Okay, I think I can finally say I've a bit of expertise in a particular area--too bad it's thanks to my own klutziness.

I lost a fingernail as a child, just due to regular horsing around and play, and I was fascinated by the entire process--from the original nail discoloring and falling off, to the new nail coming in right under it. I remember preferring the new nail to the one I'd lost, 'cause it seemed to grow in in a more adult, sophisticated shape. To this day, it's longer and slightly more slender than my other fingernails.

Damaged another fingernail slicing a piece of cake on a slippery surface. That left me with a fun little scar, and a nail that grows in with a pronounced ridge. It took me awhile to like that one, but I do now.

Lost a toenail jumping for joy when I'd thought I was in line for some hard-to-get concert tickets. I wound up with a lot of blood on the floor of several rooms of the house, but alas, no tickets. That nail grew in tougher than the others for years, and in a very odd shape. It has only begun to normalize over the last year or so.

I'm sorry you've broken your toe, Skully, and I wish you a speedy recovery. Keep the nail bandaged and clean--all the very common sense approaches to helping an injury of this nature heal. I'd let it get some air now and again while you're at rest. Losing the nail(s) wasn't what hurt in my case--the pain was always from the initial injury. Feel better soon and please keep us posted!