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Hallux rigidus anyone?
By workoutmommy | May 20, 2008
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My foot has been sore for awhile now but I ignored the pain and blamed it on bad shoes. Since I was planning on running another marathon this fall, I decided to have it checked out just in case. I figured he would tell me to rest it a bit and then I’d be ready to start training again mid-June. No such luck.
My jaw hit the table when he said the word “surgery”. The jaw was followed by a waterfall of tears. My official diagnosis: Hallux Rigidus.
Hallux rigidus is a disorder of the joint located at the base of the big toe. It causes pain and stiffness in the big toe, and it gets increasingly harder to bend the toe. We use our big toe whenever we walk, run, squat, lunge, climb up, or even stand. Hallux Rigidus is actually a form of degenerative arthritis (a wearing out of the cartilage within the joint that occurs in the foot and other parts of the body). It can be caused by overuse, biomechanical issues in your foot, or even genetics.
It is a progressive condition that when caught early, can be corrected. (hindsight is 20/20. Learn from me, check your big toes right now!) I unfortunately waited way too long to have this checked out because I now have a large bone spur growing on top of my toe joint. This has become so painful that it hurts to the touch. (especially when a certain 2 year old decides to stand on my feet!) It also makes it difficult for me to bend my all important toe joint. I can walk and run right now but it is painful to do so.
The only course of action I have is surgery. The bone spur needs to be removed and the arthritic damage needs to be removed from the joint.
Your big toe is more important than you probably realize as with every step you take, it bears the impact of about twice your body weight. I have taken it for granted, saying over and over that my foot was just sore and it would be fine once I took a rest or changed shoes, etc. My big toe was screaming for help and I did not listen. I stupidly ignored the warning signs and now I am looking at a summer without running and limited other activity.
This means no fall marathon and probably no races at all this summer or fall. I am pretty crushed since I need to be active. I need to go for long runs and take the kids for walks. Being active is part of who I am and without it I do not feel whole. It is a definite setback.
So tell me gang, have you been injured and if so, how did you adapt your workouts?
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May 20th, 2008 at 5:33 am
checking on you…no injury stuff to add but Im starting to dear thats because Im growing too cautious (afraid? who can say :)) as I grow older!
MizFit’s last blog post..Tues Tip
May 20th, 2008 at 8:00 am
That’s a real bummer. Chasing kids all summer won’t be easy on a bum foot. The upside is that the swimming pool is open.
mamacita’s last blog post..What mamacita is …
May 20th, 2008 at 8:31 am
So sorry to hear that! I have been injured before (knee) and during that time I did swimming and light weight work for upper body. It is hard not to get bummed out and I did spend some time feeling sorry for myself before getting my act together.
Winnie’s last blog post..The View May 19th: Day of Hot Topics
May 20th, 2008 at 8:37 am
What about taking up bicycling? The kids can ride in a trailer.
May 20th, 2008 at 9:01 am
Oh, Lisa! I so feel your sadness on this one! I’ve been in your situation and it totally sucks. But know that you don’t have to compromise your fitness level and having to stay away from running/walking can be a great opportunity to focus on your nutrition (which is easier when you aren’t feeling drained from a ton of cardio) and also on your weight lifting (which, IMO, has a bigger effect on your shape than cardio anyhow).
I know it’s hard right now and you are mourning the temporary loss of your fave sport but try and see this as a chance to try a new “fitness experiment”
I’ve discovered a lot of great things this way that I wouldn’t have tried if I hadn’t been forced to adapt to an injury of some sort.
Plus - you will get back to running! Take time to heal but you won’t be off of it forever! If you want to chat more about this or get more ideas, drop me an e-mail. (((HUGS))))
charlotte’s last blog post..How Offensive Is This Ad?
May 20th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Crap. I feel for you, girl. I have pain in my big toe which I ignore as well. Most of the time it doesn’t hurt, but, I’ve had pain there since my first marathon!
I agree with Charlotte, too. Cycling and weight lifting and swimming are all things you can do! So, explore “your fitness options”! Maybe it’s the summer to enter a bike race- they are cheaper and shorter in duration!!!
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May 20th, 2008 at 10:03 am
The Bag Lady can relate to this. She had heel spurs that she ignored until she was so crippled she could scarcely stand. It took THREE years to get rid of them. She tried orthotics, which allowed her to continue working - standing for 12 to 14 hours/day - and physiotherapy, which also helped. She finally had to have shock-wave therapy to break up the calcium deposits. It was painful, but it worked.
