I am posting this in regards rehabilitation/prevention for over-pronation, shin-splints etc.
As the big toe takes/applies approximatley 60% of the force when the in contact with the ground (on push off etc, with other toes taking a combined 40%), I am speculating that a weak toe could result in producing pronation/shin soreness etc. (amongst a series of over things)
so, I am experimenting with ‘toe presses’ at the moment. I have noticed that my foot when up on the toes’, tends to roll inwards and causes added inflammation in the shin area.
Just a therory of mine…will have some results in a couple of weeks.
Tomo1, your big toe has no direct influence on overpronation. Hallux valgus, where the great toe bends toward the second toe with bunion formation could be a result of chronic overpronation. Pain and inflamation, as you put it, whilel performing heel raises on a leg press is due to aggravation of the muscles and connective tissue that flexes the ankle and toes. Since these tissues are already inflammed, additional stress will only create more pain.
Lower leg pain could be related to training volume or training errors more so than mechanical reasons.
When you are on your toes, your feet should be rolling outwards (supinating), activating the tibialis posterior muscle group. Unless you have a nonfunctioning TP muscle! The shin splints may originate from the TP muscle or you could have shin pain from activating the anterior muscle group.
yes…you got a point… but could toe being weak cause a mechanical problem? personally, ive been around the world with physio, massage, orthotics etc…but the problem seems to stay.
In regards to volume of work/exercise, without exercise +correct rest and recovery, the problem still returns when exercise is ressumed. Also, i have eliminated exercises that cause problems, adapted exercises to suit, but quitting certain exercises is not an option as they are a must in order to carry technical work etc.
If I have to push off the floor, strong toes cant be to bad now can it? Will know in a few weeks.
Flexor digitorum longus and brevis flexes the great toe. Extensor digitorum longus and brevis extend the toe. Tibial and peroneal nerve innervate these muscles branching off the sciatic nerve which exits the spinal cord somewhere around the L4, L5, S1 area. If there was a weakness, you should see weakness in other areas as these nerves innervate other muscle groups as well. Perhaps you have a flat foot with hallux valgus which may give you a lengthened flexor digitorum longus and brevis making it “weak”.
Other things to consider:
Trauma to the metatarsal phalangeal joint of the great toe with associated scaring, arthritis, or calcification, adhesions or scaring around the ankle, rigid flat foot.
All that being written, it is possible that weakness, excess length, or adhesions in the FDL and FDB could be the source of your lower leg pain.
I’ve got sort of the same thing goin’ on with my right toe. It is extremely flexible when compared to my left one, and it feels like when I run I don’t use it at ALL. I’m just sort of pushing off the ball of my foot, and my heel comes down too. I think it’s lead to a sort of hip imbalance, and subsequent hammstring and calf problems. I did break the toe neighboring my big toe about 4 years ago, I’ve got the live-long-and prosper thing goin’ on between my big toe and second toe. EDIT: Nope, I don’t that was my other foot, it just looks like I’ve got extra seperation between my big toe and my second toe because my RIGHT foot (the one that’s all muffed up) has a big toe that is pointing toward the right by quite a bit.