Synonyms: jogger's toe, runner's toe, tennis toe
Mechanism: Repeated injury to the toe nail or toe nail plate may result in bleeding beneath the nail. Continued activity after an initial bleed will make it worse.
Sports where encountered:
(1) soccer
(2) football
(3) running/jogging
(4) tennis
(5) squash
(6) racquetball
Risk factors:
(1) poorly fitting shoes that constrict the toes
(2) hard playing surface
(3) repeated toe impactions during quick foot motions
(4) continued activity after initial injury
(5) bleeding tendency, including aspirin therapy
Complications may include temporary loss of the toenail.
Prevention:
(1) Keep toenails trimmed.
(2) Wear shoes with sufficient space around the toes to reduce impactions.
Differential diagnosis:
(1) subungual melanoma
(2) phalangeal fracture
(3) toe impaction
