Ouch my big toenail!

[Trek420]

Maybe your toenail has thickened over the past year and may be rubbing more than before. You could try making a doughnut out of some thick moleskin (may need a couple of layers) and placing the cutout over the nail to prevent rubbing. Could be worth a try. I lost a toenail once to a backpacking trip...that hurts! Hope you get it worked out.

Disclosure: absolutely no medical training background or knowledge, zero, zilch, nada .... see a podiatrist or sportsmed I guess.

I lost a toenail in a martial arts training. Dayuhm that hurt.

It grew back just much much thicker. The injury also caused thickening at the big toe "knuckle" don't know what that part's called.

For cycling I've always worn ATB shoes. Room at the toe was not an issue.

Smartfeet "berry" insoled work well for me. I also tried to keep the nail clipped but it still was thicker and hard to keep short.

Then I got Sidi MTB shoes, roomier than their road shoes they are narrower at the toe than my trusty ol' Shimanos.

Now whadoIdo?

First both Spazzdog and Knotted advised that I not "clip" the toe unless I have an industrial power sander (just kidding TE REALLY) instead use a nail file to gently gently file it down a little each day.

That helps.

Next your Dr., PT, sports med can show you how to gently stretch the joint.

IMHO I don't think you want the toes clenched....or pointy....toes should be more or less relaxed. Again, no expertise other than the 2nd degree black belt but just movement theory.

Just like riding with your hands clenched or upper body tight wastes motion I think your whole body should be as relaxed as you can be.

If feet are tense your muscles may be "protecting an injury".

You don't want to mess with something that effects your natural gait, movement. While you can get by now in time you start walking or running different which causes muscles to over compensate which causes overuse which....