Running with a broken toe?

saracatherine89

So today I turned a corner in my house and hit my pinky toe very hard against the wall...it hurt really bad when I did it and when I would bend/flex it, but otherwise it doesn't hurt THAT bad. I put on my running shoes and went for a 4 mile run and did the elliptical. It did not bother me at all when I ran. I came home from the gym and it is now swollen/bruised so I am assuming the toe is broken. It's not worth it to me to get it xrayed since this is one of the bones you can't really do anything about. My question is...what should I do? I really don't want to put my workouts on hold because of a toe that I can't even feel the pain for. It looks a lot worse than it is. Any recommendations?

sarahrbraun

unless it is obviously disfigured, leave it be. The most the ER would do is set it and tape it to the toe next to it for support. I did something similar when I was a waitress, and honestly, it wasn't worth the ER co-pay or my time. I just took a few advil and kept going.

iuew

perhaps switch to low impact cardio like swimming or exercise bike until it's healed?

i'm not a medical professional, but running on a broken toe sounds like it will get you nowhere good fast.

Bob314159

I've broken at least 6 toes at various times, once I broke 3 at once, but was told there was no point in going to hospital. However, running with a broken toes may not be good (Big toe does require a doctor to assess)

http://www.livestrong.com/article/456726-fractured-toe-resuming-running/

but if you insist

http://frealfitness.wordpress.com/2009/09/19/one-fitness-fanatics-tale-of-working-out-and-running-with-a-broken-toe/

LorinaLynn

I wouldn't run on it, because you're bound to alter your stride if it's hurting, which may lead to other, more serious problems.

saracatherine89

That's the thing- I broke it, then ran 4 miles on it and did not even notice the slightest bit of pain. The worst of the bruising is on the top and the inside of the toe- it does not hurt to walk on. The only time it hurts is when I point my toes/bend them.

Bob314159

Could be endomorhines/adrenalin masking the pain I was on vacation last week and hit a record for a days walk, totally unaware I was bleeding badly from a friction rash. The pain did not kick in till the next day

I broke an ankle once (and didn't know it was broken) and waited for several hours before taking a taxi and walking into emergency and they couldn't understand how I could walk. Spent the next week in a wheelchair and 5 weeks in a support cast.

Another time broke a wrist and worked for hours typing, oblivious of the damage then wandered into emergency and had to have an arm cast.

doit714

I'm a runner as well. I also broke my toe (middle one). Called my Dr. and he said I could pay for the x-ray to confirm it or just buddy wrap it to the toe next to it because that's all they would do anyway. I worked with this Dr, so I trusted him. I also know for a fact that I broke it - swollen, bruised and I was is a lot of pain for the little bit. I did what I could do - whatever didn't hurt. Hope this helps