Expert Foot & Ankle Treatment from Michigan’s #1 Podiatrist - Balance Foot & Ankle Specialist
Broken Foot or Toe 7 Must Do Tips
Foot Sprain | Stress Fracture
Protect Your Recovery with Simple at-home Steps and Expert Podiatry Advice
Do you have a broken foot, broken ankle, sprained foot, sprained ankle, or stress fracture? We review the TOP 27 MUST DO treatments!
This video will focus on foot fracture recovery time & ankle fracture recovery time!
0:00 Broken Foot Recovery Time & Broken Ankle Recovery Time
1:30 Diagnosis
2:37 Causes: Foot Stress Fracture, Broken Foot & Broken Ankle
3:13 Broken Foot & Ankle Recovery Time
3:40 Broken Foot Recovery Time
4:10 Ice
5:30 Bone healing time & Broken Ankle Recovery Time
6:30 Not getting better
7:08 Can I Drive?
8:05 Can I walk?
8:30 Scooters Review
9:08 Iwalk 3.0 Review
9:50 Wheelchair
10:16 Crutches
10:58 Boot or cast
11:30 Even-up shoe review
11:50 Surgical shoe review
12:40 Medical walking boot
13:11 Shower bag for walking boot
13:55 Plan out your house
14:40 Blood clots
15:10 Disability & going to work
15:55 Ankle Braces
18:15 Best Shoes
18:40 Best orthotics
19:20 Biomechanical exam
20:30 Shockwave therapy
22:10 Overpronation pain
23:10 Massage & rehabilitation
23:40 Stretches & physical therapy
Broken Foot or Toe? 17 Must-Do Tips for a Faster, Safer Recovery
Learn the essential steps you should take immediately after injury and during healing to reduce pain, speed recovery, and prevent long-term complications.
A broken foot or toe can turn even simple daily tasks into a painful challenge. Whether you dropped something heavy, misjudged a step, or injured yourself during activity, what you do *after* the break makes a big difference in how fast and well you recover. Below are 17 must-do tips to help you protect your foot, heal faster, and avoid long-term problems.
17 Must-Do Tips for a Broken Foot or Toe
1. Stay Off the Foot Immediately
Put weight on it and you risk shifting the bone. Use crutches or hop until you can be evaluated.
2. Apply Ice (Don’t Freeze Your Skin!)
Use a wrapped ice pack for 15–20 minutes on, 20 minutes off, to control swelling and pain.
3. Elevate Above Your Heart
Prop your foot up with pillows to help reduce swelling and throbbing.
4. Get an X-Ray ASAP
Even if it seems “just bruised” — only an X-ray can confirm a fracture and its severity.
5. Wear a Medical Boot or Stiff Shoe
Immobilizing the foot stops movement and protects broken bones so they heal in the right position.
6. Don’t Try to Tape It Yourself
Incorrect taping can push bones out of alignment or cut off circulation.
7. Take Medications Exactly as Prescribed
Ibuprofen or Tylenol can help with pain, but follow doctor instructions to avoid masking serious symptoms.
8. Keep Swelling Down
Compression wraps may be used (only if instructed by a professional) to keep swelling to a minimum.
9. Avoid Walking Barefoot (Even at Home)
Unstable flooring or accidental bumps can worsen the break.
10. Eat for Healing
Get plenty of protein, calcium, vitamin D, and magnesium to support bone repair.
11. Don’t Smoke or Vape
Nicotine dramatically slows bone healing and increases the risk of complications.
12. Follow Your Podiatrist’s Activity Schedule
Rest means rest. Returning to activity too early is the #1 reason fractures fail to heal properly.
13. Watch for Signs of Infection
Redness, warmth, fever, and drainage could indicate infection — especially if the skin was broken.
14. Keep Your Follow-Up Visits
Monitoring healing progress helps ensure your bones are lining up and mending correctly.
15. Ask When You Can Start Gentle Movement
Controlled exercises help restore flexibility and strength, but only when your doctor approves it.
16. Use Supportive Footwear When Transitioning Out of the Boot
Rigid, cushioned shoes protect the bones as you get back to walking.
17. Be Patient — Healing Takes Time
Most broken feet/toes take 4–8 weeks to mend. Rushing back too soon can lead to re-fracture or arthritis later.
