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Painful Big Toe

Hi Guys,

Have any of you experienced a condition I have that affects the foot called 'extensor tendonitis'?  Basically, I kneel a lot when I'm weeding and this bends the big toes upwards causing the extensor ligament to stretch and become inflamed. It affects my right toe and is the cause of a lot of pain as the day wears on. Rest is the usual answer to this type of injury but there's no chance of that at this time of the year! I am interested in any advice on how to manage this problem and get through to winter without causing permanent damage to my toe.

Many thanks

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Replies

  • Do you wear good quality steel toe work boots Jeff?

    • This has to be the obvious question as you can't bend your toes when you kneel wearing them.

    • I did wear safety boots but they made it worse so I have resorted to wearing walking shoes. Maybe clog type shoes would be better?

  • PRO

    Hi Jeff.

    I had tendonitis in my wrist last autumn through to Feb this year. It was bloody painful! I tried to soldier on hoping it would just recover but only got worse and worse. GP said you basically just need to completely rest it and let the tendon calm down, which I ended up doing for about three weeks in Feb. Just did nothing at all. It is pretty much completely healed now and I'm back to normal. 

    One of my customers had the same problem a few years ago and she said her GP gave her a steroid injection in her wrist and it cleared up completely in 24 hours. She told me it would be worth me asking at the GP to see if they would offer me a steroid injection. She had been in agony for months and then completely back to normal within 24 hours. 

    It might be worth pursuing this. If you explain that you need to work and simply cannot rest they should be accommodating.  

    • PRO
      They may do it once but you will struggle to get another from them)the steroid injection ) as it actually weakens the tendon so it's a last resort type treatment.
      I had one in my shoulder in which I have arthritis and it worked brilliantly for about 5-6 months but it came back and they won't give me another injection. So another operation it is in winter!
  • try a pair of clogs but get ones with rubber on the soles years ago I had a pair with irons on (sounded like a horse when walking down the street) they will take a bit of getting used to

    • That sounds interesting, can you suggest a brand name?

      • PRO
        Sorry folks but if you're using any tools that may endanger your feet. This includes forks spades strimmers mowers among many many others then you should be wearing steel top capped boots or shoes. No excuses! Any if my guys turn up in non steelies they go home.....simples! No clogs, no walking shoes, flip flops is insane! Steelies should prevent muscular or tendon damage as well when kneeling as your toes don't need to bend. Please please please wear steel toe capped footwear.
        • I've now modified my boots to lessen the pain so am back to wearing them. Felt vulnerable not wearing them. 

  • I must be kneeling in strange way.................. my toes don't bend upwards when I kneel!:)   Just checked on the kitchen floor.

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