Runner's Toe

Original Editor - Kapil Narale

Top Contributors - Kapil Narale, Kim Jackson and Sai Kripa  

Introduction

While running, the feet, no doubt, can be the most injured body part. This would probably occur with overtraining, disregarding any pain, or not practicing self-care/preventative care. Runner's Toe can be described as toenail damage, and would occur when the toe is rubbing against the front of the shoe , or toes are rubbing against each other , especially if the shoe is too small, narrow, or too large and there is space in front for the foot and toes to move. This would generally occur especially when running downhill.

What is Runner's Toe

Runner' Toe is quite common amongst frequent and long distance runners, and trail runners. Runner's toe is a non-severe injury that can most commonly occur to the big toe or second toe, due to its bigger size, and proximity to the front of the shoe. It can be described as the blackening of your toenail when your toe repeatedly hits and rubs against your shoe , or against each other , causing stress on the toenail. This would lead to bleeding under the toenail, which would give it a black appearance. Loss of the toenail can also be experienced by the nail being pushed down into the nailbed, causing it to be bruised and inflamed, thus breaking off.

Runner's toe can be known as:

• Runner's Toenail
• Jogger' Toenail
• Tennis Toe
• Subungual Hematoma

As mentioned, this generally occurs when running downhill, when the foot is being pushed forward, in the shoe, with each step. Running in hot weather can also cause Runner's Toe. The hot weather can cause your feet to swell, thus increasing the pressure in your shoe.

Other Causes

A black toenail can also be a sign of:

• Fungal Infection
• Chronic Ingrown Toenail
• Benign bone tumor called called subungual exostosis
• Melanonychia striata
• Cancerous tumor

The damp feet from sweat, which runner's usually have, can likely cause fungal infections, especially since fungi thrive in moist environments.

Cancers and other tumors are rare.

Other Activities

You can also experience Runner's Toe or such symptoms in other activities, including:

• Rock Climbing
• Soccer
• Squash
• Racquetball
• Tennis

Rock Climber often wear tight shoes, and they are seen to stick their foot/feet in holes, for support and elevation. Depending on the size and placement, this can cause Runner' Toe.

With Soccer players, repeatedly kicking the ball can cause stress to their toenails. This would lead to blood leaking from the vessels directly underneath. This can also be caused by kicking the ball too hard with the top of your toe. Soccer players most commonly experience Runner's Toe on their first and second toe.

Tennis and Squash players can result with damage to their toenail from the continuous moving, shuffling, pivoting, changing directions, and thrusting/rubbing against their shoe, which will cause stress to their toe.

Symptoms of Runner's Toe

Runner's Toe doesn't occur after a single exposure to stress, but rather a repeated prolonged exposure of stress to the toenail from your shoe.

Symptoms that may be experienced include:

• Dark red toenail, which would be acute/new damage
• Black toenail, which would be chronic and prolonged/older damage
• Loose toenail , thick brittle nail that will usually fall off
• Pain
• Blood blisters
• Pressure under the toenail
• Loss of the toenail, from pressure causing the toenail to lift off the nailbed
• Trouble walking
• Trouble wearing shoes
• Swelling or tenderness under the tip of the toe

The more blood under the toenail, the more it will hurt.

Prevalence of Runner's Toe

This can be common in runners training for long distance races.

It is seen that Men have a higher chance of running injuries, compared to Women.

A history of previous injury makes a recurring injury more likely.

The use of orthotics or shoe inserts is linked to a higher risk of injury.

Potential risk factors for Men are:

• Running >40 miles per week
• Running between 20 and 29 miles per week
• Having less than 2 years of running experience
• Recommencing running after an extended break/time off

Potential risk factors for Women are:

• Age
• Previous sport injury
• Running on concrete surfaces
• Running between 30 and 39 miles per week
• Wearing the same running shoes beyond 4 to 6 months

Treatment

If you notice symptoms, but your toe and nail don't hurt, there may not be anything you need to do. Sometimes the best thing you can do is to let the blackened toe grow out, and remove itself from the nailbed. The nail and nailbed may fall off on its own, and will grow back. The lost toenail will take about 6-9 months to completely grow back.

However, if you do experience pain, and/or you have trouble walking, it is best to see your doctor to rule out any broken toes or such issues.

With the presence of Runner's Toe, a procedure known as Nail Trephination will be carried out.

