Broken Toe

Well, I kicked the couch as I was walking past (accident) and broke the fourth toe on my right foot.

It actually isn't that painful normally but is quite swollen and bruised so it's uncomfortable when in shoes (particularly stiff cycling shoes).

I'll go mad if I don't ride for a few weeks so am thinking of just putting up with a bit of pain for a while.

Anyone know if this is stupid, or could lead to permanent damage? It's only a toe, and not much you can do about it medically, so is there any harm in potentially inflaming it through exercise?

I've done exactly the same thing (altohugh mine was a door, not the couch).

Take your doctor's advice....I had to take about 3 weeks off the bike completely. Better to let it heal in a month than have chronic pain for life by coming back too early and really damaging it.

I second that. I proke my big , and that big knuckle behind it, I was on crutches for two weeks, and back to work in four(tree climber) it was too soon and I still have pain in my foot, no recourse now. I am 27 and I've learned my lesson, between broken bones and other body traumas, I am back in college, no more tree climbing, and I have learned that you need to let your body heal so you don't end up an ol 27 year old. Oh well could be worse, I could not be able to ride, that would be a tragedy.

Have done similar things to toes. First was walked into platform shoe of "bride to be" ( 30 years ago)
That was Casualty, xray, morphine, wheel chair - the complete disaster!

Beleive me the discomfort level in the first few days will tell you if its serious or minor.

Last time was L. little toe. Bent way back and hurt like hell. Just sat down on floor, pulled it straight, hobbled into bathroom, checked alignment and taped it to the toe beside. Then hobble to fridge for icepack and towel to cover it. Dont want ice burn as well as a break.

Rest, occasional ice packs and elevate the foot when sitting down will speed up healing. No magic cure though.
Just use a couple of band aids to tape the broken one to the next biggest toe, not too tight. Will act as a splint.

Would not be clever to rush things. Toe could set at an odd angle and make wearing shoes painful. Dont want to have to get Doc to re-break and re-set it in 6 months time because you were impatient.

Get the **** bike out of the shed and give it a good clean. That will make you feel better.

Cheers
Hugh

Im 17 and ride bmx and two days ago my chain snagged without me knowing and snapped causing me to stub my big toe on the floor..im now in a plaster cast up to my knee and on crutches for 3 weeks..atm i feel totally down an feel like throwing my bike in a river due to injuries all the time..if anybody else regularly occurs back problems and knee problems have you any advice?

thnx gal