[ab1]

Grateful for advice; I get intermittent pain on outer side of little toe, left foot only. Can be painful one minute, perfect the next if resting. I can induce the pain by prodding with finger. Is this some kind of neuralgia? How do I get rid of it,first 10K this Sunday.

 

[Steady Edwina]

When do you get the pain is it only when running or do you get it at other times? Is it affecting your running performance? Have you got your shoes laced up too tightly?

 

[ab1]

Thanks for reply, pain at any time but have noticed by experimenting that, as you say, it seems ok if I keep the toe end of my laces looser, worse if I tighten at the toe. Am still prone to "catching" it if I stand the wrong way on my left foot.

 

[hot foot]

I had something similar not so long ago ab1. It had been bugging me for several days and like you,hurt in certain positions or when I prodded it. I thought that it was perhaps just a bit of inflammation so took a couple of anti inflammatory tablets and it sorted it within hours.

 

[ab1]

Many thanks for your responses; after a bit of experimentation I can aggravate the toe with tight laces, avoid pain by keeping laces looser and wearing "sensible" shoes. Am I really that old already?

 

[Steady Edwina]

Is your toe nail digging in? If it was nerve related you'd be getting pin & needles or a prickling sensation. Inflammation is usually a burning sensation with maybe some redness but there are always exceptions.

 

[ab1]

Toe nails not digging in; seems to be a peculiarity (?) in that a tight shoe forces my little toe slightly under the next one, inducing pressure on the lateral side of the toe where there appears to be a nerve, or at least something vaguely stringy. Pain can come very quickly, and fade within hours.

 

[Steady Edwina]

Maybe see a podiatrist or chiropodist there might be some simple solution like shoving something between your toes. There are some yoga exercises designed to help spread your toes. Basically involve lifting your toes and trying to place them as far from the foot and others toes as much as possible.