Nail Trephination is when the pooled blood is drained, by drilling a small hole in the nail with a heated needle or carbon dioxide laser. As a result of the blood collection, the nail may fall off after treatment. The nail may fall off anyhow, but it will grow back. If there was damage to the nail bed, it may be deformed as well.

If there is no pain, you can continue to run, but need to ensure that the nail is trimmed short, and that you guard against further injury.

The nail may fall off any time up to 6 months . If, and when, the nail falls off, you want to ensure that you clean the area with soap and water twice a day, and cover it with a bandage for protection while it heals. When it falls of, if it is bleeding, you want to ensure that you apply pressure to it, to control the bleeding. Applying petroleum jelly might be helpful as it is healing, to keep the skin moist.

Expert/Professional Assistance

After draining, if the pain lasts for more than a few days, you may need to see your doctor or podiatrist.

You may need extra attention if:

• There is damage to the base of the nail
• A deep cut or laceration is present
• It continues bleeding
• It looks infected

If it is not treated, infection can cause further complications. Ensure to be aware of signs such as:

• Fluid or pus
• Increased swelling and redness
• Worsening pain
• Red streaks in the skin
• Fever
• Throbbing or heat in the toe

Prevention

Here are some tips to prevents foot injuries, especially Runner's Toe:

• Choose proper fitting running shoes.

Running shoes should be chosen according to running style, running dynamics, and even running terrain. You'd want to make sure your shoes are fitting properly, so they are snug , with half an inch in front for your big toe. One thumb width can also be a good indicator. You would want some space to wiggle your toes. You wouldn't want to wear socks that are too thick either, as this may eliminate the space for your toes to move around. Sometimes the best thing to do is try your running socks on with your running shoes, before purchasing the shoes.

If you have flat feet, you'd want to make sure your shoes are wider to support the middle arch.

If you have a high arch, you'd want to make sure to have special adjustments, or orthotics on your shoes as well.

You'd also want to make sure your shoes have a smaller heel-toe drop/offset. You'd want a low height from the heel to the toe, from the back to the front. Your foot won't be as likely to slip forward.

Check out Shoe Analysis - Basic Anatomy of a Running Shoe, and Shoe Analysis - Fitting a Shoe for more information on running shoes.

• Tie your shoelaces properly

The way you tie your shoelaces can affect the pressure in your foot. You can get the most comfort possible out of your shoes if you tie the shoelaces with a proper lacing technique.

The way you tie your laces should:

• Allow for proper blood flow
• Have room for flexibility/moveability of your feet
• Be tight enough to prevent sliding and rubbing
• Prevent the shoes from applying pressure on delicate areas, especially while running
• Keep your heels snug and steady, to avoid ankle sprains

It is recommended to use the Heel-Lock "Runner's Knot" lacing technique.

• Keeping your toenails trimmed is also a good idea,

This way your toenails don't easily rub against the front of your shoe. If they are shorter than the skin surface of your toes, the only thing that'll touch your shoe is your toe. You also want to make sure they're not too short, and without awkward edges, otherwise you may face having ingrown toenails.

• Wear Moisture-Wicking Socks, instead of wearing no socks.

If you happen to not wear socks in your running shoes, your damp and wet toes could cause your feet to slide forward into the toe box with more pressure than with walking. Its a good idea to wear proper fitting moisture-wicking socks that will keep your shoes relatively dry, and keep your feet firmly in place. You'd also want socks that provide enough cushioning between your foot and your shoe, and for your foot to sit comfortably.

• Work on Your Running Technique

Having a proper running technique, picking up your feet, and not sliding them forward, would help to reduce the risk of injury. Although Runner's Toe usually occurs in frequent long-distance runners, it can also occur in less experienced runners who may not be running with a proper technique.

• Soak your feet in salt water for 5-10 minutes each day

This will help in reducing infection that may lead to, or be caused by Runner's Toe.

• Use Toe Protectors

These would prevent against any friction between adjacent toes, and between the toes and shoes. These provide great cushioning and protect against any blisters.

• Slowly Increase Mileage

You don't want to increase you mileage too quickly, especially if you are a less experienced runner. Less experienced runners who increased their mileage by more than 30% over 2 weeks are more likely to experience an injury, than those who increase their mileage by less than 10%.

In most cases, there are no long-term consequences of having Runner's Toenail.

However, these action will help heal your Runner's Toenail symptoms:

• Decreasing your mileage
• Replacing your running shoes
• Correcting running mechanics that may be enduring more stress on your toes

Media Message

Here is a very well explained video of Runner's Toe :