- We focus on what has worked for 10,000+ patients & medical research.
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Outside of the Foot Pain [Lateral Foot Pain]
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Sprained Pinky Toe Pain or Broken Pinky Toe? [Best Treatment]
Sprained Pinky Toe or Broken Pinky Toe Pain? STOP continuing to live in pain: Follow these simple steps to make your pain goes away FOREVER!
Look:
- We will show you an animated diagnosis & treatment guide, photos and the best FAST treatment options for pinky toe sprains or breaks.
- These are Simple & EASY options that we have seen success with.
- Also included is our 5th toe sprain or break treatment video guide!
So, Let’s Get STARTED!
This is what a broken toe looks like. This is the 2nd toe. An X ray of the foot is the best way to tell for sure, but even then it is not 100%.
Table of Contents
Outside of the Foot Pain Picture Gallery:
Look:
- Fifth toe pain usually has nothing wrong with the bone unless it has recently been broken. The pain usually results from pressure against the front of the shoe causing a callous or ingrown toenail.
- The fifth toe joint can cause a Tailor’s bunion to occur. This can also result in nerve pain and arthritis of the fifth toe joint.
- The bone connecting to the fifth toe is called the fifth metatarsal. It is possible to develop a stress fracture or “Jones” fracture.
- It is also possible to have pain along the tendons and nerves along the outside of the ankle from pressure against the outside of the shoe.
Click on the photo gallery to see descriptions!
Sprained Pinky Toe vs. Broken Pinky Toe Symptoms:
A sprained pinky toe and broken pinky toe will really hurt for the first couple days. This is the inflammatory response taking place. This does not mean that you have having any permanent damage take place.
The fifth toe is attached to the fifth metatarsal. It is at very high risk for being sprained or broken.Sprained Pinky Toe:
- A sprained pinky toe is damage to the ligaments.
- Pain in the entire pinky toe.
- Possible numbness, burning & tingling due to nerve irritation. This can be more noticeably even at night time.
- Swelling & edema in the entire little toe.
- Swelling & edema in the pinky toe joint.
- Bruising at the bottom of the outside of the foot or pinky toe a day or two later.
Broken Pinky Toe:
- Similar symptoms to the sprained pinky toe , but rather than damage to the ligaments holding the bones together, the actual bone is broken.
- As a general rule, bone damage causes more swelling and bruising than soft tissue injury.
- With a broken pinky toe, these symptoms will be more noticeable and more painful.Although this is not reliable enough to make a true diagnosis.
- The only true way to be able to diagnose a pinky toe fracture is if the toe is clearly displaced.
- Most fractures are not dislocated and simply have a crack but no displacement.
- A broken pinky toe will have more bruising and swelling than a sprained toe.
Summary of Treatment Options for Pinky Toe Injuries:
- Consider these treatment options for your pinky toe pain.
- These are our top choices. Just make sure to pick the right one for your situation!
- Make sure to read below to learn about the conditions first!
Best 5th Toe & Tailor’s Bunion Products:
Best Overall Gel Pad For 5th Toe Pain
Best Low Profile Tailor’s Bunion Gel Pad.
Best Low Profile Option For 4-5th Corn/Interspace Pain.
Best Non-Walking Stretching Option.
Best Tailor’s Bunion(Bunionette) Sock!
Price:
$9.99
$11.95
$5.99
$29.95
$12.99
Overview:
Best Overall Gel Pad: For 5th Toe and Tailor’s Bunion Pain
Good Tailor’s Bunion Gel Pad
Great Option For 4th-5th Toe Webspace Corns.
Great Heavy Duty Toe Separator (Not For Walking)
Price Range: $12+, Good value. Great reviews at 30+ reviews at 4.4/5
Pros:
Helps the 3rd, 4th and 5th toes. Heavy duty. Helps the entire area.
Lower profile, less bulky.
Slim and effective option for rubbing between the 4th and 5th toes.
Excellent reviews, great for stretching while resting.
They can be combined with gel pads as well as shoes and the sock. Another great layer of protection.
