How do you buddy tape your big toe

Your injured toe may need to be buddy-taped for 2 to 4 weeks to heal. If your injured toe hurts more after buddy taping it, remove the tape. In rare cases, other treatment may be needed, including: Protecting the toe from additional injury.

For your toes, always tape the injured toe to the neighboring toe closest to your big toe. However, avoid buddy taping the big toe. If you injure your toe closest to the big toe, tape it to the middle toe. If you’ve injured your big toe, you can tape it by itself to help stabilize it, if necessary.

Rest as much as possible and avoid putting pressure on your foot. Wear shoes with padding or a stiff sole for protection and support. Apply a cold compress a few times per day and take NSAIDs to relieve pain and inflammation. Severely broken toes may require a walking cast or surgery.