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Dlonetti
August, 2024

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Big Toe Probs

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Most-D
Posts: 729 - Karma: 1,088
Hi all,

After two days hiking and skiing in badly fitting boots, I fucked up my big toe - and now (approx 4 weeks later) the whole toe nail is about to fall off.

Just wondering how long you guys recommend me waiting until I get my new boots properly fitted. I'm guessing its gunna be at least 2 months until the nail grows back, and I'd like to know if anyone can confirm this (or not) from their own experience - as I think it'd be best to get new boots when the whole nail has regrown and my big toe is back to normal. I'm also assuming that skiing is off the cards until it has completely grown back - can anyone confirm?

Two things:
- sorry that this is a bit of a gross thread
- before anyone calls me out for being an idiot about my boots: I know (although they've never been perfect, I've been riding in them for about 3 years and have never had any kind of problem like this before - either way, its time for a new fitting)

Cheers NS!
Feb 5 2015 6:56PM
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japanada
Posts: 13784 - Karma: 1,957
Rip the nail off, itll feel better and then youll be good for new boots. As long as your sliding around in the boots your toes are gonna hurt. Get new boots that fit!!!
Feb 5 2015 7:15PM
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Charlie*
Posts: 198 - Karma: 579
Once it falls off it will honestly feel a lot better. Keep skiing unless your boots fit so badly that your worried about further damage otherwise it's no big deal. It will grow back pretty quickly. If your already at the 4 week mark and you think its about to fall off, odds are theres a new toenail already coming in underneath and will only take a month or so to get back to normal. I dont see the point in holding off on new boots either, aside from maybe getting a friendly ribbing from the bootfitter; you should get yourself into proper fitting boots asap.

Happened to me a few seasons back when I had poor fitting boots. It's not that big of a deal. I went back to skiing immediately after and found it felt better than before...it was pretty hard to get toe bang after losing the nail.
Feb 5 2015 7:16PM
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Rparr
Posts: 5486 - Karma: 44,300
I've never fucked up my big toe THAT bad, but I have a few friends who have.

A couple of them tried to ski without the toenail. One of them is as tough as nails, it didn't seem to affect him. He did a whole day on it. The other one wasn't as successful, it resulted in profuse bleeding.He tried wrapping it in gauze several times before he went out.

I'd probably wait for the nail to grow back.
Feb 5 2015 7:17PM
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freestyler540
Posts: 13077 - Karma: 18,697
I had toebang twice in my life. The best part is when the nail falls off. There is a crust that forms to replace the nail temporarily.

What can you do? Nothing really if it hurts. A couple of days off will let the crust set in, and your good to go. Stick with antibacterial cremes and lots of air. recheck your boots a properly fitted boot should not hurt at all.
Feb 5 2015 7:22PM
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a_burger
Posts: 5222 - Karma: 20,440
as long as the boot doesnt fit, you won't be happy. Get that fixed first.

When I screwed up my toenail a few seasons ago I just wrapped it tightly for skiing until it came off in the shower one day. Took a month or two, but since I had gotten footbeds it didnt really hurt much.
Feb 5 2015 7:24PM
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mseward
Posts: 1041 - Karma: 1,243
this has happened to me way to many fucking times. both surgically and just from blunt force.

If it falls off on its own, it probably wont even hurt or be sensitive and your good to go and get new boots you dont need to wait until the nail grows back. If you need to surgically remove it , itll hurt like a bitch until the nail bed heals. Once you can comfortably wear shoes again you can get new boots fitted. the nail wont effect the fit of the boot.

Also, you can ski without a full toenail. As long as you can put pressure on the nailbed without pain you're good to go!
Feb 5 2015 7:41PM
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O.Ps-Mom
Posts: 155 - Karma: 147
If the boot fits wear it.

-Woody from toy story

On a serious note I got toe bang really bad one time and just skied in a pair of thick wool socks, I just put my buckles on the loosest and it worked well, also great if you frequently get cold toes.
Feb 5 2015 8:06PM
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rballs_
Posts: 709 - Karma: 2,991
I currently have no big toenail. It doesn't hurt while skiing, just might feel a bit weird at first. Go ski
Feb 5 2015 10:42PM
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Most-D
Posts: 729 - Karma: 1,088
Thanks everybody!
Feb 8 2015 4:44PM
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