Cons:
These are more bulky. Can take up too much room in very slim shoes. These are not a splint! They are for pain relief.
Does not help the 3rd or 4th toe from pinching.
Zero benefit for tailor’s bunions and 5th metatarsal joint pain.
Can’t wear these while walking. Won’t work if you have osteoarthritis. (If your toes don’t bend).
Not perfect and by themselves may not fix your bunionette(tailor’s bunion) pain. They can break down over time.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best 5th Toe & Tailor’s Bunion Products:
Best Overall Gel Pad For 5th Toe Pain
Price:
$9.99
Overview:
Best Overall Gel Pad: For 5th Toe and Tailor’s Bunion Pain
Pros:
Helps the 3rd, 4th and 5th toes. Heavy duty. Helps the entire area.
Cons:
These are more bulky. Can take up too much room in very slim shoes. These are not a splint! They are for pain relief.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best 5th Toe & Tailor’s Bunion Products:
Best Low Profile Tailor’s Bunion Gel Pad.
Price:
$11.95
Overview:
Good Tailor’s Bunion Gel Pad
Pros:
Lower profile, less bulky.
Cons:
Does not help the 3rd or 4th toe from pinching.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best 5th Toe & Tailor’s Bunion Products:
Best Low Profile Option For 4-5th Corn/Interspace Pain.
Price:
$5.99
Overview:
Great Option For 4th-5th Toe Webspace Corns.
Pros:
Slim and effective option for rubbing between the 4th and 5th toes.
Cons:
Zero benefit for tailor’s bunions and 5th metatarsal joint pain.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best 5th Toe & Tailor’s Bunion Products:
Best Non-Walking Stretching Option.
Price:
$29.95
Overview:
Great Heavy Duty Toe Separator (Not For Walking)
Pros:
Excellent reviews, great for stretching while resting.
Cons:
Can’t wear these while walking. Won’t work if you have osteoarthritis. (If your toes don’t bend).
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best 5th Toe & Tailor’s Bunion Products:
Best Tailor’s Bunion(Bunionette) Sock!
Price:
$12.99
Overview:
Price Range: $12+, Good value. Great reviews at 30+ reviews at 4.4/5
Pros:
They can be combined with gel pads as well as shoes and the sock. Another great layer of protection.
Cons:
Not perfect and by themselves may not fix your bunionette(tailor’s bunion) pain. They can break down over time.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Causes Of A Sprained Pinky Toe or Broken Pinky Toe:
Both a sprained pinky toe or a broken pinky toe can be caused by the following:
- A sprained pinky toe usually happens as the big toe is bent backwards.
- This is common when walking barefoot and bumping the 5th toe.
- The pinky toe is not very strong & is easily overcome by a stubbing or forcefully striking an object.
- It is most common while walking barefoot or with tremendous force.
- This toe is the most fragile and smallest of all the toes.
- A broken pinky toe is usually caused with greater force than a simple sprain of the toe.
Is My Pinky Toe Broken Or Sprained?
This is very difficult to say for sure. An X-ray is usually needed for confirmation.
Even on Xray it can be very difficult to see if the toe is broken or sprained. The pinky toe can have arthritis or sometimes even be fused.- The only way to know 100% is to head to your podiatrist’s office or the ER for X-ray imaging.
- There are many cases where a sprained big toe looks worse than a broken toe, although generally really bad bruising and pain are more likely to be a fracture.
- There are other cases where very mild injuries can result in a broken toe.
Think Broken Pinky Toe If:
Crunching noise during the injury.
Severe swelling & bruising.
Complete inability to move the toe.
Obvious deformity.
Think Sprained Toe If:
No cracking or crumpling noise during the time of injury.
No significant bruising or pain.
No obvious damage.
Sprained Pinky Toe vs. Broken Pinky Toe Recovery Time:
There are three grades of sprained pinky toe injuries. The recovery time can very based on what grade of sprain you have. Don’t worry, most sprains are a grade 1 injury.
This is a broken pinky toe or a broken 5th toe.Sprained Pinky Toe Recovery Time:
1) Grade 1 Pinky Toe Sprain:
The joint capsule & soft tissue are simply stretched.
