Big Toe Joint Pain

[Mlevison]

In the past few weeks, I have suffered a series of problems with the big toe ball joint. Three weeks ago, I went from no problem to swelling overnight in my left foot. The swelling was centred around the big toe joint. I didn't row at all or walk much for three weeks. On Thursday, I rowed for 30 minutes at an easy 2:30/500m pace. On Friday my I had real pain in the ball joint of my right foot and could hardly walk again.

This seems clear evidence that the problem is linked to my rowing.

Could this be:
- Poor form?
- Too much flexion in the toe joint when I'm at closest to the front of the machine (catch phase?)
- Not enough stretching?
- Not enough water?
- Wrong Shoes - I wear New Balance 840 Wide - because I have wide feet and they accomodate my insoles

I've found this article: https://www.rowingdoc.com/post/rowing-m ... -foot-pain - I would have guessed this isn't my problem. I keep my toe straps tight and mostly try to keep my feet flat on the platform when rowing.

Are there good stretches, post workout to stay flexible and avoid problems in the future? I already do stair and wall stretches to help with gastrocnemius - see: https://www.davidredfernsurgery.com/gastrocstretches

Past History: 3yrs ago, I had real mobility problems because of tight leg muscles and walking long distances

[Ombrax]

Might be gout.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-con ... c-20372897

If any of the info at the link above sounds relevant try following the dietary advice - there's a good chance that will solve the problem.

Good Luck

Caveat: I am not a doctor

[Mlevison]

Thanks - @Ombrax - I promise I don't expect a doctor. I've talked my Doctor about an earlier round of this problem and basically she ruled out the obvious stuff and then said something to the effect of "soft tissue, go see a physio". Physio's in Ontario aren't covered under OHIP and the one I use doesn't really know rowing. So I'm better off educating myself.

Gout - interesting angle. I went down the list of items that could cause gout. It seems unlikely. (I don't eat red meat, drink very little etc).

Thanks for moving the ball forward.

[jamesg]

If it's erg linked, you need to find out how, and correct what can be corrected. For example "Too much flexion in the toe joint when I'm at closest to the front of the machine" and "I keep my toe straps tight" can be explored.

Straps can be tight, but not necessarily and not over the instep.

How close to heels do you get? C2 says "vertical shins", which follows from the standard technique of getting the weight well onto the feet asap, by swinging forward before sliding.

[Ombrax]

Straps can be tight, but not necessarily and not over the instep.

Of course the simplest way to check if it's a strap induced issue is to row strapless a few times and see if the problem goes away or is not as bad.