Numb toe
(5 discussions)
Help. My problem is similar to the 7/14 posting by cleanandwholesome, who suffered from a numb foot. The numbness only occurs in the big toe and usually shows up between 6 and 8 miles. It will go away after a few minutes of walking, but returns within a mile if I continue. There is plenty of room in the toe box area of my shoe and I’ve loosened the laces. So far, no luck. Any ideas??
5 comments
lyssakh
I had this simlar problem do your feet hurt or jusdt go numb my toes would go numd and my feet would hurt! I posted earler and go tno reply so i went to the docotor he siad a stress fracture and where this boot and i will see you in 6 weeks rwhat a bummer int he middle of basketball season
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mybell1790
I have recently started getting numb in my left foot. It is only in the ball of my foot and my biggest three toes. It comes and goes throughout my day. I run about 4 miles a day and it has been numb the last few times i’ve run, but it also gets numb other times during the day. My shoes fit fine, but they are getting old so maybe a new pair might help. The only thing I can figure out as to why this might be occuring is that right when this started (about 7 days ago) was also right when I started wearing these very high heeled shoes that i just bought. I’ve only worn them a few times, but when I did, my feet killed me so maybe that started all this. I just don’t see why my feet would still feel numb if I’ve haven’t worn those shoes in days. I’m going to try to head for a doctor sometime soon because this scares me a little. I don’t want it o affect my running routine. Till then, no more high-heeled shoes and maybe some new running shoes for Christmas!
Muscledawg
There are a couple of possibilities:
Shoes: as has already been identified; you might want to run (pardon the pun) your symptoms past a podiatrist to see what they say.
You might also have whats called a compartment syndrome or an arterial entrapment syndrome. After running a while the leg begins to swell with fluid and either squeeze a nerve or exert enough pressure on blood vessels to limit circulation.
These last two can be serious (although if this is what you actually have, your case sounds mild) and so should be addressed by a doc.
Good Luck,
Muscledawg.
rungirl
I have experienced similar numbness in my toes after running 8 plus kilometers. In fact in 1/2 marathons my feet are killing me at the end of the race.
I have tried all shoe brands and various orthotics but relief is limited.
A Vancouver doctor is doing a study on this problem and is finding it common in people who run, ride and do aerobics. It seems to stem from nerve inpingement from stepping on the ball of the foot. Why?…she still doesn’t have anything conclusive.
Here’s my solution: some of it helps at least.
> buy shoes 1/2 size bigger, shoes with a stability factor and metatarsal cushioning. I use Saucony Hurricanes and NB 805 trail shoes.
> Stop frequently in long runs for 30 secs to shake out feet or retie laces…every 30 minutes or so.
> Run with a relaxed heel to metatarsal foot strike not on ball of feet
> After running hills, shake out feet before you start your decent
> Looser laces are better to releive pressure on the boney top of the foot where nerves run to toes
>My sole-orthotics have been adjusted by Paris Orthotics to build up the area under the back of the metatarsal area to leave more room under the ball of my foot
>High heels don’t help…sorry
> All these things combined have helped and my last 1 1/4 hour trail race…I found relief. NO NUMBNESS…yahoo! but unfortunately I did have some the other day running the roads for 50 minutes. Oh well I take it when I can! Good Luck
runnerchick
I have a problem similar to your’s, when I jump rope my little toes will turn white and be completely numb. I’ve found it helpful to take my shoes and socks off and gently massage them for a minute or so to help get the blood flow back there again. My guess is that it has something to do with lack of blood flow….
runnerchick