I broke my toe and can't tolerate a shoe... now what to wear?

Nurses Stress 101

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Specializes in peds, allergy-asthma, ob/gyn office.

Thursday right before work I broke the left "pinky" toe. I only had a few minutes before I needed to get to work. I iced it, took 600 mg of ibuprofen, and tried to put a shoe on. No dice. Fortunately, only one of our docs was in...and young and really laid back. I wore Yellowbox flip flops to work and brought my Nike's... in hopes to try later... no luck. The doc buddy taped the toe, which made it hurt worse so we took it off.

Today I went to urgent care due to further bruising, just to be sure it was a simple fracture... and it is. The doc there said he is not a fan of buddy taping. Just wear sturdy shoes. He also gave me a post op shoe, but I find it really awkward to walk in... like I'll likely end up tripping or something. I do not see wearing that while running my backside off all day.

Luckily I do not have to be at work till Tuesday ( ob/gyn clinic) Wondering if I should buy something else just in case my foot won't go in a shoe by then. I really felt stupid at work in flip flops. Suggestions?

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Yes. Wear the post-op shoe. You'll get used to it, and in a couple of days you'll be running up and down the halls in it as if it were a regular shoe. I had to wear one for a couple of months after fracturing the base of my R big toe earlier this year, and I was a state surveyor which meant being on my feet cruising the halls of nursing homes 8 hours a day. It can be done. Not comfortably, to be sure, but it can be done. :)

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Specializes in Home Care.

Last fall I stubbed my baby toe. The pain was terrible. I managed to fracture one of the small bones behind the toe. It took 2 months to heal. All I could do was wear super sturdy shoes. I did get a cortisone shot and that helped for a few weeks. But getting the shot in the foot was in itself an intolerable amount of pain for 60 seconds

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Specializes in ortho, hospice volunteer, psych,.

My husband had foot surgery and was sent home in a post-op shoe that was a white one. He gave it two weeks before he decided he wouldn't wear it any more. Fortunately, his walking shoe hurt like crazy. He was supposed to wear his post-op shoe for six weeks. I checked Amazon and they had an orthopedic shoe that had the same support but was black and looked like a sandal. It had a Velcro

closure across the instep. I thought they'd provide support without pressure on his swollen toes.

Would something like that work?

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

That's the one I had. At least it went with my other black shoe, which was all I ever wore when I went out on survey. I've had occasion to wear it a couple of times since, because the blasted toe STILL hurts even 6 months later and if I wear soft-soled shoes too much, I have to wear the post-op shoe for a couple of days because my foot swells up and I can't get a regular shoe on. I wonder if the dumb thing will ever heal properly??

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Specializes in ortho, hospice volunteer, psych,.

If I say your toe will always hurt, you'll come cross country after me or put out a contract on me! :android: :nailbiting: Just kidding ...I think!

I broke a toe when I was a kid and it still aches before it rains. But hurt all the time? No. I don't know why toes take so long to heal, but they do.

Have your husband keep an eye on how our shoe looks, compared to when it was new because they do wear out eventually. When they won't stay as snug and tight as you made them when you put them on, they're wearing out. If they feel more comfortable than supportive, then they're probably about ready to be replaced.

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Specializes in peds, allergy-asthma, ob/gyn office.

Still crossing my fingers for a miraculous recovery by Tuesday... failing that I will try the post op shoe. I just realized one reason I probably found it awkward is because the other foot had a flip flop on.... too much height difference. Probably ok with a Nike on one and post op on the other. Around the house I have been in yellowbox flip flops, which have a sturdy bottom and they feel ok. Why do I always do this right before work? Last did it 20 yrs ago while getting ready for hospital shift. Went on in to work and had pts and two opposite ends of hall of course.

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Specializes in peds, allergy-asthma, ob/gyn office.

Found the answer.... crocs! I probably only get away with this because I work in a private practice.. no hard and fast dress code.

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My mother broke her toe and could not wear any shoe either. First of all, she wore flip flops but as it got colder she could not wear them. After that, she couldn't wear her slippers either because it squeezed her toe. I would recommend buying some loose, comfortable slippers that don't tighten your toes. The bad part is, with my mom, she also broke her ankle. She managed to wear a sneaker without tightening the laces. She slipped her foot in and did not tie the laces tight at all. I hope this helped. Good luck

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
MiriamClarnene said:
My mother broke her toe and could not wear any shoe either. First of all, she wore flip flops but as it got colder she could not wear them. After that, she couldn't wear her slippers either because it squeezed her toe. I would recommend buying some loose, comfortable slippers that don't tighten your toes. The bad part is, with my mom, she also broke her ankle. She managed to wear a sneaker without tightening the laces. She slipped her foot in and did not tie the laces tight at all. I hope this helped. Good luck

Considering this occurred over two years ago and the OP responded that Crocs worked for her employment situation. Most nurses cannot wear slippers in any work environment

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