- With Mayo Clinic physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist
Edward R. Laskowski, M.D.
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Edward R. Laskowski, M.D.
Edward R. Laskowski, M.D.
Dr. Edward Laskowski is certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and is a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine. He is co-director of the Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine Center and a professor at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine.
He has been on the staff of Mayo Clinic since 1990 and specializes in sports medicine, fitness, strength training and stability training. He works with a multidisciplinary team of physical medicine, rehabilitation and orthopedic specialists, physical therapists and sports psychologists.
Dr. Laskowski is an elite-level skier and approaches sports medicine from the perspective of a physician and an athlete. In addition to skiing, he is an avid hiker, cyclist and climber.
In 2006, President George W. Bush appointed Dr. Laskowski to a two-year term on the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
Dr. Laskowski was a member of the medical staff of the Olympic Polyclinic at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and was involved in medical coverage for the Chicago Marathon. He serves as a consulting physician to the National Hockey League Players' Association and is a featured lecturer at the American College of Sports Medicine's Team Physician Course.
Dr. Laskowski, a Cary, Ill., native, has contributed to Mayo Clinic's CD-ROM on sports, health and fitness, a Web site guide to self-care, and hundreds of Mayo Clinic articles and booklets in print and online. He is a contributing editor to Mayo Clinic's "Fitness for EveryBody" book.
"There are many myths and misconceptions about exercise and fitness in general, and also many traditions that don't stand up to scientific scrutiny," he says. "My goal is to provide the most up-to-date and accurate information on sports medicine and fitness topics in a way that you can practically incorporate into your life."
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Question
Broken toe: How is it treated?
I think I have a broken toe. I was jogging and tripped over the curb. My toe is purple and swollen and looks crooked. What should I do?
Answer
from Edward R. Laskowski, M.D.
You may have a broken toe (toe fracture). So you should see your doctor. An X-ray can help differentiate a fracture from a bruise or sprain, which requires less time to heal.
Toe fractures usually heal well with rest and protection of the injured joint. To reduce pain and swelling and to help your broken toe heal properly:
- Avoid activities that increase the pain or swelling.
- Apply ice to the injured area for up to 20 minutes, several times a day.
- Elevate your foot above the level of your heart to reduce swelling.
If needed, over-the-counter pain relievers also can help reduce pain. Casting usually isn't needed for a broken toe. But your doctor may give you a rigid shoe with a rocker bottom sole to wear for a few weeks to protect the joint and make walking more comfortable. If the break is badly displaced or the joint is affected, surgery may be needed.
A broken toe may take four to six weeks to heal, depending on the location and extent of the injury.
