles)

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Scarborough, ON . 

An ingrown toenail develops when the edge of a toenail grows into the surrounding skin instead of growing straight outward. The big toe is affected most often. Symptoms consist of pain, redness, swelling, and tenderness. As the nail presses deeper into the skin, it can also cause drainage or infection. Ingrown toenails are responsible for about 20 percent of foot problems and occur more often in young men. Contributing factors include cutting the nails incorrectly and repeated pressure on the toes. Wearing shoes that are too tight or shoes that lack proper support also contributes. A chiropodist can examine the affected toe, determine the cause, and recommend the most appropriate treatment. Care includes relieving pressure around the nail, managing infection when present, and helping reduce the chance of the problem returning. If you have pain from an ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a chiropodist for diagnosis and effective relief and treatment solutions.

Ingrown toenails may require medical attention. If you have significant pain or notice signs of infection from an ingrown toenail, please consult with Cynthia Chan, B.Sc., D.Ch from Healthy Advantage Foot & Orthotic Clinic. Our practitioner will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

What Is an Ingrown Toenail? 

An ingrown toenail occurs when the edges of a toenail grow into the surrounding skin. The toenails of the big toe are usually affected, however, an ingrown toenail can happen on any toe. Sometimes, the area can become infected leading to potentially serious complications. The ingrown toenail may be caused by improper trimming of the toenail, wearing ill-fitting shoes, or injury to the nail.

Symptoms

The symptoms of an ingrown toenail include: 

• Pain
• Swelling
• Redness
• Warmth
• Pus or drainage from the affected nail or a fever may indicate an infection of the area. 

Treatment

Treatment depends on the severity of the ingrown toenail. In less severe cases, home treatment may be adequate. Soaking the affected foot in warm water and gently lifting the nail from the skin with a piece of clean cotton can help. In more severe cases, you may need to use topical or oral antibiotics to treat an infection. Surgical removal of the ingrown toenail may be required if more conservative treatments fail. 

Ingrown toenails may be prevented by wearing well-fitted shoes and properly trimming the toenails. Toenails should be trimmed straight across and not too short when using nail clippers. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Scarborough, ON .