Outline · [ Standard ] · Linear+ Great Toe Penetrating Lubricant, Great Toe broken in car accident

[Martin]

I just located you @ random on the net. I'm looking for PT advice. If you don't reply...I'm fine with that.
I was in a car accident 10 mos. ago. Among other things, I broke all the toes in my left foot. (Great Toe - fractured in more than ten places)...I just recently requested physical therapy for this issue to try and regain more 'range of movement' for this part of my body. (In the collision, my left foot 'braced' for the impact; subsequently, bending all my toes backwards/up).
The biggest challenge in my PT is bending my toes down. They have me do a procedure, where I try to 'grip' a towel on the the floor w/my toes. This is difficult.
Part of my therapy involves having an elastic band looped around my foot...I try to move my foot in the opposite direction...with the band creating resistance.
I asked my therapist if I could take home a portion of this band. He gave me a piece (approx. 4" wide; 2 1/2 feet long; green in colour).
I had an idea....I wasn't going to duplicate the exercises I do with the band @ PT session...I tied a small knot in one end of the band (creating a small loop)...placed it over my 'great toe'..and pulled down...to the point of an extreme strecth...and anchored the remaining strap around my ankle (similar to an 'ace bandage').
The stretch/flex I experience is amazing. I'm able to endure quite a long time (i.e. - watching TV, reading, etc.).
My question (?):
Is there some kind of ointment/lotion I can 'pre-apply' to the area, before flexing the toe...that would 'seep in' and possibly 'lubricate' the tendons/muscles connected to my big toe...to enhance this endeavor?
Any info will help..Thank you for your time...Mark

[Martin]

This is from 'Martin'...I've had a 107 views...but no replies...yet. Is there something I could pre-apply to my toe before I stretch it? I bought a Foot Bath recently...hot water, jets, nubs to rub your feet against...etc., etc., etc. I tried using the stretch band on my toe while using the foot bath...seemed to help. Is there anything inherently negative in using the elastic band in the ways I've described? Any info will help...Thanx

[Martin]

This is from the author (Mark/Martin)...
I've now had 425 'hits'...no reply, except from myself...whaz up? Is it 'wrong' to stretch my toe in the manner that I do? My daughter (in the medical field) said she thought I should equally bend it in the opposite direction...to keep things 'balanced'...you know, I recently took up the hobby of drinking homemade Absinthe...I know it makes my tongue go numb...maybe I could pour that over my great toe..whadd-ya say?

I just located you @ random on the net. I'm looking for PT advice. If you don't reply...I'm fine with that.
  I was in a car accident 10 mos. ago. Among other things, I broke all the toes in my left foot. (Great Toe - fractured in more than ten places)...I just recently requested physical therapy for this issue to try and regain more 'range of movement' for this part of my body. (In the collision, my left foot 'braced' for the impact; subsequently, bending all my toes backwards/up).
  The biggest challenge in my PT is bending my toes down. They have me do a procedure, where I try to 'grip' a towel on the the floor w/my toes. This is difficult.
  Part of my therapy involves having an elastic band looped around my foot...I try to move my foot in the opposite direction...with the band creating resistance.
  I asked my therapist if I could take home a portion of this band. He gave me a piece (approx. 4" wide; 2 1/2 feet long; green in colour).
  I had an idea....I wasn't going to duplicate the exercises I do with the band @ PT session...I tied a small knot in one end of the band (creating a small loop)...placed it over my 'great toe'..and pulled down...to the point of an extreme strecth...and anchored the remaining strap around my ankle (similar to an 'ace bandage').
  The stretch/flex I experience is amazing. I'm able to endure quite a long time (i.e. - watching TV, reading, etc.).
  My question (?):
Is there some kind of ointment/lotion I can 'pre-apply' to the area, before  flexing the toe...that would 'seep in' and possibly 'lubricate' the tendons/muscles connected to my big toe...to enhance this endeavor?
  Any info will help..Thank you for your time...Mark

[lewynn]

Hey there,
There really isn't anything that will "soak" through the skin and lubricate things underneath. That would sort of defeat the whole purpose of having skin.

There are lots of ointments out there that give the sensation of heating/cooling that might feel good and allow you to get more stretch out of your toe. Biofreeze is one used a lot. There's also something called Myo-Med - myomed.com - that is supposed to be the best thing since chocolate milkshakes......mmmmm, chocolate!!

Anyway, as far stretching goes, you're fine to use the elastic if you are feeling a good stretch. Usually because of the elasticity you don't get a really good stretch. A towel or something similar would be better since there wouldn't be the give. But if you are getting the stretch you want have at it.

Stretching your toe the other way is also a good idea. Work the other toes of your foot as well and some ankle exercises and stretching would be good too.

Les