A sore big toe

[Shoulderpain]

I get a sore big toe from playing badminton, specifically, the big toe on my dominant (right) foot. I haven't played for a couple weeks waiting for the pain to go away, but I was just wondering if this is unique to me, or a common problem.

Does anyone else suffer from this?

[bigredlemon]

Originally posted by Shoulderpain
I get a sore big toe from playing badminton, specifically, the big toe on my dominant (right) foot. I haven't played for a couple weeks waiting for the pain to go away, but I was just wondering if this is unique to me, or a common problem.

Does anyone else suffer from this?

i get blisters there all the time. Buy a insert cushion, it helps alot. And replace it every few months.

[Shoulderpain]

Thanks for the advice, but it's not blisters - I never get blisters after I've been playing for a while. It's more like joint pain - I can actually see that the area at the base of my big toe is larger and red, and it hurts.

Then again, an insert cushion sounds like a good idea...I'll try it and I hope it works. Where do you buy them? Like at a shoe store, or at a sporting goods store?

[bigredlemon]

I usually get them at any local store. Drug store, supermarket, etc. I find that it's alot more expensive at a shoe store. Price is sometimes double actually what they are sold as else where. Get the anti-shock ones.

[Joanne]

Cool! Didn't know there were such things.! I've got sore toes and blisters too, and my mum was so worried. Now I can try and use whatever that is. :)

[kwun]

Shoulderpain, you should rename yourself to be BigToePain. :)

not sure if this is obvious, but did you cut your toenails? i have found that long toesnails are common cause of toe pain.

[Shoulderpain]

Toepain...Shoulderpain...a rose by any other name would still be as painful, as Shakespeare never wrote or said.

By the way, I don't think it's my toenails, because the pain is at the base of the toe, the joint area at the bottom. I'll cut them short just to be safe, and because having them surgically removed is too expensive (right now...next year is another story).

[bigredlemon]

Originally posted by Shoulderpain
Toepain...Shoulderpain...a rose by any other name would still be as painful, as Shakespeare never wrote or said.

By the way, I don't think it's my toenails, because the pain is at the base of the toe, the joint area at the bottom. I'll cut them short just to be safe, and because having them surgically removed is too expensive (right now...next year is another story). I think i know exactly what you are talking about. That use to happen to me when i used to wear skateboard shoes. i think it has something to do with both a hard sole and a lack of a soft-foam that conforms to your feet shape. I think getting a anti-shock insert cushion will still be the way to go. BTW, i've tried anti-shock cushions (mostly by Dr Scholls) that were from $2 to $15, and didn't find much of a difference, aside from the marketing gimmicks of course. It's better to buy 2 oe 3 pairs of the cheaper anti-shock ones ($2) and replace them every month than to buy the higher end blue sport anti-shock ones ($15) and only replacing them ever 2 or 3 months. Their pre-cut inserts are a little on the small side though. The insert for size 9-11 is actually too small for my size 9 shoe!! Get a size slightly bigger, and cut down if needed.

[Shoulderpain]

Thanks for the advice, bigredlemon! I hope to kiss my toe pain goodbye (figuratively speaking, of course).

[Shoulderpain]

By the way, if anyone is still interested...and I sense that the answer to that is NO...I did a little research to find out why my toe hurts. It's called TURF TOE, and it's a condition that tends to afflict athletes who play on hard surfaces with very flexible shoes. Football players who play on artificial turf most commonly get it, which explains the name of the condition. If anyone wants to know more about it, just type in "Turf Toe" on your search, and the info will come up.

I still haven't started playing again.

[viver]

Originally posted by Shoulderpain
By the way, if anyone is still interested...and I sense that the answer to that is NO...I did a little research to find out why my toe hurts. It's called TURF TOE, and it's a condition that tends to afflict athletes who play on hard surfaces with very flexible shoes. Football players who play on artificial turf most commonly get it, which explains the name of the condition. If anyone wants to know more about it, just type in "Turf Toe" on your search, and the info will come up.

I still haven't started playing again.

Did you mention before that you play at VRC? Or my mistake! :rolleyes:

[Shoulderpain]

Actually viver, I don't play at all, right now because of this toe thing, but when I do play, I play on Saturdays at Coal Harbour Community Center in downtown Vancouver from 3- 5 pm. You should drop by sometime to see just how bad a player I really am.

[viver]

Originally posted by Shoulderpain
Actually viver, I don't play at all, right now because of this toe thing, but when I do play, I play on Saturdays at Coal Harbour Community Center in downtown Vancouver from 3- 5 pm. You should drop by sometime to see just how bad a player I really am.

