Throbbing pain in the toe is the first sign that it may be broken. You may also hear the bone break at the time of injury. A broken bone, also called a fracture, may also cause swelling at the break.

Does a fracture cause throbbing?

If you have a broken foot, you may experience some of the following signs and symptoms: Immediate, throbbing pain. Pain that increases with activity and decreases with rest.

What is worse a fracture or a break?

There's no difference between a fracture and a break. A fracture is any loss of continuity of the bone. Anytime the bone loses integrity—whether it's a hairline crack barely recognizable on an X-ray or the shattering of bone into a dozen pieces—it's considered a fracture.