broken toe

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   Our user asked: "I am 9 weeks into the healing process of a broken toe, a major break to the proximal end of the toe next to my big toe. It was slightly displaced, but the doctor felt surgery would not give me any better of a result than buddy taping and using a cam walker boot. I am now out of the boot and wearing sturdy tennis shoes. My problem is that I cannot flex the joints of the healing toe, thus, NONE of my other toes can flex. Should I be manipulating the muscles to get the joint loosened? I am concerned that inactivity will stiffen up ALL my toe joints."

Ask a PT Response: "After any period of immobilization at any joint, range of motion exercises and strethcing are usually recommended to assist with restoring function at the joint. Check with your doctor to get the OK for beginning range of motion and stretching exercises and possible participation in physical therapy. For my patients who have immobility issues at the toe(s) I have had them work on some exercises such as toe curls with a towel on the ground, sitting heel/toe raises, toe pick up of towel, toe curls AROM, PROM toe flex/extension, etc. I would progress to more exercises in weight bearing as my patient progresses. Good luck!"

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Ask a PT Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: Jul 07 2008 Status: Offline Points: 954	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ask a PT Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: broken toe Posted: Jul 31 2009 at 10:36am
	Our user asked: "I am 9 weeks into the healing process of a broken toe, a major break to the proximal end of the toe next to my big toe. It was slightly displaced, but the doctor felt surgery would not give me any better of a result than buddy taping and using a cam walker boot. I am now out of the boot and wearing sturdy tennis shoes. My problem is that I cannot flex the joints of the healing toe, thus, NONE of my other toes can flex. Should I be manipulating the muscles to get the joint loosened? I am concerned that inactivity will stiffen up ALL my toe joints." Ask a PT Response: "After any period of immobilization at any joint, range of motion exercises and strethcing are usually recommended to assist with restoring function at the joint. Check with your doctor to get the OK for beginning range of motion and stretching exercises and possible participation in physical therapy. For my patients who have immobility issues at the toe(s) I have had them work on some exercises such as toe curls with a towel on the ground, sitting heel/toe raises, toe pick up of towel, toe curls AROM, PROM toe flex/extension, etc. I would progress to more exercises in weight bearing as my patient progresses. Good luck!"

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