Question
Hello!  I injured my left second toe.  During a leap in ballet class I landed on my toe and it curled beneath me. That was a week ago.  Since then it has been swollen.  I have taken a couple ballet classes since... but after the class last night my toe started to "sting" I've never felt that sensation with it since the injury.  Should I be concerned?  It is the joints of my toe that seem to be sore...  I'm not sure what to do and am worried it will take forever to heal... I have to keep dancing because I have performances to be in!!!!  I hope you can help, thanks so much!  

Answer
Hello Adria

Sounds like you brused the joints between the bones in your toe. Sorry to say, if you keep putting pressure on this toe, it will not get better. The damage has to be given a rest to heal.

Since you have performances to attend, can you go to a podiatrist? They could give you a cortozone shot for the pain and immobolize the toe with a small cast so you can still dance and minimize the pain and swelling.

Also, injuries are to be expected in any performing art, such as ballet. I trust the people you work with will have empathy toward you and allow you time to rest and heal by doing some changes in your schedule.

Perhaps not, as ballet is a competitive program. Either way, my thoughts are with you in hopes that you get better soon.

I hope this helps.

Be strong, be brilliant.