This is the vast majority of pinky toe sprains, no matter how painful they are initially.
This results in a more mild amount of swelling & bruising.
Perform initial treatment as detailed below.
Sprained Pinky Toe Recovery Time: 1-2 weeks.
2) Grade 2 Pinky Toe Sprain:
This is a partial tear of the plantar anatomy.
This results in severe bruising & swelling.
It is usually indistinguishable from a grade 1 sprain early on.
This likely does not need any surgery or intervention.
It is a good idea to head in for precautionary imaging at your podiatrist’s office.
Perform initial treatment as detailed below.
Sprained Pinky Toe Recovery Time: 2-4 weeks.
3) Grade 3 Pinky Toe Sprain:
This is a complete tear of the soft tissue anatomy.
This causes severe swelling & bruising.
There is possible deformity.
This will require a visit to the podiatrist for imaging and intervention.
Sprained Pinky Toe Recovery Time: 2-3 weeks. Will require podiatrist intervention & imaging.
This is a sprained 5th toe.Broken Pinky Toe Recovery Time:
Non-displaced Broken Pinky Toe:
If your pinky toe is not deformed and broken out of place it will be sore for a little while.
Generally it can take a few weeks for the pain to start to go away.
Most people have bruising and pain for more than 6-8 weeks.
It is normal to have a sore toe for even over 3+ months.
See your podiatrist for imaging if it is not starting to get better pretty quickly.
Displaced Broken Pinky Toe:
If you have a deformity or severe bend in your toe this may require some interention.
If you have a displaced toe then you may need a pin to hold it back into place, but usually under imaging a podiatrist or emergency room doctor can pop the toe back into place.
The good news is that even with a broken and displaced pinky toe, you should not really have any long term damage or disability.
A displaced broken pinky toe does require immediate intervention. Go see your podiatrist as soon as possible!
Again this can take up to 3+ months until full recovery is achieved.
Sometimes it can be very obvious. An open fracture is the most dangerous type of break. The risk is that a bacteria can get into the wound and cause a bone infection. Go see a podiatrist immediately.Dislocated Pinky Toe Pain:
- If you have a dislocated or deformed pinky toe this means one of two things: This is either a fractured pinky toe or there is a complete tearing of the joint capsule.
- If this has happened to you, it is very necessary to see your podiatrist or an emergency room doctor very quickly.
- With continued dislocation this can cause more permanent damage to the soft tissue envelope.
- Symptoms and causes will be very similar to that of a severely sprained or broken pinky toe.
Dislocated Pinky Toe Treatment:
There are two treatment options for a dislocated pinky toe:
This is not the 5th toe, but this is dislocated big toe joint with fracture.1)Pinky Toe surgery:
- This involved usually replacing the pinky toe back into position.
- If it does not stay there, it may need to be pinned with a wire.
- This wire can stay in place for up to 4-6 weeks depending on how your toe is healing.
2)Manual re-positioning:
- This re-positioning of the dislocated pinky toe under imaging is generally very successful.
- Fluoroscopy is a live imaging option that we do have available at the emergency room.
Sprained Pinky Toe Treatment:
- Sprained pinky toe treatment generally consists of a few simple things that you can do yourself at home.
- But if you have any concerns about more serious damage, make sure to go see your podiatrist for X-rays and more in depth evaluation.
The 5th toe is the smallest and most vulnerable toe. Make sure it is not getting pinched against the outside of your shoe. This can really cause you some pain!A)Wear a good supportive pair of shoes:
- Getting a good supportive running shoe will take pressure off the pinky toe sprain.
- If you are still feeling pain, you may need a shoe with mesh or soft cloth around the edge of the fifth toe.
- Sometimes if there is stitches or pressure along this site, it can continue to irritate the toe.
- So ideally you will have a good stiff running shoe with mesh non-restrictive cloth surrounding the 5th toe site.
B)Buddy taping:
- Budding taping consists of wrapping the fifth toe joint with tape.
