Woman feared she had broken her toe during yoga and couldn't wear regular shoes — doctor judged her sandals instead of addressing her pain
Any patient who is hesitant about seeing a medical professional should receive reassurance and support from the practitioner. Unfortunately, one woman had a bitter experience after an injury during yoga left her with immense pain in her toe. Sharing the experience on Reddit under the username u/CreamyCarrotCake, on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, she explained that she had visited a doctor to deal with the problem, but their words left her in dismay. Before they could even examine the toe, they made an assumption that left her speechless.
I ruined my life doing yoga (always speak up for yourself)
by u/CreamyCarrotCake in GirlDinnerDiaries
The woman mentioned that she was in serious pain after hearing a pop from her toe during yoga. She was forced to wear open-toed shoes everywhere, even though she was uncomfortable in them. Finally, despite dreading it, she decided to see a doctor. She couldn’t wear closed footwear and had to wear the only open-toed thick platform sandals she had. When she entered the doctor’s room, they simply glanced at her feet, saw her sandals, and said, “If you’re wearing those shoes, I’m sure it doesn’t hurt that bad.” Her anxiety quickly turned into embarrassment. But luckily, the nurse came to her aid. She offered a suggestion, stating that many of her symptoms matched those of “Turf toe” and that she should look it up.
When the woman researched turf toe, she realized the nurse was likely right. She did what was necessary over the next few months to help the injury heal. Although the pain subsided, she continued to face long-term issues. She noted that she was now unable to walk for more than 10 minutes without experiencing shooting pain again, forcing her to cut trips short. It had seriously affected her daily life. Looking back, she wished she’d stood up for herself, but the medical professional's words hit her hard. She didn’t even want another medical consultation after that.
According to Cleveland Clinic, turf toe is a condition in which the ligaments, tendons, and soft tissues around the big toe joint are stretched or torn. It is common among football players and people who sprint frequently. Rest and medication can help treat the condition, although surgery may sometimes be necessary. Unfortunately, the woman was reluctant to consider further treatment options after her upsetting experience.
She urged people to advocate for themselves, especially when their health is involved. In the comments, she also mentioned that she was considering seeking medical advice once again. Reddit users reminded her that not all professionals were the same, and that she deserved to be pain-free. u/look2thecookie wrote, “I'm sorry this happened. Your life is not ruined. See a new doctor, get a proper scan and treatment.” u/Outrageous-Autumn910 added, “You still have the chance to take your own advice and advocate for yourself.” u/Regular-Government94 said, “You will be okay one way or another. There are likely medical options to help you.”
You can follow u/CreamyCarrotCake on Reddit for more content on lifestyle.