broken toe

[illgetthereintheend]

I broke my toe earlier this year and it has healed wrong. I was offered option of having it rebroken but with no guarantee of improved healing, I declined. The toe looks swollen and can be painful if I walk lot. Did 8 mile walk non stop for first time the other day and it seems OK. Any advice for treatment on the Camino or ways to prevent problems​

 

[C clearly]

Sorry I can't help, but I can sympathize! I am recovering from metatarsal stress fractures, and just starting back to walk. Today I did about 9 km and it is a little bit sore now, so you are doing well with 8 miles. Have you consulted a podiatrist to determine if custom orthotics might help protect it?

 

[KiwiNomad06]

I have a Camino friend who did this while on the Camino- not during her walking day, but by kicking her toe against the bed during the night. Her's can't have been too immobilising- she took five days off before walking again. But when she restarted they shortened daily distances, and had luggage carried to minimise strain on it. Also, they didn't end up walking the whole Camino as they had a time limit at the end, so bussed a bit in the middle- but her Camino was every bit as meaningful as anyone else's...
Margaret

 

[Rajy62]

Only at the end of of my second camino I learned from an xray that i have broken my toes. Both times during the last few days of the walk. Of course my feet swelled and i assumed it was just from the extended walks and i continued walking with painkillers. But the swelling didn't subside after the second camino. So went to see my doctor and xray showed 3 broken toes and two of them showed multiple signs of past healing. To talk about prevention i think one needs to know the root cause of the fracture. In my case my toe joins are stiffer from arthritis and that was putting extra pressure on the bones around the joins. Thats where they broke. They healed ok except i have a big hump at the big tow. I was recommended surgery to shave off the extra bones. I declined of course.

 

[Wokabaut_Meri]

Which toe did you break? I walked 230km with a broken small toe some years ago - my trusty walking poles were a life saver. Didn't have any other option as we were in a remote area so I had to walk out. I took the re-break option and it has all healed well, an improvement actually. If your toe continues to be painful and stops you from walking (aarrgghhh!!!), another chat with your doctor might be wise. I have a doctor who understands my motivation and has referred me onto the relevant specialists at sports clinics.

 

[Rajy62]

I broke the two small toes just above the 2nd joint and the big toe further higher up towards my ankle. Both times almost at the end of my camino. Apparently stress related fractures are very common. In my case any relief would be complicated due to diabetes and arthritis. If I attempt another Camino, I would definitely consult my doc again. May be something to lubricate my joints should help.

 

[Anniesantiago]

owwww.. no advice, but hope it heals quickly!