I broke my toe. Any advice?

[makedah]

It happened yesterday, but I withheld my rant until after I saw the doctor this morning.

I was JUST really getting back into the groove of working out after recovering from surgery, too! I was sedentary for 8 weeks, worked out for 6 weeks, now I'm hobbled for another 6 weeks!!!


And such a stupid thing. I stubbed my little toe on a chair leg -- like I often do. But THIS time, I managed to break it near the top joint.

I asked the doc about working out. She said the stationary bike would be fine for cardio, but that it might make my toe throb because of the increased blood flow. I asked her about squats in particular. She said that squats with free weights might be a bad idea because I might get off balance and in an effort to right myself, put pressure on the bad toe. She wants me to stick to machines for lower body while the toe heals.

Any advice?

 

[Arioch]

You should not be squatting with your toes anyway. Put a small towel under the foot with the bad toe.

Concentrate on driving through the heels.

 

[magdelana]

Makedah, if you have made a habit already of leaning onto your toes when you squat you might consider using about 20% less weight then your normal work sets, learn the new technique of driving up from your heels, and concentration on form. Probably your legs will get just as good workout as normally.

Also if you are concentrating on pressing up with the heels as you drive up from the bottom the lighter weight will probably feel heavier then you expect. Perhaps as heavy then as your normal work set amount. I have broken as many as two toes at the same time on the same foot and squatted with no problem, some pain like your doctor said about the bike, but certainly no enough to stop from squating properly.

 

[makedah]

Thanks, both of you!

I drive through my heels in the squat - I don't go up on my toes. My main concern was putting weight (and more weight) on the foot at all. But I've been practicing squatting at home with no weight and I haven't had a problem. I'll try it at the gym.

Mag -- you and I should be more careful! I hope your ankle is healing quickly.

 

[magdelana]

Thank you dear. The cast is off in only four days. JOEPIE!

Aah yes my toes, have broken 3 in total. I lift iron with no shoes on. Have never worn them. A few times either me or someone else has dropped a plate on my foot. Ouwie! I love to be able to feel the floor with my bared feet with my squat. (silly thing, i know)

 

[Enigmaxxx7]

Did you call a toe-truck?

I would stay away from toe raises.

O.K. those were bad. Injuries suck while training. Good luck.

 

[makedah]

har de har har!

Thanks for the well-wishes.