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750 Views 3 Replies Latest reply: Mar 23, 2012 5:39 PM by midwifemom RSS
swtgeorgia74 Rookie 1 posts since
Mar 13, 2012
Currently Being Moderated

Mar 13, 2012 9:51 AM

Can I run on a partially torn big toenail?

Help! Never had this issue before. I'm pretty sure that my big toenail is almost ripped off; it's not loose, but I was expereincing pain, then stubbed it and it bled and felt like it had risen up a little. Now, I don't know if running will make it come off completely or how long it needs to heal, etc.

Thanks!

  • Jasko123 Legend 461 posts since
    Apr 18, 2011
    Currently Being Moderated
    1. Mar 14, 2012 1:46 PM (in response to swtgeorgia74)
    Can I run on a partially torn big toenail?

    The liklihood of re-attachment is important.  I would say see your doctor, and short term try to re-position the nail, wrap it in guaze and get a gel toe protector from the drug store.  You may want to try hydrogene peroxide and neosporin on a regular basis to avoid infection. 

     

    The healing time depends on the level of injury, interventions and so on.  You could probably run in a couple of days if it is stabilized and wrapped, but it would be best to get a professional medical opinion, especially if there is any additional bleeding or pain.  If you totally lose the toenail, that is a different story, so just be cautious.

     

    Wishing you all the best and a speedy recovery!

  • JamesJohnsonLMT Legend 1,064 posts since
    Aug 23, 2009
    Currently Being Moderated
    2. Mar 15, 2012 1:10 PM (in response to swtgeorgia74)
    Can I run on a partially torn big toenail?

    I wouldn't. If you get past the risk of infection that Jasko wrote about, and it skins over and is no longer scabbed, red, or otherwise inflammed, you've got a shot. Meanwhile, I'd cross-train in running sandals at the most. You don't want this thing to be on fire very long before getting an anti-biotic prescribed. Sorry, but no running now, is better than running with no toe later.

  • midwifemom Expert 51 posts since
    Jul 6, 2011
    Currently Being Moderated
    3. Mar 23, 2012 5:39 PM (in response to JamesJohnsonLMT)
    Can I run on a partially torn big toenail?

    I'm going to go against the grain here and say, keep it clean (soap and water, a little neosporin if you can get it where it would be helpful), tape it down nice and tight, and get running.  Same thing happened to me right in the middle of my first 5K training program.  Foot Dr. said, if it's coming off, it's coming off, you're not going to fix that.  It hurt like a bugger for 4 or 5 days, I just used some really good medical tape to keep it from getting pulled up again accidentally, and then it stopped hurting altogether.  About 10 days later, the nail just fell off altogether.  Ugly?  You betcha!  Still is. 

     

    Good luck!





    Keep Pushing, Always.

    Midwifemom

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