- This is usually more important for the other toes like the big toe, but it can still help for the fifth toe.
- All this does is prevents excess motion of the 5th toe.
- It will not make it heal faster, but it will make the toe have less motion and possibly less damage.
C)Pinky Toe Splint:
- Sometimes a pinky toe splint may be necessary, but this is very very rare!
- Pinky toe splints just are not very practical.
D)Rest:
- There is really no secret to the sprained pinky toe.
- The key is really resting it and giving it a few weeks to get better.
- So if you have a 12 hour shift that you need to work, this may take longer to heal.
Broken Pinky Toe Treatment:
A)Wear a good supportive pair of shoes for you broken baby toe:
- Getting a good supportive running shoe will protect and take pressure off the baby toe sprain. This is similar to treatment for your sprained baby toe.
- If you are still feeling pain, you may need a shoe with mesh or soft cloth around the edge of the fifth toe.
- Sometimes if there is stitches or pressure along this site, it can continue to irritate the toe.
- So ideally you will have a good stiff running shoe with mesh non-restrictive cloth surrounding the 5th toe site.
A pair of good supportive shoes with orthotics are the best treatment options for pinky toe pain. These work great for broken toe pain and for sprained pinky toe pain.B)Buddy taping for your broken baby toe:
- Budding taping consists of wrapping the fifth toe joint with tape.
- This is usually more important for the other toes like the big toe, but it can still help for the fifth toe.
- All this does is prevents excess motion of the 5th toe.
- It will not make it heal faster, but it will make the toe have less motion and possibly less damage.
C)Pinky Toe Splint for broken small toes:
- A pinky toe splint does not really make sense for broken small toes.
- Stick with a good supportive shoe and buddy taping for your treatment.
D)Broken Pinky Toe Cast:
- A broken pinky toe cast does not make sense, just like a pinky toe splint is not very practical.
- Stick with great shoes and buddy taping.
- The only way a broken pinky toe cast is necessary is if you end up needing surgery and have further fractures.
Jones Fracture Treatment:
- A fractured pinky toe is exactly the same as a broken pinky toe or a broken baby toe, these terms basically mean the same thing.
- Treat your fractured pinky toe just like you would the above broken pinky toe.
- If you have a jones or fifth metatarsal fracture which is further up the bone, consider this treatment video.
This bone is called the 5th metatarsal, and if it breaks at the base, this is called a Jones fracture.Outside of the foot & Ankle Treatment:
If your pain is to the outside of the ankle, consider these treatment options to support your ankle pain:
Best Ankle Support Products:
Best Supportive & Post Injury Ankle Brace.
Best Comfortable Everyday Brace.
Best Compression Ankle Brace.
Best Ankle Ice & Pain Relief Device.
Price:
$29.97
$15.95
$22.97
Price not available
Overview:
Our choice for best overall support and stability for ankle injuries. It is meant for heavy duty support, not for daily support, but more recovery from a sprain/pain.
Top choice For low profile athletic & everyday support. Not the most powerful, but very affordable for every day use.
This is the top reviewed choice for daily ankle compression. This is NOT designed for support! This is only for compression – so use it only to control swelling!
Top ankle ice and compression wrap for severe pain. This is meant for more heavy duty pain like severe sprains, severe injury or pain. It may be overkill for some situations.
Pros:
Excellent support. Adjustable straps can support your foot turned in or turned out taking pressure off the injured or sore region. Excellent price and reviews.
They fit in most good shoes with laces (even some slip on shoes – but tighter). They add compression and have stability straps. Stability straps can be very powerful. Good for more regular use.
Excellent and cost effective brace to control ankle swelling. It does what its supposed to very well.
Covers your entire ankle, Achilles tendon and sides of the foot. Great comprehensive option for the foot and ankle pain relief.
Cons:
Won’t fit in all shoes. This is really only for lace-up running shoes or low cut boots. It’s not meant for flats or slip on shoes. So don’t plan on using this in tight shoes! It will make your shoe size increase by atleast 1/2.
