What does it mean when your toe stays black?

[dwhitt]

I fell down some steps, 5 weeks ago, today.  My OS said I didn't need to come back in 4 weeks if my foot seemed better.  He also said I could wear the little orthopedic shoe and in two weeks, I could go into a tennis shoe.  I really had very little pain.  My ankle is still swelling, every night, on both sides of my foot, and one of my toes is black.  My foot is now burning, and everything hurts.  What's going on?  I'm still walking with a limp. Is this going to take a lot longer to get well?

[dwhitt]

From dwhitt

After re-reading what I wrote, I failed to mention that I sprained the left ankle and fractured/chipped the bone on top of my foot.  The doctor said there isn't anything they do for a bone chip.  I was on crutches for 4 days and he said I didn't have to use them, if I didn't want to and I got the little shoe, not the boot, for my foot.  My problem is, I can not stay off my foot anymore.  I have used all of my time up.  I was concerned about my toe being black and continued swelling and still limping.  

[Dr Vinod]

Hello!

You toes can turn black with lack of blood circulation and also due to direct crush injury. I suppose you have nerve involvement as well as you have this burning sensation.

I would suggest you to get an X-ray done to see if you do not have any fractures.

Take anti inflammatory medications and apply ice packs at your ankle joint to decrease the pain and inflammation.

I would suggest you to rest and do not exert on the injured foot and go for weight bearing on the other leg and to follow up with an orthopedician.

Take care!