Just trying to figure out the relationship between your injury with the place you practice. Thought you mentioned before you were playing at VRC. Everything is clear now.

Never played at Coal Harbour Community center. Name is familiar but don't know where it is. About level I don't believe I am better than you. But should try to go over there someday and have a game. ;)

[Cheung]

Viver, you are so modest.

Shoulderpain/toepain.....perhaps you should consider a podiatrist for advice on footwear

[viver]

Originally posted by Cheung
Viver, you are so modest.

Shoulderpain/toepain.....perhaps you should consider a podiatrist for advice on footwear

Hi Cheung,
The (cruel) reality is you can't be good if you don't practice. You know, I haven't practiced for many many years. I mean practice, practicing my shots, drills and fitness. Now I play once a week and you can't choose your opponents.

During games I can see my mistakes. Unforced ones. There are a lot of things I need to work on but so far can't find a partner willing to do the things I'd like to do. I'd be happy if I could just maintain my level. :(

[Loh]

I don't think I can blame you, Viver. Your two young boys are taking away most of your time. And as a devoted father, you are absolutely right in encouraging them in their soccer. Of course, it would have been much better if they had chosen badminton instead. For then, you can "steal" some time to practise with them or offer your services to assist the badminton coach. It will be a great waste not to put what you have learnt from your badminton coaching courses, your reputable Chinese coaches and your training as a PE teacher! From what I have read from your earlier posts, the time spent with your Chinese coaches must have been the most interesting and rewarding. I suppose they converse in Mandarin or in Cantonese? I say so because I usually converse with Yao Fen in Cantonese since my Mandarin is so bad. Incidentally, I have partnered YF in doubles, usually against men players, and she was the one who call the shots! We normally beat the guys or gave them a very hard fight.

[viver]

My oldest son is 18 and is in his first year in university. He is not that committed to soccer but was spotted by someone who invited him to try out a local premier division team. He is considering the invitation but the studies takes about all his spare time. My 2 younger ones, 'luckily' 1 gave up soccer and prefers swimming. At least for me I do not have to shuttle around during weekends for their games. Imagine when they are playing in fields that sometimes are 40/50 kms apart. True that we have to dedicate our time for the kids now. At least it could save me a lot of time and trouble when they get a little bit older.

I had to 'learn' Mandarin to communicate with my coach. He came from Beijing and spoke Mandarin, not Cantonese. My team mates are fluent in Mandarin and also helped in the translation. Learning from him it was an eye opener. I had to change everything and learning from scratch: strokes, footwork. The good thing is that my coach never coached players of my level. While he was adapting to my level, I got a lot of information on the techniques - information that were probably more suitable for higher level players. But I did not mind. :D

One of the coaches I had was Zhao Wei Kin, Guangzhou provincial coach. At that time, Yao Fen was still a player from Guangzhou province. I did not have opportunity to meet her but my students did. They mentioned that they played with Yao Fen when they went to a badminton camp at Guangzhou. Too bad I could not go that time.

Playing with/against high level players is really an unforgettable experience. I remember partnering my coach playing against 2 former Chinese national players. Though 1 was about in his late 40's and another around 40. I was the one doing all the smashing at the back and could only wonder the speed my coach was intercepting everything in the front. I could only think the difference between me a common mortal player with them. And they were not in their peak already. Worse was I was at mine, I think.

:(

[Shoulderpain]

Originally posted by Cheung
Viver, you are so modest.

Shoulderpain/toepain.....perhaps you should consider a podiatrist for advice on footwear

Thanks for the advice...I've been surprised that no one questioned my footwear, because in fact I use an incredibally CHEAP, NON-BADMINTON shoe to play on. The truth is that these $10 (!) shoes feel great when I play, but the toe pain is a bad sign. Then again, I had this pain before when I was playing on really expensive badminton shoes that fit me well.

[Cheung]

Is not proper footwear most important?


Or maybe shorts that do not rip when you go for a lunge are more important?:o

[Shoulderpain]

I think that in the end, I may have to change the socks I'm wearing...not 100% cotton! Finally I've figured the problem out.

[Xuser]

Just as Cheung had mentioned, better to check with a Podiatrist. I have pain on my foot too. It started below my big toe, at the ball of my foot. Ironically, it was similar to your situation where I bought my new Yonex badminton shoes (SHB-92) last two years ago. No doctor that I've seen can provide me with an accurate diagnosys, except one Occupational Therapist, who mentioned that I may have Sesamoititis.

Now, I have lots of pain that comes on and off on my left foot. I'm still waiting for my Othorpedic custom insoles. Many people I spoke with who had pain on their feet, had wore these insoles and had helped them tremendously. I can't wait for mine to be ready.