See a podiatrist if you have a specific foot, ankle, or health problem. This information is NOT specific to your medical problem.
LINKS
(With some links, we use affiliate links and may earn a commission. Check with your doctor before using any product!)
Best Rollator Walkers with Seat:
Even Up Shoe Leveler (Amazon)
Best Heavy-Duty Rollator Walker (Amazon)
Best Heavy Duty Seated Rollator Walker (Amazon)
Best Budget Rollator Walker (Amazon)
Best All-Terrain Rollator Walker (Amazon)
Best Review Amazon Walker (Amazon)
Best Fracture Gear & Scooters:
Best Tall Aircast Boot (Amazon)
Best Short Aircast Boot (Amazon)
Aircast Sock (Amazon)
Best Shoe Level (Opposite Foot) (Amazon)
Shoe Cover (For Walking) (Amazon)
Shower Cover for Cast (Amazon)
Best Knee Scooter (Amazon)
Best Budget Knee Scooter (Amazon)
Orthotics:
Best Overall Orthotic (Amazon)
Best Heavy Duty Orthotic (Amazon)
Best Women’s Orthotic (Amazon)
Best sub $25 Soft Orthotic (Amazon)
Best sub $25 Budget Orthotic (Amazon)
Massage & Pain Relief:
Best Compression Sleeves (Amazon)
Best Budget Compression Ankle Brace (Amazon)
Exercises & Stretches:
Best Ankle Stretch Incline Board (Amazon)
Best Budget Stretching Device (Amazon)
Best Ankle Pain Braces:
Best Overall Ankle Stability Brace (Amazon)
Best Overall Compression Ankle Brace (Amazon)
Best Budget Ankle Stability Brace (Amazon)
Best Budget Compression Ankle Brace (Amazon)
Disclaimer: This video and description contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click on one of the product links. Thank you for your support of this channel!
This is opinion only:
For the viewer or reader: Do not consider this video a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We strongly urge you to contact your physician with any questions regarding your medical condition. If you have an emergency, call 911 immediately or see your physician. Do not allow this information to let you disregard your professional’s medical advice or delay seeking information from this content. Do not rely on information provided by this general education video.
Healthcare practitioners: The content here is for education purposes only. The authors have done their best to provide the most up-to-date, evidence-based information, but this content should definitely not be considered any type of medical standard. It does not reflect individual practices in other geographic areas.
This is strictly for medical education purposes only, and it is not intended for diagnosis or treatment. The information in these videos is the author’s opinion and is not an official opinion of any organizations that the authors may be a part of. The authors or speakers are not associated with any of the above products.
Walk This Way: Trusted Foot & Ankle Information
Learn what’s hurting and how to fix it.
Why Choose Balance Foot & Ankle Specialist in Howell and Bloomfield Hills?
Our experienced podiatric surgeons combine precision, care, and innovation to deliver successful outcomes in flatfoot reconstruction. With modern facilities, patient education, and compassionate care, we’ve become the trusted choice for foot and ankle surgery in Southeast Michigan. We’re committed to restoring your stride—comfortably and confidently.
Broken Foot or Toe - Frequently Asked Questions
Signs of a fracture include severe pain, swelling, bruising, difficulty walking, and inability to move the toe or foot normally. The only way to confirm a break is with an X-ray.
Stop putting weight on the injured foot or toe, apply ice, elevate it, and seek prompt medical evaluation from a podiatrist or urgent care clinic.
No — walking on a suspected fracture can move the bones out of alignment, worsen the injury, and delay healing.
Treatment may include taping or splinting toes, wearing a stiff shoe or walking boot, keeping weight off the area, and in some cases, surgery if the bones are displaced.
Most fractures heal within 4–8 weeks, depending on severity and adherence to treatment. Certain breaks may take longer if complicated or left untreated.
Surgery may be required if the bones are misaligned, involve a joint, have multiple fragments, or do not heal correctly with conservative treatment.
Sometimes, yes — movement doesn’t rule out a fracture. Many people can wiggle a broken toe or walk on a broken foot, which is why medical imaging is important.
Untreated fractures can heal incorrectly, causing chronic pain, deformity, arthritis, and difficulty walking long-term.