Black Toe - Skiers and Runners Beware

BLACK TOE

What is Black Toe?

Runners Toe

Skiers Toe

Runners Toe

Runners Toe is a condition caused by friction on the foot.

Friction can be caused by any of the following:

  • Shoes that are too short or too tight
  • A toe box that does not fit your foot shape
  • Tight socks
  • Downhill walking or running
  • Swollen feet
  • Overpronation causing the foot to elongate within the shoe

    • Skiers Toe

    Skiers Toe is caused by landing back on the backs of your skiis. It is the result of rapid deceleration of the first and often second toe against the toe box of the ski boot. In other words it is like you are kicking a wall with bare feet.

    If you are crazy good at cliffs and jumps chances are that you have had this condition at least one season of your skiing career.

    This is also a common condition in Tennis and Hiking where the there is rapid stop and start motion in the footwear. Or when an athlete wears a specialized shoe as in Rock Climbing and Ballett.

    Preventing Skiers Toe

    BOOTS, BOOTS, BOOTS, BOOTS, BOOTS, BOOTS, and BOOTS

    The biggest factor in preventing Black Toe while skiing is to wear the proper boots. If the cuff is to narrow and the rest of your foot is to loose - BlackToe. If the toe box is too large and your foot slides around - BlackToe. If you wear multiple pairs of socks that bunch up - BlackToe

    Skiers Toe can be prevented with the proper boot. Here are some links to get you started: BootFitters, Sure Foot Park City, DaleBoot, How to Ski Article

    Other things you can do:

  • Clip your nails. If you have some nasty sand diggers on the end of your toes trim them as close as you can.
  • Wear only one pair of socks.
  • Land more forward. This may be all you need to prevent BlackToe. If you have a habit of landing "in the back seat" you are more prone to BlackToe. Learning to land properly is scarey at first but will be very rewarding over time. You may want to take smaller cliffs and jumps this entire season.
  • If you feel pressure or it hurts even a little get off the mountain and elevate your feet.
    •

    But what if it is too late?

    *Warning proceed at your own discomfort. Only view the following pages if you are actually in this condition or have a strong stomach. I am not a doctor and this is only suggested advice from my personal experience.*

    Treatment - Step 1

    *Warning proceed at your own discomfort. Only view the following pages if you are actually in this condition or have a strong stomach. I am not a doctor and this is only suggested advice from my personal experience.*

    Wait 24 hours with your foot elevated before doing anything else.

    Wait

    I have tried this many times without any change. It has never worked for me.

    Treatment - Step 2

    *Warning proceed at your own discomfort. Only view the following pages if you are actually in this condition or have a strong stomach. I am not a doctor and this is only suggested advice from my personal experience.*

    Evaluate where you should make a hole.

    The best place to make a hole is the darkest spot in the nail bed.

    (My Toes)

    Treatment - Step 3

    *Warning proceed at your own discomfort. Only view the following pages if you are actually in this condition or have a strong stomach. I am not a doctor and this is only suggested advice from my personal experience.*

    Drill

    There are many ways to relieve the pressure. I have tried all of the following in the last 11 years:

    -Hot Paper Clip

    -Razor Blade

    -Hot Needle

    -Drill Bit

    The least painful and most effective way is the drill bit. Sterilize a new drill bit with alcohol. Make sure it is a small bit. I am using a 1/16th. I find it most helpful to drill one hole on each side of the nail.

    Treatment - Warning

    *Warning proceed at your own discomfort. Only view the following pages if you are actually in this condition or have a strong stomach. I am not a doctor and this is only suggested advice from my personal experience.*

    Do not use a hot needle!

    I have tried this method. It is extremely dangerous and very painful. I have heated up a needle and pushed it through a melting nail. The entire time I was pushing it made the pressure nearly unbearable. Once it made it through the nail it quickly lanced the soft flesh of the nailbed.

    The drill bit method is simple and it only takes about two minutes of pressure free twisting. Just gently twist the drill bit between your fingers and the bit will do all the work for you.

    Treatment - Step 4

    *Warning proceed at your own discomfort. Only view the following pages if you are actually in this condition or have a strong stomach. I am not a doctor and this is only suggested advice from my personal experience.*

    Drain the blood from the toenail.

    The pain comes from the extreme pressure of the blood pushing the nail up and away from the nail bed. Once the drill bit makes it through the nail, the blood will most likely spurt out. After the pressure is released you can gently push on the nail to let out the remaining blood.

    Treatment - Final Step

    *Warning proceed at your own discomfort. Only view the following pages if you are actually in this condition or have a strong stomach. I am not a doctor and this is only suggested advice from my personal experience.*

    Clean the nail and protect it from further infection. Below you can see the result. P.S. Your nail(s) will fall off in the spring.

    Good Luck and keep skiing/running.

    Description: This tutorial is for everyone that has ever gotten Black-Toe. It is also called Skiers Toe, and Runners Toe.

    By: CurtisJMorley Rating: Rated 4 Stars Views: 228
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