Jiu Jitsu Injury Prevention | Taping Your Toes

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About a week ago the toenail of my 4th toe – the one next to my pinky toe – was consideraly derailed during a sparring session. About a third of the toenail was missing but it didn’t really bother me at the time. When I stopped moving around I soon noticed something didn’t feel right.

I wasn’t used to the feeling of having this toenail torn; and at the time, it wasn’t obvious to me why my toe felt so odd. The toe felt sore rubbing against its “neighbor” toes and was a bit swollen. I was investigating the toe and someone asked me what I was doing; I explained, and he suggested my toe could possibly be broken. Another student suggested it was “mat toe.” It was later clear that it was only a missing toenail (thankfully).

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Shortly after I didn’t think much of it.

The following week – a couple classes ago – another student was sparring. He stopped after a few moments and began favoring his toe. “What’s the problem?” someone asked; “I broke my toe” he responded.

His fourth toe – the same toe I had some issues with the week before – was jetting out at strange, akward angle. It was clear the toe had seen better days.

Taped Toes

I have always noticed some students taping their toes before class. Some do regularly, some never do. At first the vulnerability of toe injury wasn’t very obvious to me, but I’ve now spent enough time on the mat to know better.

I wonder if it’s about time I start taping my toes to prevent this type of injury – or at least seriously consider it.