Soccer is a high-impact sport with plenty of sudden stops and turns, changes in directions and direct contact with other players. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, more than 477,500 soccer-related injuries are seen in hospitals and doctor's offices annually, and many of these injuries are toe fractures. A toe fracture should be evaluated by a physician prior to resuming play.
Symptoms
If you broke your toe during a soccer game, you will likely be able to recall exactly when you injury occurred. You might have heard a popping or breaking sound out the time of your injury. Your toe might be painful, appear swollen or bruised and present with an abnormal appearance. Just because you are able to walk on your toe toes not mean it is not broken.
Treatment
A broken toe is diagnosed through a physical examination and X-ray. The treatment of a broken toe depends largely on the severity of the injury. For mild fractures, rest -- including refraining from soccer -- might be all that is needed. Your doctor might also buddy tape your broken toe to a neighboring toe for support. You might also be required to wear a stiff-soled surgical shoe until your toe heals. For severe, displaced fractures, surgery may be required. A surgeon will use pins or screws to reposition your affected toe.
Prevention
It is hard to predict when a toe fracture will occur during a soccer game because they are often the result of a traumatic injury. However, you can take some precautions to reduce the risk of a toe fracture. Wear soccer shoes with molded cleat or ribbed soles. Players who wear shoes with screw-in cleats are more likely to sustain injury. However, screw-in cleats are recommended, by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, for play on wet fields. Performing foot and toe exercises can help to strengthen you toes.
Considerations
Failing to treat a broken toe and continuing with soccer play can have a negative affect on your health. You should not return to soccer until you have your doctor's permission. Failing to treat a broken toe can result in chronic pain, deformity, arthritis, decreased range of motion, difficulty wearing shoes or failure for the fracture to heal or a non-union fracture. A non-union fracture can lead to chronic pain and often requires surgery to fix. Chronic pain can make playing soccer to the best of your ability very difficult.
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