Big Toe Trouble--Advice?

[ericjoe]

I have had this problem off and on the last few years, but it normally goes away in a few days. This past week and a half, it has been a nagging issue. My left big toe joint (from my foot to my toe) is swollen and really stiff. Its sore to walk on, but gets looser when I run. It seems like it could be arthritis, but I am not sure. Anyone else have this issue? What should I do about it? Is it worth a trip to the Dr or should I wait it out?

[frojoe23]

I have no idea what this could be other than your shoe's toebox is too small. If this isn't the case, then I am at a loss. The latrophobe (new word for all of you I'm sure) in me says to wait this one out, but the sensible side says to go ahead and get it checked out.

[ericjoe]

Thanks for the reply. Thats a new word for me I recently bought some new training shoes and per the advice of the running store I went up a 1/2 shoe size. I was already leaning toward waiting it out but just wanted some feedback from others in the forum.

[ericjoe]

To save everyone else the Google search

Latrophobia: Fear of doctors or of visiting the doctor

[burgrunner]

Eric- I had, what sounds to be the exact same problem, earlier in the year. Nothing seemed to help, and my toe always felt like it needed to "pop". After a few weeks of putting up with this, I increased my mileage, and the pain went away. I don't know if this was a coincidence or not, but it worked for me.

[ericjoe]

Dec 8, 2008 13:45:16 GMT -5 burgrunner said:

Eric- I had, what sounds to be the exact same problem, earlier in the year. Nothing seemed to help, and my toe always felt like it needed to "pop". After a few weeks of putting up with this, I increased my mileage, and the pain went away. I don't know if this was a coincidence or not, but it worked for me.

That is a very good way to describe it. it does feel like it needs to pop. I have tried to pop it, no luck. I honestly think I may have aggravated it from doing push ups with no shoes on. It didn't occur to me until a little but ago that it could have been the push ups. I ran 10 miles on it yesterday and it got pretty stiff afterward, but I iced it and its feeling slightly better today. I am just gonna try to run through it. I am only doing 30-35 miles/week currently but after the first of the year I plan to ramp up my miles to get ready for the Pittsburgh Marathon.

[kevinspradlin]

You should do the Mtn Md Marathon instead :-) www.mountainMDmarathon.org

[kevinspradlin]

Just getting. hope your toe gets better. Of all the milesrunners put in, isn't it amazing out the littlest thing can set you back?

[ericjoe]

Dec 8, 2008 14:42:13 GMT -5 kevinspradlin said:

You should do the Mtn Md Marathon instead :-) www.mountainMDmarathon.org

How about if I do the 1/2? My brother and I have planned on him coming to Cumberland (from Pittsburgh) to do the Mountain Maryland Half and then do the full at Pittsburgh 2 weeks later. I really did want to do the full Mtn MD, but I don't think I could swing two 26.2's in two weeks!