She no longer takes her feet for granted.
Now, if she could only lose the 20 lbs she gained during that time, it would all be good!
May 20th, 2008 at 10:13 am
I’m not sure if this is a good idea but does water aerobics take the pressure off your big toe? I know it takes the pressure off so many other parts of your body. Good luck.
Playful Professional’s last blog post..David Vs. David
May 20th, 2008 at 10:53 am
I injured my right hand recently, so I can feel your pain. While clearly not weight bearing, the hand comes in handy, particularly for weight lifting… Did I just write the “hand comes in handy”???????
I would suggest swimming, your kids will love it too. How about biking? That should get your heart rate up and shouldn’t upset the hallus too much.
May 20th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Is this an x-ray of your foot? Are the warning signs sore big toe? What could you have done if you caught it earlier?
May 20th, 2008 at 11:58 am
I’m so sorry to hear about that! But at least you DID go and get it checked out.
Maybe there are other less intensive activities that you’ll be able to do? Your doctor could probably help you out (or someone at the gym etc might have some good ideas).
Sagan’s last blog post..Adapting
May 20th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
What crummy news! But I know you’re one of those people that will turn the lemon into lemonade–so I can’t wait to read about some alternative workouts!
In the Trenches of Mommyhood’s last blog post..A Little Bit Manic Monday
May 20th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
I am so sorry!!!!! Know that there are ways to stay active!!! You can still use free weights and keep your core toned. Yoga might be an option as well….I am not a huge yoga person, but if I was limited on what I could do, I would take it up.
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May 20th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
I’ll just echo what others have said; swimming, cycling (esp, with the kids in a trailer. My kids LOVE that!), yoga, and pilates. Try different types and see which ones you like. (You might really like Ashtanga or power yoga. Just let your instructor know about your injury.)
I’m so sorry to hear about your injury!
May 20th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
So sorry to hear about that! I hope your foot recovers quickly after the surgery. I’m sure you’ll be “up and running” (literally!) in no time…
Stephanie’s last blog post..Kids Clothes that aren’t more expensive than your clothes
May 20th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
charlotte-you are so right, now is the key time to focus on getting my diet under control. (with clean eating) it will also force me to do more weight training, which i definitely lack!
May 20th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
biking with my kids isn’t an option, but fortunately I do have a spin bike. One can only spin for so long though!
May 20th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
oops, not sure what happened as those responses were supposed to be together. anyway, many thanks for all the well wishes and suggestions.
I definitely need to get myself to a pool and also strength train a lot more. I am not able to do fun things such as lunges, or even yoga, on my right foot since it hurts to much to have to bend my toe joint. (check out your toes during downward dog or even a plank) I will modify though…and come back full force after surgery. It’s a bummer though.
bag lady, I’m curious to hear more about your laser treatment…how come no surgery?
new mexico mama–this is not my xray, but mine looked just like it. The warning signs are a sore foot and trouble moving the toe joint. if caught earlier, i could have gotten some orthotics to prevent further damage.
May 20th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Ouchie on the toe!
I got a knee injury 6 years ago ironically from marathon training, and doc said absolutely no running for 8 weeks. I nearly popped a blood vessel as you can imagine. My running pals said it would be hard, but they said if you try and push it you’ll do more damage and may never run again, so which is worse? Ok, perspective.
During that time, since I couldn’t really exercise I started focusing on my food and cleaning up my nutrition. In fact, I almost became a Holistic Chef during that time. This is the inspiration behind Noshtopia actually. I learned so much about foods and their healing properties, as well as getting creative with dishes. I started having dinner parties and everyone was amazed by my creations. That knee injury led me to a whole new world of creativity and learning that I totally forgot about my anxiety about not being able to run for 8 weeks.
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May 20th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Wow, that really sucks. I am very sorry. I am also sorry because I cannot offer you any advice on working out with an injury. Good luck.
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May 20th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
I have had several stress fractures in my feet and shins and in place of running, I have biked or swam. Weight training is also a great option. Good luck.
May 20th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Ohhh..yea..I just had a MRI and Xrays done on my right hip. I have been having lower back problems for years. I found out I have a bulging disk and one of my lower vertebrae is deteriorating. Not much they can do, just some stretches and exercises.
