Toe Numbness?

[Brendan]

Never updated this thread.

Much, much better this year with different boots and insoles, but not perfect. May go see a podiatrist at some point because I have separate knee and ankle issues that I want to make sure aren't aggravated by my feet, and can hit the toe numbness too.

I personally think it's how my feet are built, and getting pressure in the right way on a nerve or something to that affect. If I wear my road bike shoes - 100% stiff sole, I will get some tingling in my big toe in the same way.

I do get blood tests yearly - I'm healthy in that regard.

Not a big issue for me this year...

 

[Shraggs]

Looks like lots of really good advice, with those that experience foot toe pain.

However, inflammation in vanes and arteries due to physical activity, minor micro complications of undiagnosed diabetes or circulatory Can manifest with those symptoms too.

At your age I doubt it, not to make a bigger deal if it - but I would get a referral from your primary care doctor to a foot specialist and have him/her confirm it is a mechanical or nerve issues post hiking.

 

[BrushyHillGuide]

I had a similar issue for a few years. In the end....I found out I have diabetes. I am thin, in shape for my age, eat right and work outdoors with lots of exercise. Shocked my doctor. Hope that’s not the case with you.


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[Larry Bartlett]

i haven't read all these replies yet, but I've been there for scores of years.

My disc herniations are L5-S1, which often translates to numb large toes and sometimes lateral (pinky toe region) up the side of my feet.

Usually resolves on its own in about 8 weeks following a heavy load period.

Try acupuncture if your insurance covers it. Changed my pain management routine nearly 17 years ago because it worked for me when pain killers didn't.

Hope you get it worked out.

lb

 

[cake]

I had this same issue after a 10 day hunt. It took months for the feeling to come back to my toes (nerves had to regenerate). During that time went to podiatrist (no help), then neurologist. Based on some electronic stimulation testing (forget the real name), the neurologist was able to identify a defined line where the nerve damage occurred (but could not figure out why). He had drawn all over my foot - it was basically an arc that ran from below the ball of my foot over to my second/third toe - if I was pricked on the toe side - I couldn't feel it - if I was pricked on the other (ankle side) it was normal sensation. Anyway - it wasn't until a week or so later (6-8 weeks after hunt) as i'm getting dressed and put on some of the wool socks that I used on my hunt (were good quality socks (so I thought) - I noticed the toe seam of the socks ran identically to the nerve damage line that was marked on my foot. The socks were snug - but I guess when combined with continual hiking pressure etc. they did some damage. I immediately took the socks out of my rotation and before I knew it, I had my feeling back in my toes! I would never have thought that "high end" "comfortable" socks could have been the culprit - but be mindful of where the seams lie on your feet (especially if they lie in a high contact area). This may or may not be your issue - but something to consider.

 

[akshayv]

Before using orthofeet house slippers, my husband’s feet hurt every day when I wore other house slippers for the day. I am impressed with the offer of slippers for my husband who is suddenly experiencing plantar faciitis---with hopes that this investment will be worth it and a big help to him I have been amazed at how I can wear these with no feet pain at the end of my day.

 

[Brendan]

Any mods seeing this, someone please drop the ban hammer on Akshay. Orthofeet shill.

 

[super]

It happens to me whenever I eat too much sugar. I don’t feel my toes and of area of my kegs so maybe that.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Had the same issue, got some insoles with a bit more cushion and the problem vanished.

 

[super]

I know people donloose their toes die to excess sugar, IMHO I think it’s kinda diabetic things.

 

[satchamo]

I'm pretty sure this is very normal. It happens to me and my hunting partner every year after elk hunting in Colorado. I think it's just from down hilling when your toes jam into the front of your boots.

 

[akshayv]

Suffering from plantar fasciitis for over a year made shopping for shoe a difficult task. I had read about Orthofeet and thought I would take a gamble. They are by far the BEST shoe for me. I had cleared my pain up over the winter months and was ready to get back into my walking routine. I bought plantar fasciitis shoes and absolutely LOVE them. Can walk three miles and have no pain afterwards. My walking shoes have turned into my working shoes. I will order another pair as soon as I have time to look and decide. Currently own the boot and now the walking so the third pair will be a charm!

 

[mikenelson9091]

I am so glad I found this old forum, I got back from a 2 week Alaska Caribou hunt and my toes were numb like people talk in this forum about for 3 weeks after I got back and I actually ended up going into the doctor because I was kind of like "wait a minute this has never happened before and I was a bit scared". Everything I found on the medical sites was that I either have permanent nerve damage somehow or may have diabetes now. I ended up going in and the two NP's who saw me had no idea what it might be so they ran some tests and gave me some steriods to potentially help with whatever it was. I thought it was even weirder when another week went by and my brother told me how he had the same thing with his big toes and we were on the trip together. Of course now I am really wondering what the heck is going on, did we get some triganosis or some bug when we were there!?!?! We were both a little weirded out until I turned to good old Rokslide and found this forum. Thank you everyone for the replies and I am glad to hear we both should bounce back fine lol

 

[wind gypsy]

Wanted to see if anyone had encountered this. I have been battling toe numbness after longer hunts - mainly in my big toes on both feet. After a 10-12 day hunt, it can take 2 months or so for the tingling to go completely away.