These are not the most powerful stability straps. These are meant more for soreness rather than a more significant ankle injury that needs more support.
Most people don’t realize they need ankle support. Compression is not as important as support. It is better to prevent the swelling rather than make it go away. Consider a stability brace first.
Not as straightforward as a frozen bag of peas. Can take a few minutes to set up. Doesn’t cover the ball of the foot. Not really practical to move around in this device.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best Ankle Support Products:
Best Supportive & Post Injury Ankle Brace.
Price:
$29.97
Overview:
Our choice for best overall support and stability for ankle injuries. It is meant for heavy duty support, not for daily support, but more recovery from a sprain/pain.
Pros:
Excellent support. Adjustable straps can support your foot turned in or turned out taking pressure off the injured or sore region. Excellent price and reviews.
Cons:
Won’t fit in all shoes. This is really only for lace-up running shoes or low cut boots. It’s not meant for flats or slip on shoes. So don’t plan on using this in tight shoes! It will make your shoe size increase by atleast 1/2.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best Ankle Support Products:
Best Comfortable Everyday Brace.
Price:
$15.95
Overview:
Top choice For low profile athletic & everyday support. Not the most powerful, but very affordable for every day use.
Pros:
They fit in most good shoes with laces (even some slip on shoes – but tighter). They add compression and have stability straps. Stability straps can be very powerful. Good for more regular use.
Cons:
These are not the most powerful stability straps. These are meant more for soreness rather than a more significant ankle injury that needs more support.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best Ankle Support Products:
Best Compression Ankle Brace.
Price:
$22.97
Overview:
This is the top reviewed choice for daily ankle compression. This is NOT designed for support! This is only for compression – so use it only to control swelling!
Pros:
Excellent and cost effective brace to control ankle swelling. It does what its supposed to very well.
Cons:
Most people don’t realize they need ankle support. Compression is not as important as support. It is better to prevent the swelling rather than make it go away. Consider a stability brace first.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best Ankle Support Products:
Best Ankle Ice & Pain Relief Device.
Price:
Price not available
Overview:
Top ankle ice and compression wrap for severe pain. This is meant for more heavy duty pain like severe sprains, severe injury or pain. It may be overkill for some situations.
Pros:
Covers your entire ankle, Achilles tendon and sides of the foot. Great comprehensive option for the foot and ankle pain relief.
Cons:
Not as straightforward as a frozen bag of peas. Can take a few minutes to set up. Doesn’t cover the ball of the foot. Not really practical to move around in this device.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Other Outside of the Foot Pain Causes:
Skin Problems:
Calluses are thick patches of skin that appear in sites of friction against the shoe, the floor or any other part of the foot. The danger is a blister can form underneath the callus!
A corn looks like a little pebble that can form, they usually even occur with a callus around them. This can be exceptionally painful.
Follow our at home pain relief guides, how to trim your nails properly and even how to remove them permanently.
These occur from stubbing your toe, so learn how to deal with them properly! Is it broken or is it just bruised, find out with this guide.
Bone and Joint Problems:
This is when you toe looks really big and as if though its popping out at the base.
This is when you have a crooked or curved toe.
5th Metatarsal Pain:
- Jones Fracture
- Cavus Foot- Styloid Process Protrusion
- Os Vesalanium
Muscle & Tendon Pain:
Pain in the Small Toes:
Most Likely
- Hammer Toes
- Black or Blood under the Toenail
- Broken Toe
- Swollen Toe
- Foot Corn
- Foot Blisters
- Callus Foot Pain
- Predislocation Syndrome
- Crossing Toes
- Foot Arthritis
- Long Second Toe.
Ball of the foot:
- Capsulitis
- Metatarsalgia
- Morton’s Neuralgia
- Metatarsal stress fracture
- Sesamoiditis
- Predislocation Syndrome
- Turf Toe
- Flexor Tendonitis
- Dislocated Toe
5th Toe
- Tailors bunion
- Cavus Foot
- Swollen Toe
- Jones Fracture
- Peroneus Brevis Tendinitis
Outside of the Foot Pain [Lateral Foot Pain]
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