There are 26 bones in your foot. Nineteen of these bones are located in your toes. As a result, your toe bones -- including your little toe -- may become injured at some point. If not treated correctly, a broken little toe can lead to deformity and chronic pain. Physical therapy exercises may be used to increase strength, flexibility and range of motion in your little toe.
Range of Motion Exercise
Take your little toe through its entire range of motion. Use the fingers of one of your hands to slowly bend your injured toe joint. Gently bend each joint of your little toe and straighten your toe out using your hand. Never bend your little toe to the point where you are experiencing pain. Only bend your toe as far as you can comfortably take it. Hold your toe in each position for a count of five seconds. Complete this exercise 10 times. For maximum results, complete three times daily.
Toe Walking
Toe walking can help increase the strength in your toes as you recover from a broken little toe. Raise up onto the tips of your toes -- while barefoot. Raise as high up on your toes as possible. Walk on your toes for 15 to 20 seconds at a time. Try walking across a room. After 15 to 20 seconds, take a 20 second rest period. Complete one set of eight repetitions. As your toes become stronger, try to add five to 10 seconds onto the amount of time you spend walking on your toes.
Toe Spreads
Strengthen and increase the range of motion of your little toe by completing a toe spreading exercise. Sit or stand with your affected foot positioned flat on the floor and your toes in a relaxed position. Gently spread your toes apart as far as you can comfortably take them. Hold this position for five seconds. Relax and return your toes to the starting position. Repeat 10 times. As your little toe becomes stronger, aim to complete two sets of 10 repetitions. Complete this exercise three times each day.
Towel Pick-Up
Help increase strength and flexibility in your little toe joint with a towel pick-up exercise. Sit in a chair with your back straight, knees bent and your feet positioned flat on the ground. Place a towel flat on the floor underneath your affected foot. Keep your heel on the ground and curl your toes to pick the towel up with your foot. Release and straighten the towel out using your toes. Complete this exercise in two sets of 10 repetitions. If this exercise becomes too easy for you, place a book or light hand weight on the towel -- 1 to 3 lbs. -- to make the exercise more challenging.
