What to Do for a Broken Toe

Q. I broke my toe 7 weeks ago and have been keeping it "buddy taped." How long do I have to do this? I recently had a hip replacement on the same side as the bum toe, and need others to tape it.
-- Susan Sandusky, OH

A. Broken toes are as pervasive as iPods. Tripping over the doorstep, dropping a frozen turkey on your foot, kicking the tires on a new snow blower . . . there are countless ways to fracture one of your 26 little toe bones.

You rarely need a cast for a simple toe fracture unless it's the big toe, and not always then. Enter buddy taping: supporting the injured toe by gently taping it to the one next to it, after placing some gauze or cotton between 'em to prevent blisters.

It should be fine for you to stop the buddy taping. Simple toe fractures take about 6 weeks to heal, as long as nothing goes awry. You'd know if it had.

Next step (bad doctor joke): Start easing your way back into shoes. Just try to avoid anything snug for about 3 months or your toe will throw a fit. When your toe (and your hip) is ready to take a real walk, make sure you've got the best walking shoes for you.

Once your toe's 100%, here's how to get your feet in the pink again.