injured toe - HELP! (fractures, xray, pain, bleeding)

[Sprawling_Homeowner]

An old, worn, dirty mini-bookshelf fell on my foot today while I was in the garage. The wood (thank goodness, no nails, no metal) hit my foot and my smallest toe on my left foot got hit.

I dunked and soaked my foot in ice-cold water for 40 minutes. THe pain went away.

I then went to the gym (but did not work legs).

When I came home and took off my socks, my toe was swollen and black & blue. Evidently, there is internal bleeding and the blood pooled. It feels as if blood would just gush out if I poked it with a needle.

Is this something that requires a doctor? There is nothing exposed; no metal was involved. It looks ugly, but I'm not sure whether it needs anything other than thorough cleaning, careful walking, and time to heal.

[Okiegirlfriend]

Sounds like a broken toe to me. If you put it in hot water and it hurts like h*ll, it is probably broken. The doctor said mine was doing exactly what it was suppose to do....the blood pooling under the skin, visible on the bottom of the foot. He didn't xray it and said all he could do was wrap it. I chose to wear my New Balance shoes as they gave it the best support. It took six months before I could wear dress shoes again.

[Mattie]

All a doctor would do is wrap it against the next toe, in order to immobilize it. I've broken the small toe a couple of times. It hurts when it happens, but will heal on it's own.

[mm_mary73]

DO NOT puncture ANYTHING with a needle!!!! and probably just "...thorough cleaning, careful walking, and time to heal." and buddy-taping. The only thing I worry about are fractures that are not lined up well or are very near the joint. In any case, after the swelling goes down in a few days, consult your healthcare person for his/her advice. OUCH!!!