Broken Toe

[AnnaWalks123]

Hello all! This past Monday, I stubbed my toe.. long story short, I decided to get to the doctor because of my upcoming Camino plans. The x-ray confirmed that I broke my right little toe at the base. I know everyone has different pain thresholds, are physically fit in different ways, etc., but I am curious to see if anyone thinks I should put my Camino on hold. I have booked plane tickets from the US already, and am planning to walk the Porto > Santiago route in approximately ten days, starting May 21. The doctor said he thinks I can still go, "it just depends on how much pain I can withstand." This also means that I am losing two weeks of training I had planned for. Does anyone have any thoughts, or has walked with a newly healed injury? Thanks so much!

 

[Cayou]

4-6 weeks and your doc is your best guide. let it heal for now, the bone needs to fuse. stressing it will only delay healing. if swelling and pain go down you are on for CP! good luck ...

 

[CdnDreamer]

I don't think we can answer this question for you. Do you have insurance - is this a financial hit if you don't go? Does insurance only cover you if you tell them now, rather than waiting another week or two to decide? How painful is it for you? Can you still get your shoe on? Does this affect your work? Is it possible for you delay your walk for a couple of weeks? How long does the doctor think it will take to heal?

In 2012 when I walked I met a man who had broken his ankle on the camino and had flown home to heal. He was not able to bend his ankle, but he was sure that he was well enough to continue his walk. And walk, he did.

Pat yourself on the back for getting to the doctor and finding out that your toe is broken. That shows you are already taking care of yourself. Now you may just need to have patience and wait for a couple of weeks to see how you are healing.

 

[kayagee66]

Hello all! This past Monday, I stubbed my toe.. long story short, I decided to get to the doctor because of my upcoming Camino plans. The x-ray confirmed that I broke my right little toe at the base. I know everyone has different pain thresholds, are physically fit in different ways, etc., but I am curious to see if anyone thinks I should put my Camino on hold. I have booked plane tickets from the US already, and am planning to walk the Porto > Santiago route in approximately ten days, starting May 21. The doctor said he thinks I can still go, "it just depends on how much pain I can withstand." This also means that I am losing two weeks of training I had planned for. Does anyone have any thoughts, or has walked with a newly healed injury? Thanks so much!

I broke my little toe (kicking a dogs toy as hard as i could barefooted, and kicking a cupboard at the same time) 2 weeks before walking from Le Puy to Roncesvalles (about 500 miles), in 2016, it was acutely painful before i went. I taped the little toe to the next toe. It worked out fine. Apart from the odd twinge i forgot about it.

 

[Willigsu]

I’m on the Camino right now and can say walking with pain is interesting. I’ve learned my Achilles’ tendons are a weak point—who knew?! Each step becomes a conscious thought. The worry is you don’t want to do any permanent damage and I think pain causes fatigue. Looks like you’re doing the right checks beforehand and plan accordingly. Good luck and buen Camino!

 

[Hiawatha]

You will most likely be able to walk with only a little discomfort , especially after a few weeks of initial healing .
There may be a cost to your future mobility though . Any break in a constantly mobile appendage runs the risk of developing osteo arthritis if not completely healed , a painful and difficult to treat condition .
A dog once ' kicked ' me ! Well he really head butted me in his eagerness to get to the ball while I was kicking it . My big toe never really healed properly , with the male bravado of my mid twenties I thought it would heal itself and it did , but badly . Now in my sixties the memory of that day and my dear old dog comes back to me with each ache and twinge I feel .

 

[Jan Jones]

Hello all! This past Monday, I stubbed my toe.. long story short, I decided to get to the doctor because of my upcoming Camino plans. The x-ray confirmed that I broke my right little toe at the base. I know everyone has different pain thresholds, are physically fit in different ways, etc., but I am curious to see if anyone thinks I should put my Camino on hold. I have booked plane tickets from the US already, and am planning to walk the Porto > Santiago route in approximately ten days, starting May 21. The doctor said he thinks I can still go, "it just depends on how much pain I can withstand." This also means that I am losing two weeks of training I had planned for. Does anyone have any thoughts, or has walked with a newly healed injury? Thanks so much!

I did the same thing three days before leaving for the Camino. Used ointment to reduce the bruising and anti- inflammatory gel for the swelling. Tried taping but just pulls the other toes out of shape. All in all it’s been painful at times but not unbearable with the help of paracetamol. My boots are well worn in with little pressure on that toe , double socks are a good buffer. Just be a bit careful that you don’t hobble because that will make other joints start to hurt. Just started week 3 and it is OK. Little toe is probably the best one to break. Good luck. !

 

[tomnorth]

Hello all! This past Monday, I stubbed my toe.. long story short, I decided to get to the doctor because of my upcoming Camino plans. The x-ray confirmed that I broke my right little toe at the base. I know everyone has different pain thresholds, are physically fit in different ways, etc., but I am curious to see if anyone thinks I should put my Camino on hold. I have booked plane tickets from the US already, and am planning to walk the Porto > Santiago route in approximately ten days, starting May 21. The doctor said he thinks I can still go, "it just depends on how much pain I can withstand." This also means that I am losing two weeks of training I had planned for. Does anyone have any thoughts, or has walked with a newly healed injury? Thanks so much!

