I stepped on a nail

Silent_Soliloquy

Was doing some renovating and stepped on a paneling board that had a long finishing nail in it. It went through my shoe and WAY up into my foot.

I'm Really bummed. This was last night. Its by the ball of my foot, so i can walk on the outside of my foot, but now my ankle is super sore.

Anyone have a guess how long until i can do some long slow distance runs ?

Is it best to walk as i can, or do you think i should immobilize it for a few days ?

I am training for a 15k on march 30th.

lx1x

Did you see a doctor and make sure you don't get tetanus/infection.. doctor probably will have the right answer for you.

Silent_Soliloquy

^^ no i have recent tetanus because of my work.

It only bled like a teaspoon. but it feels crazy bruised. Didn't seem "redimed" level of injury

RunsWithBees

If that happened to me I’d have a doctor take a look at it ASAP. You might require a tetanus booster shot for an injury like that! You don’t want to play around with potential infections that could set you back even further.

RunsWithBees

Adding... just saw you said your tetanus is up to date. Still, at least call a doctor because puncture wounds to the joints can push germs deep into the internal structures like the bursae capsules for example where it becomes a really bad infection that is difficult for the body to handle on its own. Take care and speedy recovery

lx1x

Silent_Soliloquy wrote: »

^^ no i have recent tetanus because of my work.

It only bled like a teaspoon. but it feels crazy bruised. Didn't seem "redimed" level of injury

how deep the nail went in is another question.. bruising may be a sign of infection... Go see a doc..

Silent_Soliloquy

Went in more than a half inch, less than an inch.

I was hoping to get a bunch of "man up, you'll be fine in 2 days" comments.

Maybe not what i wanted to hear, but likely what i needed to hear. Ill leave a msg for my dr.

TavistockToad

Ouchy. I'd get a doctor to check it out if it was a long nail.

lx1x

Silent_Soliloquy wrote: »

Went in more than a half inch, less than an inch.

I was hoping to get a bunch of "man up, you'll be fine in 2 days" comments.

Maybe not what i wanted to hear, but likely what i needed to hear. Ill leave a msg for my dr.

Nobody going to take your man card for trying to be safe than sorry.

I got my fair share of nail injuries/cuts.. but you asked if you can run on an injured foot.. well.. common sense you either let it heal first or make it worst.

aokoye

Silent_Soliloquy wrote: »

Went in more than a half inch, less than an inch.

I was hoping to get a bunch of "man up, you'll be fine in 2 days" comments.

Maybe not what i wanted to hear, but likely what i needed to hear. Ill leave a msg for my dr.

Not the healthiest of wishes, or the most responsible. But yeah - go ahead with your plans on calling your doctor.

autumnblade75

https://www.foothealthfacts.org/conditions/puncture-wounds

I really wanted to play Devil's Advocate and tell you that it'll probably be fine. I can't convince myself that it's a responsible position to take. I hope you're back to running soon.

lorrpb

Do not play devils advocate with things that have the potential to kill you, ie tetanus.

GemimaFitzTed

My father in law was up-to-date with his tetanus shot. He fell over, grazing his knee really really badly. My MIL was pushing him to go see a doctor and get a booster. He refused. Guess what happened next? He got tetanus. Had he gone to the doctor, he would have a booster and would have been ok.

Go to the doctor....

Silent_Soliloquy

So I went to my Dr... didn't see him but saw one of the physician's assistants.

She said since my tetanus was less than a year old, and it looks healed and bruised but not puffy, I am good to do whatever I "feel comfortable doing".

In super bummed as my training was going well, but in going to take a week and stay off it, and then aim for a jog and see how I feel

MelanieCN77

Be careful about walking on one side of your foot, you will very likely cause more aches and pains with the alteration. Go as gently as you can with a normal gait.

meritage5

meanwhile try some biking. With the weight off your foot it is easier than running and you can get your heart rate up!

Gisel2015

Silent_Soliloquy wrote: »

Went in more than a half inch, less than an inch.

I was hoping to get a bunch of "man up, you'll be fine in 2 days" comments.

Maybe not what i wanted to hear, but likely what i needed to hear. Ill leave a msg for my dr.

Man up dude, and see your doctor! Happy ?

lorrpb

Silent_Soliloquy wrote: »

So I went to my Dr... didn't see him but saw one of the physician's assistants.

She said since my tetanus was less than a year old, and it looks healed and bruised but not puffy, I am good to do whatever I "feel comfortable doing".

In super bummed as my training was going well, but in going to take a week and stay off it, and then aim for a jog and see how I feel

Glad you went and glad it's not too serious.

Silent_Soliloquy

I Wanted to follow up... and thank everyone for the nudge I needed to see the PA.

I was told I could do whatever felt comfortable. I did a little test run today, wrapped it well and took it easy.

And, the spot of the puncture itself hurt, but I was able to jog with good form ... even pulled off negative splits (not that any of it was fast)

Swelling is all the way gone, and basically just like a bad bruise now.

Thanks again all,

nooshi713

Puncture wounds through a shoe are worse than barefoot wounds because they can push bacteria from shoe soles into your foot, including Pseudomonas. I would get checked because you may need antibiotics.