Question
My third toe, left foot is fractured (not displaced). Fracture runs from mid-toe down to the base of the toe/joint.  Some days are much more tolerable than others.  Some days the pain in the joint area is acute to the touch and upon certain movement.  I do have the toe taped/wrapped to the fourth toe.  My regular exercise is indoor cycling.  The ortho doctor told me it was okay to continue this.  I am wondering, however, if this might be preventing the toe from healing properly?  Indoor cycling/"spinning" classes do include standing on the pedals from time-to-time, which I have experimented with as is tolerable.  Should I refrain from the standing position all together?  Would this be primarily why the joint area remains so tender? Or, would pain in the joint be normal throughout the healing process as the fracture is down to the joint?  Initial injury was on 8/3/09, with some re-injury on 8/12/09.  Slight differences in taping the toes also seems to contribute to the level of discomfort -- should I wrap toes two, three and four together?  Thanks for your time!

Answer
You need to strap the toe to stop movement of the fracture site.
You should also wrap the ball of the foot-which will produce additional stability around the fracture site. Use a mini ace warp on the toe-this will help with the tendinitis of the tendons around the toe.
Modify all activity until your toe stops saying "owe." Only then can it heal
If it's not hurting then it can heal in as little as 3 weeks-otherwise can nag up to six months
Be very grateful that you only have some discomfort.
Good Luck
Dr George Tsatsos-Chicago & Elmhurst Podiatrist
Board Certified in Foot & Ankle Surgery & Orthopedics
AnkleNFoot.com