do i need to get medical treatment for a broken big toe? . dropped a large glass bottle on my big toe five days ago almost certain it's broken but how necessary is it too go to a doctor? . i'm currently traveling around europe (in croatia now) so finding a doctor may be hard. the toe is swollen bruised and the joint doesn't move much. the real concern to me is that there's a spot just below the knuckle that feels like there's bone closer to the surface than it ought to be bruising also appears to be spreading. doctor or no doctor?
medical care in croatia is certainly available and highly affordable so i opt for the medical visit to be sure. while there may be little to do for a broken toe other than buddy-taping it to the adjacent uninjured toe there are incidents where fractures through the joint (or growth plate --- sorry i don't know your age) or very displaced fractures can cause considerable pain and perhaps problems later on if it is not properly treated. if a simple x-ray shows that it is not broken. or the fracture is very minor you can relax and enjoy your travels perhaps a little slower but at least with more confidence.