Most minor injuries will heal on their own, and home treatment is usually all that is needed to relieve your symptoms and promote healing. But if you suspect that you may have a more severe injury, use first aid measures while you arrange for an evaluation by your doctor.

First aid for a suspected broken bone

• If a bone is sticking out of your skin, do not try to push it back into your skin. It is better to leave the bone alone and cover the area with a clean bandage.
• It is important to control bleeding from your injury.
• Be sure to remove all anklets or rings immediately. It may be difficult to remove the jewelry after swelling occurs, which in turn can cause other serious problems, such as nerve compression or restricted blood flow. See a picture of removing a ring that is stuck .
• Try to free your trapped toe or foot if it is stuck in an object, such as a pipe, toy, or jar.
• Splint your injured area without trying to straighten your injured limb. Loosen the wrap around the splint if you develop signs that indicate the wrap is too tight, such as numbness, tingling, increased pain, swelling, or cool skin below the wrap. A problem called compartment syndrome can develop.

If a cast or splint is applied, it is important to keep it dry and to try to move the uninjured part of your extremity as normally as possible to help maintain muscle strength and tone. Your doctor will give you instructions on how to care for your cast or splint.

Home treatment for a sore or sprained toe

• Use rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) for pain and swelling.
• If you do not have diabetes or peripheral arterial disease, your sore or sprained toe can be "buddy-taped " to your uninjured toe next to it. Protect the skin by putting some soft padding, such as felt or foam, between your toes before you tape them together. Your injured toe may need to be buddy-taped for 2 to 4 weeks to heal. If your injured toe hurts more after buddy-taping it, remove the tape. Then check your symptoms again.

Home treatment for a minor foot or ankle injury

If you have a minor injury, try home treatment measures to relieve pain, swelling, and stiffness.

• Be sure to remove all rings, anklets, or any other jewelry that goes around a leg or ankle. It will be harder to remove the jewelry later if swelling increases.
• Use rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) to relieve pain and swelling. See a picture of how to wrap an ankle .
• Clean a skin wound as soon as possible to help prevent infection, scarring, and tattooing of the skin from dirt left in the wound. The bacteria Pseudomonas is a common cause of infections when a puncture wound occurs through the sole of an athletic shoe.
• Drain blood from under a nail .
• Walk or bear weight on your affected foot as long as it is not painful. If it is painful and the pain continues, check your symptoms again.
• Gently massage or rub the area to relieve pain and encourage blood flow. Do not massage the injured area if it causes pain.
• For the first 48 hours after your injury, avoid things that might increase swelling in the injured area, such as hot showers, hot tubs, hot packs, or alcoholic beverages.
• After 48 to 72 hours, if your swelling is gone, apply heat and begin gentle exercise to help restore and maintain flexibility. Some experts recommend alternating between heat and cold treatments (contrast baths).
• Start exercises using the MSA process (gentle exercise). MSA stands for movement, strength, and alternate activities.
  • Movement. Resume a full range of motion as soon as possible after an injury. After 24 to 48 hours of rest, begin moving the injured area. Stop any activity if it causes pain, and give the injured area more rest. Gentle stretching will prevent scar tissue formation that may decrease movement.
  • Strength. As soon as the swelling is gone and range of motion is restored, begin gradual efforts to strengthen the injured area.
  • Alternate activities. After the first few days but while the injury is still healing, phase in regular exercise using activities or sports that do not place a strain on the injured area. If certain activities cause pain, stop doing those activities but continue doing your other exercises.