A lot of people have recommended that I check out the local New Balance store to find out the right running shoe for my feet. I have experienced a problem with ingrown toe nails over the last year and am very worried about proceeding with any intense workouts. Whenever I rest my feet my toe seems to do just fine. I feel like my current running shoes are too tight and the pressure of my weight while running forces my toe to have issues.

Would you recommend that I get a slightly larger shoe than my normal size just to allow extra room for my toes? Would the New Balance people have experience with this type of problem? I really want to start a regular running program but this whole toe issue has really killed my confidence. The doctors that I have visited recently seem like they are of absolutely zero help and just tell me to rest my feet often. Well that is just not a good enough answer for me. I am going to have to deal with this stupid toe the rest of my life?

Maybe I should just chop the toe off now and get it over with, lol.

I'd say go to a NB store and talk with the folks there. They are very good at what the do and very helpful (at least in the 10 years i've been wearing them).

You'll spend a fair price on a good shoe. Most of mine last me 2-3 years depending on the the traffic I put on them. I even use them on my two boys since they last vs the cheap 10-15$ shoes you can buy else where.

As far as ingrone tone nails, i'd get them taken out from the doctor if you can. I had a few issues with some, but after a few removals and learning how to cut my toes I've managed to stay clear of them for a lot of years.

I'd recommend finding a running store to look for now shoes, not just new balance. There are lots of good shoes out there, and it's hard to predict which brand will fit you best. But if you go straight to a New Balance store, then their only goal is to convince you that their brand is best, versus finding the best shoe for you.

Most running stores hire knowledgeable people to look at how you walk/run and determine which shoe is right for you. But any shoe store where you get properly fitted (instead of picking based on brand and/or color and/or style) will cost more.

If you want to use a shoe for running, you should designate it only for that sport, and then keep track of the miles/km you put on it. Most running shoes should be replaced about every 500 miles or 800 km. Over time the cushioning in the shoe gets compressed and doesn't bounce back as much as before. But, of course, this changes based on many factors, and one of the best signs is once you start feeling pain in a shoe that use to be painless.

They often recommend going up a half to a full size on running shoes, especially if you're going to do any endurance. This is because your foot swells as you run, and you don't want your toes hitting the front of the shoe. On the other hand, you don't want to go up too much in size, as that will cause blisters.

Also neesha said it, there are some great running stores (with good running groups) that will video tape you running from behind so you can see how you run.

Its amazing to see how some run on their inside, outside, or even down the middle of their foot. Shoes can be found to help with those types of running.

I definitely run on the insides of my feet. That is why I am having these toe issues in the first place. I will have to check a store out to see what they come up with...

I've had two ingrown toenails removed and we the doc did it, he also put some acid on the nail bed so that part of the toenail will never grow back. Is this not standard procedure?

The doctor had mentioned a more permament solution, that was probably what he was referring to.

Getting them removed was such a gruesome procedure, lol. I was not a fan of having that done.

My doctor acted like it was standard procedure. He said if you get an ingrown toenail once, you will get them again and again. He said he always did the acid thing. From what I understand of it, healing from removal + acid is not much worse than healing from just the removal. You just have to do some extra stuff like soak your foot in vinegar water to neutralize the acid.

I wish mine would have just done that right away. Because now I am definitely prone to them.

Yeah, I definitely understand, they can be very painful. And getting over the procedure definitely takes some time. I would HATE to have to go through that ever again. Sorry you are having to deal with this.

It is actually at the point where I think twice before working out because I wonder "is running 3 miles today worth a swollen toe". It sucks but its true.

Oh man, yeah. I definitely could not have ran with my ingrown toenails. I don't see how you are doing it at all. One actually got so bad that it was infected. It happened while I was in Mexico on a mission trip so one of the nursing majors had to actually cut out the infected area. It was an unpleasant experience.

I had to do that once myself with a knife, lol. The doctor could only see me a week later so I had to do it by myself. I sterilized the knife then went at it. Had a few drinks first though.

Holy crap! He knew it was that bad and wouldn't get you in for a week???? That's ridiculous!!

I've sorta recovered from an ingrown toe nail. I had it ripped off by accident when it got caught under a couch while being moved. It came right off. But when it grew back I thought it was going to be ok, but now it hurts right on the top left tip of the toe. I don't want to get it removed again, and I dont really want the side to be taken off fully.. so it never grows back. I just wish the toe nail would grow over the skin insted of growing into it. It's as if the skin has moved inwards a little and is preventing the nail from growing over. It's just so lame because you can look at it and it doesnt look ingrown It's right at the damn tip.

The problem is too often the acid doesn't really prevent the nail from growing back. Most fo the people (including myself) who have had it, still have their nail grow back.

I've had 2 removed and decent success, but the key was getting the doctor/nurse to show you how to cut your nails to help prevent them from coming back.

Also i'm not a 'man' like my dad. He hates needles with a passion. Had a toe nail removed with no pain killers. Foot never twitched... must say I didn't think he'd make it through (nor did the doctor) but he earned some 'stud' points in my eyes watching that in High School...

*grimace* Oh wow that makes me hurt a little just thinking about it.

When I had the ingrown toenails (2) taken care of, they numbed it, then just basically clipped off that side of the toenail, acid, vinegar, then wrapped it up. My ingrown toenails were not at the top of the toe, they were toward the middle and the nail bed. So clipping my toenails differently would not have changed anything. Mine was related to sports I think. Oh, and I've never had any problems with them again. The doctor implied that the acid would make that part of nail bed inactive. He said I would never have to deal with ingrown toenail on that side of that toe ever again.

Rob... If you have an active ingrown toenail right now... I would AT LEAST go try on every shoe you can... you probably need a wider show than the one you're wearing so that your toe doesn't get rubbed to death.

Also, since you Pronate (I think it's pronating when you roll to the inside of your foot... and badly you say?) I think you need a higher stability shoe... one that doesn't roll with you so easily...

I go to this place... they carry about 6 name brands... and they run cheaper than average. I think they are a clearance for last years model... http://www.sportsbasement.com I live near their store. But everyone is right above... go to a store where they can watch you run/walk and make suggestions... TAKE your time... clear a few hours for this... if you have to.

Pick a few shoes that seem to feel good... jog around the store. Write down the model numbers so you can search them online to find the best deals.

Then I tend to put my favorites on side by side. One left, One right. Then get your toe fixed AGAIN... let it heal then go buy those shoes if you haven't already.

I'm not quite sure what makes a person proan to these. I've worn toe shoes for ballet (you want to talk about toe abuse??) for years and I've only occasionally had a mild problem... but I knew girls that cut their nails down to nubs to keep their toes in order.

Generaly, you need to cut your nails straight across... with VERY LITTLE curve at the corners. You should also inspect your nail daily. I slip something under the nail to make sure it's not making a skin entrance. (Mine, when I get anything bothersome, tend to be right at the corner, and a bit on the edge.) Also, not severe like yours sound.

Good Luck