Toe nail injury

[Run_rabbit_run]

Hello! I wasn’t sure how much to share here as I am aware the topic of nails particularly on the feet can be a squeamish matter for some…however, I thought it was the best place to reach out for any encouragement, advice, and thoughts.

I’d love to tell you that I ran a marathon which resulted in a toe nail injury but the truth is I was just lifting a side table over to my friend to rest her cuppa on and the table slipped out of my grip and fell right onto my left foot! I somehow managed not to yelp/scream and even wriggled my toes to see if I had broken them and as I hobbled to the sofa to take a seat, I noticed blood seeping under each step.

I won’t go into detail what happened when I gently took my sock off (thank goodness I had worn ridiculously fluffy thick socks!) but essentially 111 told me to head to A&E where the nurses advised I just go home and regularly bathe my foot and dress the worst injured toe and that the nail would come off over time. When asked if I could drive or run, they said if I feel fine then yes - they all just looked at me like it was just a minor injury. I was surprised as I thought surely two weeks off at least?!

Anyway, Parkrun the next morning was absolutely out of the question. I could drive in my sandals and walk in them as long as I wrap the worst toe in a plaster after cleaning it with antiseptic wipes. It hurts to put pressure on it as I stupidly thought if I really loosen my ‘every day’ (non-running) trainers maybe I could wear them rather than open toes sandals in this cold. Went for a meal with friends and big mistake. The toe box was putting pressure on my toes meaning I couldn’t bend my foot as I walked without pain. Back in my sandals and I could walk again.

I don’t think I’ll be running for at least a couple of weeks surely - certainly can’t until the damaged nail comes off. Does anyone have any tips or experiences to share? I’m gutted because of course I love my routine of running, strength training, and yoga and I have been trying to think of other ways to stay active (and of course recognising I might have to just do 2-3 days of light exercise than my usual physical activity schedule). So working out barefoot and with little pressure on my toes, does anyone have any suggestions on what I can do instead during this ‘season’ of injury and recovery once the nail comes off on its own? For context, it’s the second and third toe (third toe is the one with the damaged nail and partially exposed nail bed) - I wouldn’t be able to do a plank or down dog yoga moves and certainly no lunges for example. I could do more upper body but of course I am keen to balance things out and get some lower body in.

I know realistically I’ll lose some fitness but am trying to tell myself these things happen and I’ve not signed up for any races or anything like that so just take things as they go.

Thank you in advance!

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Ouch! Sorry to read this. 😕 I think you have basically answered your own questions though - focus on those things that you can do without pain. I think once the nail comes away, you will start to feel more comfortable and progress will be quicker but it depends on what injury there is to the toe itself from the accident (very different from running induced toenail loss - which has happened to me only once, thank goodness!)

Either way, remember that fitness does not decline as quickly as we sometimes think and certainly we regain it relatively quickly too! Here’s hoping you’re back out there soon -good luck!

[Run_rabbit_run Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

Thank you Sandraj39 for the reminder re fitness decline. I trialled a few ‘moves’ while the kettle was on yesterday and figured out definitely no forward or back lunges but I can do lateral lunges and squats and glute bridges so all is not lost. It’ll also give me the opportunity to pick up barre again. My cardio fitness will be impacted for now but you’re right, we can regain it again! Thanks again 🙂

[misswobble Graduate10]

Oh eck! I once had a large picture fall off the wall and punctured my big toe nail bed! The pain is off the scale. You have my sympathies 😟

My son had to go to the walk-in clinic on Christmas Eve as he bust his so there seems to be a lot of it about 😬

Epsom salts in the bath or foot bath would be good. Time is the thing here and you just have to be patient 🙂

A nail can take months to shed, and as they do so they can curl up 😤. Once the nail is dead there’s no pain in it, but it can become a hindrance. I called in at our local podiatry place and the lady told me to clip off bits if they got in the way. I couldn’t do it all at once so proceeded carefully over a few weeks. I was heading into marathon territory so I needed to sort it out

I kept mine covered with a plaster to hold things in place and to provide some cushioning while it healed

While you’re in pain, and the toe is raw and tender, you’ll have to sit it out running wise You’ll know when you’re good to go so don’t despair 👍🙂

[Run_rabbit_run Graduate10 in reply to misswobble]

Oh wow misswobble a punctured big toe nail bed 😱 goodness me I’m glad that’s over for you! Sorry to hear about your son too. I didn’t realise how common toe nail injuries are (which probably explains the nurses reactions). They seemed convinced the nails would fall off and definitely within 24 hours for one of them but that one seems to have re-attached after I had to unflip it back (but it didn’t sit back to where it should have been!). I’m glad I managed to read your note re trimming it. I definitely couldn’t do it the night before because of the pain but I managed last night. Time is definitely the one in control here so as you say, patience is key. Thank you for taking time out to reply!

[Tasha99 Graduate10]

nails take ages to come off. Once the pain has gone, you can strap it up and run. I think I broke my little toe a few months ago, and running didn’t actually aggravate it. Happy healing though 👍🏽

[Run_rabbit_run Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

Thanks Tasha99 I’m glad to hear you were still able to run despite your broken little toe! I don’t think this will be me for a while and I must admit, I had a morning of feeling really upset and annoyed with myself yesterday but that doesn’t serve me to feel better or to just get on with things so I gave my head a wobble. Sure my feet are freezing in sandals as well but at least I can walk and drive so I need to not rely on running as the only activity that helps to clear my head or for my overall wellbeing and use the time to explore other activities that also help to give me peace and clarity.

[CBDB Graduate10]

Ouuuuwwwwwwchhh that sounds so painful! I don’t have any advice, but just sending you over lots of healing wishes!

(And of course, over at S&F, we have lots of sitting exercises that do not involve feet or legs. Example, here: seated dumbbell workout healthunlocked.com/strength... )

[Run_rabbit_run Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

Ooh thanks for the link to those workouts CBDB ! I was feeling so frustrated and annoyed with myself as I had got halfway through a strength programme and couldn’t continue with it but I think I can substitute some of the lower body movements. As someone who is a perfectionist and started out this year saying she needs to let go and be more flexible and adaptable, I think this situation has forced me to do just that!

[5KCouch]

Heavy strength training, swimming (butterfly, crawl), and find some hills to conquer on bike.

[Run_rabbit_run Graduate10 in reply to 5KCouch]

Once I can get back into my trainers, I’d definitely like to get to the gym to go on the bike and use the machines there if I am struggling to run still. I see you’ve mentioned the more intense versions of cycling, strength training and swimming (though I do love front crawl) - you really don’t mess about! 😂 thank you!

[Madwife60]

that sounds painful and as everyone has said it will take a bit of time. I lost a toe nail a couple of years ago and once the nail came off things were much more comfy ( my nail salon helped take off a dangly bit and even built me a new acrylic nail - it was summer and I am ver vain). I think all you san do is just stretch and move as much is comfortable. I just had 19 days break due to COVID and am amazed how quickly I got going again. Good luck

[taichi1 Graduate10]

I still did yoga with a broken toe so you might be able to go back to that fairly quickly I reckon. Also I swam and cycled. They're not the same as running but then you have something to look forward to. Patience and Runners can't belong in the same sentence hahaha. Time's a healer.