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On
Your Toes
Pity
the poor toes. How would your hands feel if you walked on them all
day? Those tiny appendages get stomped on by most of a couple hundred
pounds for hours on end. Is it any wonder they have a complaint or
two?
Athletes, in particular, are prone to a grab bag of toe woes, from ordinary
to exotic:
Artificial
Turf Toe
With the increased traction available from synthetic surfaces, it's become
much easier to catch the toe of a shoe and roll the front of your foot under.
Shoes with stiffer soles designed for artificial turf offer protection from
this painful injury.
Corns and Callouses
Just because these areas of hardened skin are common doesn't mean they're insignificant.
Persistent corns or callouses indicate an underlying problem such as a bone
deformity or spur. If over-the-counter remedies don't banish them for good,
look for professional help for better shoe fitting or to relieve the cause.
Nerve Damage
Long-distance runners and walkers are prone to develop burning pain or numbness
radiating from between the third and fourth toes. Morton's neuroma, a benign
tumor, can be avoided or controlled by fitting shoes with proper arch and foot
supports.
Runner's Toe
Also common among hikers and guys who play team sports, what doctors call subungual
hematoma happens when a toe presses hard against the front of a shoe. Blood
pools under the nail, and the pressure can be quite painful. If you get medical
help right away, the blood can be drained, relieving the pain. But prevention
in the form of proper fitting shoes is the best approach.
Stress Fracture
High-impact activities such as running and dancing can actually stress bones
to the point where they develop small fractures. Pain and swelling are the
first symptoms, but the problem can only be confirmed by x-ray. Complete healing
from a stress fracture is very important, because they can lead to a domino
effect of spreading fractures.
Tennis Toe
Sports that require rapid changes of direction or repeated flexing of the toes
can lead to hallux rigidus, a form of arthritis in the joint of the big toe.
Pain and swelling, if ignored, can lead to surgery to remove bony growths in
the joint. Rest is the first treatment, followed by a gradual return to activity
using well-cushioned shoes fitted with appropriate foot supports.
Toes
do have a hard time of it, but a little common sense in the form
of proper footwear and moderation in your workouts can keep them
tapping along in good time.
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