mjw16

Ok, so last Sunday night I did something really smart (kicking the pavement instead of the ball--in Crocs) and ended up breaking my right big toe in 2 places. Good news is that it doesn't hurt and should heal fine without surgery. I cannot, however, walk on it or exercise for, at least a week, maybe longer depending on my follow up appointment next week. I can tolerate being laid up for a week, I'll just look at it as a break, but any longer and I fear I'll go crazy. The frustrating thing is that I've made great fitness gains the last two years: dropping 30 pounds, normalizing my blood pressure, multi-sport racing, etc, etc and worry about backsliding. I'm currently lifting weights (upper body only) and maintaining a restrictive diet, however, I'm worried about the strength I've built in my legs and overall cardiovascular condition. Hopefully I can return to swimming soon but think cycling, tennis, etc are out for 6 to 10 weeks. I'm trying to think of creative ways to maintain my fitness/strength during this time and thought I'd see what ideas the community has. The greatest disappointment is that Fall is my favorite time of year on the mountain bike and I've never been stronger on the road bike. Oh well, I guess the fact that I'm in the best shape of my life will position me to heal well and (hopefully) quickly.

Thanks and safe riding everyone,

JerrySTL

A week off isn't going to hurt your fitness at all.

Last year I was rough-housing with my dog and managed to kick a piece of furniture barefooted. Two toes turned purple and hurt like hell. I didn't bother going to a doctor as they usually can't do anything about it anyway. The bummer was that it was 3 days and 10 days away from a couple of half marathons that I'd already spent money signing up for. It took a couple of months to heal.

However I found that I could ride my bicycle using stiff cycling shoes. I've also had some luck cycling after a gout attack. The trick was to not bend the toes.

linnefaulk

Take the time to clean your bike.

Don't rush the healing. Listen to your doctor.

mjw16

Ok, so I'm now entering my 3rd week and still cannot get on the bike/in the pool. Have a Dr's appt. tomorrow, am eager to see what he says. I still have some swelling and some new pain, I think it's part of the nerves' (hopefully) healing process (I torn the skin all the way across the big toe with the broken bone exposed-compound fracture). I'm following doctor's orders and staying off it as much as possible, but I may be looking at another 3 weeks, at least, before I can even think of getting back on the bike. I'm looking for a trainer now, for a couple of reasons I may ride out the rest of the year inside. My wife says that my legs are already getting smaller and the sedentary demands of this injury are getting on my nerves.

achoo

3 weeks? Don't worry too much what your doc says as doctors tend to be REALLY conservative, unless they're well-versed and very experienced in sports medicine. Unless he finds your toe is failing to heal - a non-union. Then you'd probably want to stay off the bike.

If you're going through physical therapy, you'll probably get a much better answer from your therapist.

So get a trainer, ride it. If it starts to hurt too much, stop. Get back on as soon as you can.

Ice your toe after rides - stick it in a bucket of ice for 10-15 minutes. Warning: that will hurt like H-E-L-L the first few times you do it.

Watch out for swelling in your entire foot - you might need bigger shoes for while.

rumrunn6

since an exercise bike doesn't pose environmental risks and the foot & toes remain motionless on the platforms, maybe you can use that at the gym?