Well, all of my hard work for the year took a dive last night when I injured my big toe…get this…jumping off the couch after hearing the loudest blood curdling scream from my 11 month old daughter. Now, the important part, my daughter is just fine. I really have no idea how I broke the toe, but know I didn’t kick anything. Anyways, after visits to my regular doctor, getting x-rays to confirm, and then a foot and ankle specialist today, I got the following treatment plan: Four weeks wearing a walking boot Two additional weeks wearing special shoes Can *maybe *start limited running after six weeks.
During this time, no running. The doctor said I could get back on the trainer, then the bike, after four weeks. I did ask him about swimming and aqua running. He says after taking a couple of days off, he will let me swim and aqua run. So, my questions are: Has anyone else experienced a broken big toe, and were they set back this much (did you have to wear a boot for 4 weeks??)? What can I do to keep as much cardio shape as possible? (I was picturing myself doing one leg on the trainer… I was on track to qualify for Boston doing the Miami Marathon in January. Since I will be able to start running again the beginning of November, that should be three months to train. Is that enough? Should I get a second opinion? I have no reason not to trust the specialist I went to…just not sure if there are specialists who are athletes themselves who may be more understanding. (rroof?) I lost 90 lbs four years ago when I got into Triathlon. I haven’t missed more than one day a week working out since. I usually take two days a month off. My biggest concern is making sure I don’t take a turn south and start to put on weight again. Any advice (or motivation) on how to do that with just the limited amount of activity I can do?
OK, enough questions. Just looking for some advice and encouragement. Any feedback from others who have gone through similar situations would be great!
I am pretty sure I have broken or at least done some damage to the bone in my big toe in the past. Like an idiot I never did anything about it and I think because of it, it is now starting to get arthritic. Fortunately, if you have to damage anything, a bad big toe isn’t that bad…at least not yet.
Sorry to hear that! Damn kids I’m kidding, love mine.
Anyway, I’m pretty “lenient” with athlete’s plans as long I don’t think it will hurt them on a more long term basis. But, most likely, your specialist is spot on. To really answer though, need to know: where EXACTLY the fx is, displaced? intra-articular? Can you scan an X-ray, etc. I’m guessing your X-rays were non-weight bearing initially, then weight bearing on an orthoposer at the specialists office, right? Fractures of the great toe/joint look pretty different on/off weight-bearing.
I just had to take a Div 1 CC runner out for the season today after jumping off a wall going for a tennis ball (!) and fracturing his heel. Man I felt worse than he did, and I think he could tell.
Sorry to hear that! Damn kids I’m kidding, love mine.
Anyway, I’m pretty “lenient” with athlete’s plans as long I don’t think it will hurt them on a more long term basis. But, most likely, your specialist is spot on. To really answer though, need to know: where EXACTLY the fx is, displaced? intra-articular? Can you scan an X-ray, etc. I’m guessing your X-rays were non-weight bearing initially, then weight bearing on an orthoposer at the specialists office, right? Fractures of the great toe/joint look pretty different on/off weight-bearing.
I just had to take a Div 1 CC runner out for the season today after jumping off a wall going for a tennis ball (!) and fracturing his heel. Man I felt worse than he did, and I think he could tell.
This means going into a joint, correct? Yes, I believe it is. That was the downside of the break, I believe he said, The upside being it wasn’t displaced.
x-ray?
You are exactly right, non-weight bearing at the normal doctor, and weight bearing at the specialist. I only have the one that is non-weight bearing to scan. Not sure of the quality of the scan. If you can’t see the picture well, let me know and I can e-mail to you or something (it is about 4 MB).
If you swim hard and swim enough, that will keep your cardio shape.
I’ve never broken my big toe, but I’ve had a metatarsal stress fracture - same deal with the six weeks off. Your legs will lose some of their muscular endurange, but it’s highly possible to keep the endurance with the swimming.
As far as not gaining weight, listen to your body and eat when you’re hungry and stop when you’re full. If you make nutritious choices you should be okay. Running and biking burn mega calories, if you’re not doing it just remember that you don’t need to eat as much anymore.
PM sent your way for a better image. But from the looks, a typical, small proximal lateral avulsion at the IPJ. No big deal fracture at all (long term) and I would be “generous” with athletic endeavors with this (well, cycling anyway since you don’t really bend the great toe much in a cycling shoe). This type of injury is analogous to a “turf toe” type injury. Not serious, but can linger with some pain/stiffness for quite a while.
I was on track to qualify for Boston doing the Miami Marathon in January. Since I will be able to start running again the beginning of November, that should be three months to train. Is that enough? Should I get a second opinion? I have no reason not to trust the specialist I went to…just not sure if there are specialists who are athletes themselves who may be more understanding. (rroof?) I lost 90 lbs four years ago when I got into Triathlon. I haven’t missed more than one day a week working out since. I usually take two days a month off. My biggest concern is making sure I don’t take a turn south and start to put on weight again. Any advice (or motivation) on how to do that with just the limited amount of activity I can do?
