Really really sore toes after first dives?

[Puchinita5]

Hey guys. I did my pool sessions for my open water cert course last week, and I noticed that the next day one of my toes (specifically, my left second toe ) was really really sore. It wasn't broken or anything, but hurt when I put pressure on it to walk.

Towards the end of the week, the pain went away. But then I had my open water dives yesterday and the day before, and now my right pinky toe feels the same as my other toe did-- really really sore. It almost feels like I stubbed it really bad in a door. It's not swollen. But definitely hurts to put pressure on it.

I'm just curious if this is a common problem? And why it happens? Or if it's just me.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Having sore toes after a dive is not normal. The most likely explanation is that something isn't fitting right.

Are you wearing wetsuit booties with open-heeled fins?
If so, how well do your wetsuit booties fit your feet?
How well do your wetsuit booties fit into the foot-pockets of your fins?

If you were wearing closed-heel fins, maybe your feet don't fit very well into the fin foot-pockets.

Often times, foot friction issues can be solved by wearing thin Lycra socks. They're relatively inexpensive, you know.

 

[Banyan]

It definitely sounds like a sizing issue. Assuming you're wearing booties with open-heeled fins, while your toes shouldn't be touching the end of your booties, they also shouldn't be able to bounce around inside your booties freely. Get a second or third opinion from either experienced people at your dive shop or your instructor as to the fit of your booties. Similarly, make sure that your boots don't have to be smushed into the fin pocket, or alternatively that the boot can't easily move around in the pocket. I would also make sure that the issue isn't you tightening the strap either too much (crushing the tips of the toes against the front of the bootie) or not enough.

It's also not impossible that, because you're a new diver, you're doing things like repeatedly kicking the bottom at weird angles, in which case your pain issues may reduce once you get more comfortable and horizontal in the water. But I still think it's a footwear issue.

 

[knowone]

It's a healthy sign when your second toe is longer than your big one

 

[koozemani]

My gf had the same issue with her little toes the day after dive trips. I got her a pair of hard soled boots that seem to be working.

 

[Peter_C]

Could it just be the stress of being underwater as a new diver is causing you to curl your toes? The cure may simply be to relax.

 

[deadbilly]

If you look up my first ever post (I believe) on this board, it concerns this same thing. I got a pair of lycra socks and the problem went away.

 

[Puchinita5]

Thanks guys! I thought my booties and fins fitted perfectly, but then again I don't really know much about proper fitting and I rented all my gear through my school and so it wasn't the actual divers who fitted me but students who were working at the gym where our stuff was held for us. I'll definitely make sure next time I go diving to get an actual diving professional to look at the fit before I rent/purchase. I have quite narrow feet, so it is possible they were a little too wide for me.

I honestly have no idea if I was nervous and curling my toes in my fins. But now that you say that, it could be possible! I'll try to pay more attention to that next time as well. I really don't think I paid attention to my feet at all while I was diving.

 

[marymac]

My last week trip halfway thru my lil toes were very sore also! I'm glad it's just not me. I thought maybe it was because I wasn't used to wearing sandals walking the beach and town.. I will try the lycra socks.

 

[al248005]

Ya I have the same problem but my boots are a little small now. That will do it for sure! Just dont wanna pay the extra 40 or 50 bucks for a new pair when I can get by with what I got.