Five myths about foot care

Myth 4: A doctor can't fix a broken toe.

Reality: Nineteen of the 26 bones in the foot are toe bones. There are things a foot and ankle surgeon can do to make a broken toe heal better and prevent problems later on, such as arthritis or toe deformities.

Broken toes that aren’t treated correctly can also make walking and wearing shoes difficult. A foot and ankle surgeon will x-ray the toe to learn more about the fracture. If the broken toe is out of alignment, the surgeon may have to insert a pin, screw or plate to reposition the bone.

Next myth: Corns have roots.

Page last updated: August 28, 2007