Toe Cramps, or 'why are you bending that way, you're a toe'

SpongeCake

People of H&A, my toes are being shitty little bitches, please send help.

This has been happening for the last couple of months: once a week or so, a few of my toes (generally the second largest, if it matters) will just start freaking the fuck out after the slightest stretch or movement. The tendons suddenly tighten and contract, and my toes start bending in ungodly and unnatural directions. The only thing I can do is to physically hold them in the correct "human" position until they behave. This is hardly ideal.

Does anyone know what causes toes to freak out like this, and if there's anything at all I can do to stop it?

It's a little frustrating.

Metalbourne

Mine do it from being cold.

Maybe you need more bananas in your diet. Or more water. I don't know.

travathian

Ever had a lower back injury?

Could be a weird nerve thing as a result of an injury. I sometimes get the same thing happening only it is in my calf. I know it isn't potassium related, and the only thing I can pinpoint it to is when I jacked my back many years ago.

Jasconius

does the pain echo up into your whole foot?

Because I get something like that (and it causes toe alignment... issues), and they say that comes from a lack of potassium.

Work some nuts or bananas into your diet and see if it goes away.

It's been a long time since I'd had one when I discovered this tidbit.

Joe Chemo

It could be lack of potassium. Have you started exercising more, or changed your diet?

Acebgd12

I'm guessing they are cramps that just seem so exaggerated because they are occuring on such small parts of your body. Does it often happen after you exercise? After you wake up? I know that I, for some reason, curl my toes a lot while I sleep, and when I wake up they cramp and tighten.

SpongeCake

Generally during/after exercise actually, yeah. And yes, I have upped the exercise regime recently... Sounds like we have a winner! Time to up the fruit intake then.

Good work H&A, you have triumphed again. Cheers guys.

Shawnasee

Drink more water.

Pixel Blue

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bowen

Shawnasee wrote: »

Drink more water.

This will worsen it. Stay hydrated of course, but take in more magnesium and potassium. Drinking more water will make you more "dehydrated" in the sense that it's probably an electrolyte imbalance rather than having enough fluid in your body.