If it were your big toe I’d say no way (I know, I broke my right big toe), but a little toe is a different matter. If you can handle the discomfort, I’d say your Camino could still be a go.

 

[Leigh Lorayne]

Hello all! This past Monday, I stubbed my toe.. long story short, I decided to get to the doctor because of my upcoming Camino plans. The x-ray confirmed that I broke my right little toe at the base. I know everyone has different pain thresholds, are physically fit in different ways, etc., but I am curious to see if anyone thinks I should put my Camino on hold. I have booked plane tickets from the US already, and am planning to walk the Porto > Santiago route in approximately ten days, starting May 21. The doctor said he thinks I can still go, "it just depends on how much pain I can withstand." This also means that I am losing two weeks of training I had planned for. Does anyone have any thoughts, or has walked with a newly healed injury? Thanks so much!

Hello all! This past Monday, I stubbed my toe.. long story short, I decided to get to the doctor because of my upcoming Camino plans. The x-ray confirmed that I broke my right little toe at the base. I know everyone has different pain thresholds, are physically fit in different ways, etc., but I am curious to see if anyone thinks I should put my Camino on hold. I have booked plane tickets from the US already, and am planning to walk the Porto > Santiago route in approximately ten days, starting May 21. The doctor said he thinks I can still go, "it just depends on how much pain I can withstand." This also means that I am losing two weeks of training I had planned for. Does anyone have any thoughts, or has walked with a newly healed injury? Thanks so much!

I, too, broke my right little toe in June before my Camino began the end of August. I did not train much because i wanted to let it heal, I even went on crutches for a few weeks to try and help the process. I, too, was in a dilemma about going. The bone was not fully healed when I left for my Camino. I splinted it to my foot with micropore tape. It was sore, but did not interfere with my walking. I took things slowly at first, and really the lack of training did not affect me much ( I am a biker so my muscles were in shape). I don’t know how much pain you are in or. Any other factors......but just know it can be done!

Should you decide to go. Buen Camino!

 

[AnnaWalks123]

Massive amounts of appreciation to everyone who responded! I am resting and icing like crazy for now and have decided to just give it a try! If I feel like I am causing permanent damage once I start, then I will call it a day and try again next year. However, I am hopeful I can complete it with the help of painkillers, rest and ice. Again, thank you all so much - my anxiety has been greatly reduced by all of your kind answers!

 

[Scarlet Fez]

At the beginning of March I had a crush injury whilst working away from the UK. Got sent home in a boot cast and after seeing various specialists it was deemed to be 'Tuft' fracture to the bone to the end of my big toe. Was very lucky. Was told to take the cast boot after 2 weeks and rest it for 4 weeks. 2 weeks ago given all the all clear and being sensible sensible mileage to just test the toe and see if it reacted.
Hoping to start the Del Norte in the next 2 weeks, but keeping an open mind and see how I get on and listen to my foot and toe. I'm fortunate that living in UK I can get cheapy one way flight tickets especially off season should it be obvious that that my toe is 'unhappy'.

 

[jenwearing]

I broke my pinky toe in February same as you. I stubbed it hard! After 3 weeks of relative rest (I still went about normal business limping around and using the elliptical) it was feeling good enough to start shorter training walks again. It would get a bit achy but a couple more weeks and it was good as new. I think if you rest it up front, you will soon have confidence in it well before your trip. I wouldn't postpone.

 

[Dutchwalk53]

ah great info for me. I broke my 4th toe (the one next to pinky toe) 2 1/2 weeks ago and will leave for my 4th Camino in 4 weeks. It still hurts but is getting a bit better every day and I am buddy taping it now and will just not do any practice walks for another 3 weeks. I am not worried about the lack of training there I know what's awaiting me and I will just take it easy the first few days. All that matters for me is being back on the trail and not the speed/distances.
2 years ago I fell badly on the Camino and bruised several ribs. Had a Dr check it out and there is not much one can do. I kept walking and my backpack actually felt good there it offered some compression. I was in pain for 2 weeks every evening once I relaxed, but still enjoyed my Camino. yes a foot injury is different and probably worse but won;t hold me back enjoying all as usual Just try to remember the Camino is not a race and adjust your distances as needed. If you have a time restriction then just forward a section if needed.

 

[Cayou]

Dutch. Sounds like you’re on the right track and good to go next month! In Leon 24 Sept to Finnesterre, Happy Trails!

 

[Dutchwalk53]

Dutch. Sounds like you’re on the right track and good to go next month! In Leon 24 Sept to Finnesterre, Happy Trails!

Thanks. you're just behind us. Starting in Astorga Sept 24th .