I'd initially chalked it up to toe bang and boots that were too small, but I've upsized my boots, and I've also occasionally gotten a little tingling while running on flat ground in my very roomy running shoes, so I'm not as convinced anymore that it's boots that are too small or banging into the front of the boot, and am wondering if it's something else with my arch and maybe the type of insoles or something like that?

If it matters - I'm fairly flat footed, with a mostly neutral gait, but tend to wear the outsides of my running shoes a little faster.

I think seeing a podiatrist and getting custom orthotics might be wise - but anyone out there ever experienced this before I start lining up doctor visits and shelling out $$$ for custom insoles and orthotics?

Didn't read the responses but I have this exact issue but only with one pair of boots, Hoffman 10" hunters. I have still used those boots because they are great in every other respect. I basically trade toe numbness for hotspots and lesser traction with my other boots. My big toes were numb for at least 3 months after my late season elk hunt last year and I've started thinking about trying different boots again..

For clarification, I am positive this is caused more by the high pressure on toes during ascents rather than toes jamming forward on descents.

 

[Brendan]

Didn't read the responses but I have this exact issue but only with one pair of boots, Hoffman 10" hunters. I have still used those boots because they are great in every other respect. I basically trade toe numbness for hotspots and lesser traction with my other boots. My big toes were numb for at least 3 months after my late season elk hunt last year and I've started thinking about trying different boots again..

For clarification, I am positive this is caused more by the high pressure on toes during ascents rather than toes jamming forward on descents.

Very old thread, this was from 2017 and prior for me.

It was a boot fit issue that went away with a combination of different boots and better insoles (SheepFeet). Best boots for my feet have been Crispi coupled with the insoles.

Only other thing I do a lot of which may help - I wear barefoot / minimalist zero drop shoes a lot of the year. Not for running, but every day use. It's cleared up some ankle and knee issues for me and I'm convinced it's strengthening my feet.

 

[IBen]

My 64 year-old big toe on the left foot stays numb for three months every year (6 years in a row) after my long Stone sheep backpack hunts. It has done this every year but typically is fine by Christmas. I had some medical tests done without learning anything of value. I do wear custom orthotics from two different sources. Basically the extra pressure of hiking extended distances with a pack in rough country does it to me. Anymore, it is just a normal part of my favorite hunt to have a numb big toe! When you pack out your DIY archery Stone ram it makes it all worthwhile! Good luck!

They call it Christmas toes For a reason

 

[FortuneTeller]

Both of my big toes are half numb as I speak from 10 days of hunting in CO a few weeks ago. This is the second time it's happened to me. The first was in the spring of 2019 packing out a bear (what I thought from toes jamming into the front of my low hikers) and my toes were numb for a year or more. I attributed the numbness to the low hikers at the time.. This current numbness episode was also from packing out a bear (I had salewa rapace boots on; they are very roomy in the toe box for me. this was my second hunt with them so they were already broke in. no problems on the first hunt). I'm glad I'm not the only one but the numbness seems to occur for me when packing out meat. Will update if I find any more info or if my toes fall off..

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[isItFallYet]

Wanted to see if anyone had encountered this. I have been battling toe numbness after longer hunts - mainly in my big toes on both feet. After a 10-12 day hunt, it can take 2 months or so for the tingling to go completely away.

I'd initially chalked it up to toe bang and boots that were too small, but I've upsized my boots, and I've also occasionally gotten a little tingling while running on flat ground in my very roomy running shoes, so I'm not as convinced anymore that it's boots that are too small or banging into the front of the boot, and am wondering if it's something else with my arch and maybe the type of insoles or something like that?

If it matters - I'm fairly flat footed, with a mostly neutral gait, but tend to wear the outsides of my running shoes a little faster.

I think seeing a podiatrist and getting custom orthotics might be wise - but anyone out there ever experienced this before I start lining up doctor visits and shelling out $$$ for custom insoles and orthotics?

I had this after Marine bootcamp. It lasted a couple of years.

 

[Skerhunter]

I am patiently waiting for Christmas, so I can feel my left big toe again!

 

[Kelleyss]

Wanted to see if anyone had encountered this. I have been battling toe numbness after longer hunts - mainly in my big toes on both feet. After a 10-12 day hunt, it can take 2 months or so for the tingling to go completely away.

I'd initially chalked it up to toe bang and boots that were too small, but I've upsized my boots, and I've also occasionally gotten a little tingling while running on flat ground in my very roomy running shoes, so I'm not as convinced anymore that it's boots that are too small or banging into the front of the boot, and am wondering if it's something else with my arch and maybe the type of insoles or something like that?

If it matters - I'm fairly flat footed, with a mostly neutral gait, but tend to wear the outsides of my running shoes a little faster.

I think seeing a podiatrist and getting custom orthotics might be wise - but anyone out there ever experienced this before I start lining up doctor visits and shelling out $$$ for custom insoles and orthotics?

Use that insurance and get some orthodics. Or make sure your laces aren't cranked down on the top of your foot. I've encountered like problems with boots that have the laces cranked on the top of my foot. What kind of boots are you running?