Foot

What It Is

The forefoot has five metatarsal bones and 14 phalanges (toe bones), which work together when you walk (AAOS, n.d.). Broken bones in the forefoot or toes can be quite painful, but they rarely need surgery; most heal with rest and a change in activities (AAOS, n.d.).

Following a fracture, it may help to walk with a support or crutches for a few weeks (NHS, 2026). Broken toes usually heal within 4 to 6 weeks, though it can take several months (NHS, 2026), and metatarsal fractures usually heal enough for weight bearing in 6 to 8 weeks (AAOS, n.d.). A cast or walking boot may be used to protect the foot while you walk.

If you suspect a fracture in the foot, get medical advice. The medical team will examine you and decide if you need an X-ray.

Toe and Forefoot Fractures Anatomy

The toes and forefoot are made up of several bones. Each of the four smaller toes begins with a metatarsal bone in the forefoot, followed by three smaller bones (phalanges): the proximal, middle and distal phalanx. The big toe usually has only two (AAOS, n.d.). The proximal phalanx is the longest toe bone and the most likely to break (AAOS, n.d.).

The bones connect to form the toe joints. The MTP joint connects the foot and the toe and forms the ball of the foot. The next joint is the PIP joint, and the last is the DIP joint. The joints are surrounded by a capsule of ligaments holding the bones together, and tendons underneath and on top of the toes curl and raise them.

The fifth metatarsal is the long bone on the outside of the foot leading to the little toe (it is not a toe bone). It often breaks when the foot and ankle twist downward and inward, such as tripping or rolling the ankle, and you will feel pain along the outside edge of your foot. Some fifth metatarsal fractures, especially the Jones fracture, heal slowly and may need a cast, boot or surgery (AAOS, n.d.). Foot fractures also commonly happen from dropping a heavy object on the foot.

Not a diagnosis — for more information, contact me or another trusted healthcare provider.

Treatment

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat Toe and Forefoot Fractures

Within your medical team's plan, I can help with swelling, stiffness and the parts of you working harder while you limp, show you how to buddy tape a straight smaller toe, and guide gentle exercises as it heals. See the My Approach tab for how I work.

1. Ice

Hold an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a towel on the area for up to 20 minutes every few hours for the first few days. Never put ice directly on the skin (NHS, 2026).

2. Rest

Rest your foot and keep it raised while it is swollen. Avoid walking or standing for long periods for the first few days, and avoid sports such as football, rugby or hockey for 6 weeks or until the pain eases. Slowly return to activities (NHS, 2026).

3. Strapping a smaller toe

Most broken toes do not need to be realigned. For a broken smaller toe, the NHS suggests strapping it to the toe next to it for 2 to 3 weeks, with a small piece of cotton wool or gauze between them. Do not strap your toe if it is pointing at an odd angle or if you have hurt your big toe – get medical advice instead. If swelling increases or the toe becomes numb or tingly, remove the tape and seek help (NHS, 2026).

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Options outside my scope

Realignment: if a toe is out of place and looks deformed, a doctor may need to move the bone back into position (AAOS, n.d.).
Cast, boot or surgery: some metatarsal fractures, including some fifth metatarsal fractures, need a cast or walking boot, and a few need surgery (AAOS, n.d.).

How I can help (see the My Approach tab)

Showing you how to buddy tape a straight smaller toe yourself
Hands-on work for the foot, calf and areas working harder while you limp
Foot strength and a gradual return to activity, within your team's plan

Tips

See your family doctor or nurse practitioner if pain and swelling have not started to ease 5 days after the injury, if it still hurts to walk after 6 weeks, or if you have diabetes (NHS, 2026).
Wear wide, comfortable flat shoes with stiff soles, and avoid tight, pointy shoes (NHS, 2026).
Some forefoot fractures are stress fractures from repetitive activity (AAOS, n.d.). To help prevent these, avoid increasing your training quickly, wear the right shoes when exercising and use proper training techniques.

Treatment

My Approach

A broken toe or forefoot bone needs protecting while it heals, but a stiff foot and a limp can linger. Your medical team decides how the break is treated. I work inside those limits, and if your fracture was treated with surgery or stops your normal daily activities, I need your team's okay before hands-on treatment.

Please bring any X-ray or scan reports and notes from your medical team to your first visit. They're an important part of planning safe treatment for you.

If you have diabetes or reduced feeling in your feet, I use lighter pressure and only mild warm or cool applications; at home, always test water temperature with your hand first.

While It's Healing

Easing the calf, other leg and back, which work harder while you limp, keeping clear of the broken bone
Gentle lymphatic drainage, and how to use ice safely at home
Showing you how to buddy tape a straight smaller toe yourself
Setting up crutches if you need them, and advice on stiff-soled shoes

Once Your Team Allows More

Gentle toe exercises, then foot and ankle strength, calf raises and balance work
Hands-on work for the foot and calf, and joint mobilisation only once the bone has healed
Walking practice, then a gradual return to running and sport

What to Expect

Typical Course

Typical course: While the foot is sore, visits are usually short and once or twice a week, then weekly, then spaced out as you manage more on your own. Broken toes usually heal within 4 to 6 weeks, though it can take several months, and metatarsal fractures usually heal enough to take weight in 6 to 8 weeks; some, such as the Jones fracture, heal more slowly, so your return to sport follows your medical team's plan.

What I Focus On

Working Within Your Team's Limits

Compensation Relief

Swelling Control

Toe & Foot Mobility

Return to Activity

Please read

When to See a Doctor First

When to get emergency help

Call 911 or go to the emergency room at your nearest hospital if

you think you have broken your big toe
your toe is pointing at an odd angle
the bone is sticking out of your toe
your toe or foot is tingling or numb
your child has hurt or broken their toe

Do not drive yourself; ask someone to take you or call for an ambulance (NHS, 2026).

Sources

References

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (n.d.) Toe and forefoot fractures. OrthoInfo. Available at: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/toe-and-forefoot-fractures/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
NHS (2026) Broken toe. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/broken-toe/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooToe and Forefoot Fractures

What It Is

Toe and Forefoot Fractures Anatomy

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat Toe and Forefoot Fractures

1. Ice

2. Rest

3. Strapping a smaller toe

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Tips

My Approach

While It's Healing

Once Your Team Allows More

Typical Course

When to See a Doctor First

When to get emergency help

References

Related Conditions

Book a session

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooToe and Forefoot Fractures

What It Is

Toe and Forefoot Fractures Anatomy

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat Toe and Forefoot Fractures

1. Ice

2. Rest

3. Strapping a smaller toe

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Tips

My Approach

While It's Healing

Once Your Team Allows More

Typical Course

When to See a Doctor First

When to get emergency help

References

Related Conditions

Club Foot

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Diabetic (Charcot) Foot

Extensor Tendon Rupture (Foot)

Book a session