Have I broken my toe? (Warning horrible hairy picture)
Discussion
Before I start, Im not really a Doctor!
Ive developed a sore toe, or what I thought was a sore toe. I was increasing my running millage but I then started getting pain in my big toe, so I stopped and thought I would rest it for a few weeks.....
Having looked closely at it yesterday, I noticed it got bruising on the joint and by the nail (see pic below).

Have a broken it, and even if I have, is there anything that can be done?
Ive developed a sore toe, or what I thought was a sore toe. I was increasing my running millage but I then started getting pain in my big toe, so I stopped and thought I would rest it for a few weeks.....
Having looked closely at it yesterday, I noticed it got bruising on the joint and by the nail (see pic below).
Have a broken it, and even if I have, is there anything that can be done?
I'm always astounded as to how strong toes actually are; I've stubbed my toes so many times on solid objects and apart from that shooting pain, which oddly goes away as quickly as it came, I have never knowingly broken anything, I once stubbed my toe on wooden indoor bench, ripping one of the benches feet clean off through the wood, my toe was fine after the pain went.
My - wife, a Podiatrist, says - it looks like bruising caused by a hyper-extended toe, shallow toe box on your running trainer and your running style (are you a heel to toe runner or forefoot strike?). She would recommend visiting a specialist Podiatrist in MSK (biomechanics) or get a gp-referral for NHS services.
Ooo that last photo reminds me of going down a water slide on a rubber ring with my youngest and hitting my foot on the exit of the chute. I knew something wasn’t right as i stood up and my little toe was sticking out at 90 degrees to its normal position.
Makes me giggle now but it was rather sore for several weeks, not the best thing on a walking holiday.
Makes me giggle now but it was rather sore for several weeks, not the best thing on a walking holiday.
JQ said:
My - wife, a Podiatrist, says - it looks like bruising caused by a hyper-extended toe, shallow toe box on your running trainer and your running style (are you a heel to toe runner or forefoot strike?). She would recommend visiting a specialist Podiatrist in MSK (biomechanics) or get a gp-referral for NHS services.

Think you might be on to something, as I don't recall hitting it (have had a few nights which have been a blur though...). However, this does correlate with me increasing my mileage running. Thought it could be a stress fracture caused due to running, maybe not then....
Whats is a shallow toe box? Basically a shoe thats too small?
I'm a midfoot runner, haven't run seriously in a nearly a year due to Planter Fasciitus.
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