Printable View
Has any one suffered from this at the base of their big toe? Just been told I've got this in my right foot.
Can't seem to find advice that points towards helping recovery or preventing it getting worse, Everything seems to be towards pain prevention and advice if you're sedentary. I am quite happy to carry on with the pain, and certainly am not going to sit around on my backside, but would like to know if I can do anything to improve it!
Cheers
Kat
Hi Kat
Not much they can do about this, I was told I had this 10 years ago, but I am still running so it's not the end of the world, it's bad after running on soft ground as your toe will be bending and you don't notice until after the race, then it's tablets for 2-3 days. I still enjoy my running so don't give in to it.
I have this in both big toes and am under a consultant. Have been running with it for about 8 years, cosultant impressed last year when I told him I had done the London Marathon.
Managed with orthotics and try stay away from ibuprofen. I can't even walk on sand in bare feet. Can't wear wellies or safety boots because my foot won't bend enough.
Get some good advice and just carry on as much as possible.
My left foot has HR (we could do a three legged race!) and amongst other things it has slowed me up a bit. I had started acupuncture, which did relieve some of the ongoing pain, but had to stop for other problems and now just do some physio on the joint to delay it seizing up completely. There are operation options, you'd need someone qualified or an ex patient to comment on the success/failure side. Unlike Wycoller, I'm less pained on soft sand as the offending toe meets less force trying to bend it.
I have it on both sides. It hurts like buggary day after a race and my feet won't win any beauty competitions! But I just live with it. If you do a forum search, there was a previous thread about this with many more experiences on there for you to read about. Bodies wear out, Fact. I'm just grateful its not me hip or knee.
Thanks for your replies guys. Good to hear what others think. I'm kinda getting my head around the fact that I'm going to have to live with it. I know its not the end of the world by a long way and it isn't that bad yet, but all other injuries, niggles and illnesses I've ever had have had a prognosis of full recovery, given time and the right treament!! I guess although I'm not yet 35, the body is starting to get into a well used and abused stage!!
Chris K - I'd be interested in knowing what physio exercises you do - I'm not going to do them without seeking professional help myself but it would be useful to know.
I seem to have stabilised it a bit, as I haven't been able to climb for 5 weeks but managed an evening out last night with little or no pain - the last few weeks I've not been able to even put my foot on the rock in a climbing boot without significant pain. Yet I didn't really have any problems after running Borrowdale?! Had a look at all my shoes - general assessment - they're all knackered... and been using ice followed by a heat pad.
I do have damaged poor circulation in my toes from cross country skiing in very cold conditions as a teenager (ah the stupidities of youth!!) which probably doesn't help.
Kat
Kat, sent you a pm.
The only positive thing is that it gets less painful as it gets worse! Basically its the movement in the toe joint that hurts and when it is almost seized up like mine then there isn't much pain.
I just manipulate my toe manually and also do ankle exercise such as drawing letters with my toes, both recommended by the podiatric consultant. He pulls my toe as hard as he can, but I can't repeat that - the nurse nearly fainted one time when he did it.