I posted about a week ago about stubbing my big toe. When I did it, it immediatly turned my nail blue and my toe red. I was in so much pain for about 4 hours. The pain subsided and a few days later it started seeping a clear\red liquid. After it drained it turned snow white. I went to the doctor, got antibiotics, pain meds, and was told that the nail would probebly come off in a few weeks.
Well, starting 2 days ago I could'nt sleep because of the darn thing. The pain has returned. Yesterday it woke me up throbbing. Mind you, it's been about 3 weeks since the injury. I decided to get xrays so I went to the ER. Yesterday I could barely walk, the pain was a constant throb, the cold air hitting it makes it hurt worse. I was in tears in the ER, because I was afraid that they would want to remove the nail. By the way the nail is no longer white, it has got blue through it again.
They took x-rays, said nothing is broken! I was shocked. They said I just have a bruised toe! I asked why in the world would it still hurt this bad after 3 weeks! They agreed that was a little odd. But did nothing. Tried to send me home with Motrin, but I cried and told them that it is'nt helping..that the other doctor sent me home with Motrin. So they gave me a perscription of Ultrim. That works some. Today the toe still hurts but not as bad. The pain seems to come and go. Putting on my shoe is pure torture.
Should pain from a bruise last this long? Could I maybe have done something else to it that x-rays would'nt show? I just have a hard time understanding how there can be nothing wrong with it.
Any ideas? If it is just bruised I feel like a big cry baby over nothing.

By Christylee on Monday, January 24, 2005 - 11:40 am:

I would definatly follow up with another doctor, either the one you went to first or maybe even a orthopedic doctor.

Hope you find out what is going on.

By My2cuties on Monday, January 24, 2005 - 11:42 am:

I am sure it does hurt, I can't really help out but I wanted to say, if at all possible try to get a pair of flip flops or some kind of shoe that you don't have to cover your toe. (((hugs))) I know I would be a cry baby about it.

By Yjja123 on Monday, January 24, 2005 - 12:15 pm:

I stubbed my little toe a while back (literally ran into a piece of furniture). It remained swollen for two months! It was not broken just badly bruised. The throbbing lessened after a month but it did take a long time to heal. I found that taping it to the toe next to it relieved the pain.
Good luck!

By Karen~moderator on Monday, January 24, 2005 - 12:46 pm:

I would think that a pain from a *simple* bruise wouldn't last that long. If I were you, I'd go to a podiatrist. You may actually be better off if they go ahead and remove the nail. They would numb your toe first. Think about it, OK?

By Palmbchprincess on Monday, January 24, 2005 - 04:41 pm:

I know that deep bruising can hurt for weeks, but I agree with Karen about going and possibly getting the nail removed. Shane's foot healed SO much better after the doctor took off the nail (he was under general, but you will probably get just a block). His skin was cut badly under the nail and needed a couple stitches, but the healing was a breeze, even with the fracture.

By Karen~moderator on Monday, January 24, 2005 - 07:04 pm:

After thinking about what I posted above about a *simple* bruise hurting that long, I want to correct myself. 6 years ago I dropped a large Corningware dish on my foot. It badly bruised one foot and then I injured the big toe on the other foot and got an infection. When you posted about this previously on another thread, I think I mixed those 2 things up in my mind. Two separate things, both of my feet. Both at the same time.

Point being - I went to the podiatrist because I was *certain* my foot was broken. It wasn't, this was 2-3 weeks later and it WAS pain from *just* a bruise. The toe thing was something else altogether though - I had hit it or something, it was infected, and I lost the nail. The podiatrist WANTED to remove the nail in the office and I was too wimpy and refused. 4 weeks later I lost the nail anyway, but the time in between was miserable.

So you really might be better off getting it removed, it will heal quicker if you do.