I have had to modify my exercises by limiting my speed when doing cardio and not a lot of hard bike riding. I also cannot lift real heavy when it comes to lower body work.
Angie’s last blog post..Fancy New Way To Take Your Lunch To Work
May 20th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
First…I’m just like you, I need to take the kiddos out for walks and runs, it’ll be a long summer:( Second…I will run the fall Marathon for both of us (I got in to St George). Third…My best friend had this surgery done on both feet at the same time! I nursed her back to health, and now she’s skiing better than ever. There is light at the end of the tunnel:)
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May 20th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
My comment has absolutely nothing to do with Hallux rigidus and everything to do with the Susan Powter ad to the right. I just saw the same one on PerezHilton and clicked on it - how on earth is she 50?!? I mean, I remember the Stop the Insanity movement but she looks so YOUNG in these current pics. Wow.
May 20th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Oh gosh! That STINKS! I can understand your disappointment. I haven’t been running in over a year now due to the stinkin’ chondromalacia in my right knee, and I miss it (the running… and my working knee!) I still want to be active, so I’ve tried out different exercises. I found the elliptical machine doesn’t cause pain and neither does the bike. Actually, I really like the spinning bikes. I can stand up in the foot petals them and “pretend” I’m running. I’ve also learned to make sure I have a thorough stretch time, as well as strength training.
Like I said, I hear ya! I know it really sucks, but I will be hoping and praying you heal smoothly and will be back to your running as soon as possible!
Susan’s last blog post..One of these is not like the others…
May 20th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Oh bummer!
Hope it somehow gets better on it’s own, or that the surgery is not a huge yucky ordeal.
Injuries make me EXTREMELY cranky.
Crabby McSlacker’s last blog post..The Annual Cranky Fitness Exercise Review
May 20th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
You know, I’ve heard about people getting injured and how they’ve adapted their lives and workouts…but, knock on wood, it hasn’t happened to me yet!
That really sucks, Lisa. I’m sorry to hear you have to deal with that.
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May 21st, 2008 at 10:41 am
I’m sorry to hear about your foot pain and the bummer diagnosis. Though it’s a hard thing you’re going through right now, I’m sure you will be able to adapt your workouts while you are on the mend. Keep your head up!
Laura Eilers’s last blog post..Warning: Herbalife Needs To Get The Lead Out
May 21st, 2008 at 10:49 am
Lisa.. sorry to hear about your injury.. IT WILL BE OK. Although I didn’t have surgery because I paid attention and went sooner rather than later.. I did a lot of swimming *well in the water cause I can’t swim..yet*..
so maybe you can do water workouts.. they actually helped my knee heal quicker and while I was on crutches.. I went for walks with the kids.. they actually thought it was fun to outwalk mommy around the track while I walked with my crutches.. maybe that will help.. Feel better soon!
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May 21st, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Hey Lisa, I just wanted to drop by to give a shout out to you and your site,,I want you to know that my Entrecard is designed but I am unable to drop it yet….I received your entrecard will see you on my blog soon.
But I did want to comment on the Big Toe I also have arthritis in many of my joints, and this winter I had a infection on my Big Toe and it was the worse of the worse,you are right you use it for everything! I don’t have any little ones at home but it seemed that I was dropping everything during this time and of course it would hit the toe!!!!!ugh will drop by again kudos on your post.
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May 21st, 2008 at 6:27 pm
that totally sucks Lisa, I’m sorry, But better to just get it done now so you can get back to everything you love ASAP! HUGE HUGS!!!
Fitarella’s last blog post..Is that a stopwatch in your pocket or you just happy to see me?
May 25th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Oh, that stinks! I hope it improves quickly. You’ll still be able to spin right?
May 29th, 2008 at 9:50 am
So sorry to hear about your foot. I am a group fitness instructor - 16 years now, runner and swimmer and stay at home mom of 3 precious children - ages 9,7 and 4 1/2. My foot injury this fall - bunion and neuroma’s - caused me to stop running for 7 months. After custom orthotics and many adjustments, I am still in pain. Those 7 months caused me to hit the weight room and pool more than I used to (which I needed to do). But I do understand, there isn’t anything like running. But encourage you to swim - I have challenged myself with timed exercises and really enjoy the cardio benefits as well as some weight loss. Hopefully we can both get back to running our half marathons.