A fractured toe is a break in the bone in your toe. Your toes consist of 14 bones, or phalanges. There are three phalanges in your small toes and two in your big toe. You can either have a traumatic fracture or a stress fracture. A traumatic fracture usually results from a direct blow to the toe and a stress fracture is a hairline factor that results from repetitive stress. Regardless of your type of fracture, it is advised to rest your toe until it heals -- meaning you should not run on a current fracture.
Symptoms
When you stub or drop something on one of your toes, not only to you feel immediate pain but you can get a traumatic fracture that will make running difficult. According to Foot Health Facts, a website operated by the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, fractures of the toes tend to be traumatic fractures. Pain occurs initially and possibly lasts for hours after the event occurs. You may also have a deformed toe and swelling and bruising the next day.
Treatment
Treatment of a toe fracture depends on the extent of the injury. If you suspect a fracture, you should make an appointment with your doctor to have it evaluated. At home you need to take the weight off your foot, elevate it and apply ice or a cold pack as soon as you can. According to the Sports Injury Clinic, a minor fracture in a small toe may not require medical treatment or set you back from your daily routine for any length of time. A more complex injury or a great toe fracture may require a walking boot, more rest for healing -- two to four weeks -- or immobilization of the injured toe.
Running
Your feet hit the ground approximately 800 times per mile, according to Cool Running. This type of beating will put a lot of stress on a fractured toe. Since the initial treatment for a fractured toe is rest and elevation, resuming a running regimen with a fracture is not advisable. If your fracture has healed and you have allowed the appropriate amount of time for recovery -- this will vary depending on the injury -- resuming running is probably fine.
Risks
Foot Health Facts indicates that improper treatment of a fractured toe can cause permanent toe deformity, arthritis, chronic pain or a complete failure to heal. These are reasons why it is so important to restrain from running on a fracture. Seek medical advice before resuming running.
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