Re: Unexplained foot pain.
Hello, it could just be coincidential having trapped up the distance resently and having pain at the 5th metatarsal on loading. There are quite some possibilities which you have to consider. I'll name some; trainers changed resently or used for to long. stress fracture of 5th metatarsal which gives a slight swelling (diagnose by X-rays). Nerve impinchment called Morton's neuroma. Major issue could well be foot biomechanics; if the arches of your feet have dropped this will cause extra stress on e.g. the 5th metatarsal, could cause a nerve impinchment. to get some impression if drop of arches is part of the problem, you sit down barefoot take a good look at your feet, stand up and if the foot has changed a lot in form, widened especially the forefoot this could well be the cause of your problem. But e.g. in case of a stress fracture, the result of poor biomechanics, you need to offload. To be honoust I suspect that seeing either a Podiatrist, your Gp or a physiotherapist would be the best idea in case of persisting pain. E.g. stress fractures seem to give pain at night, unfortunately nerve pain could do as well.
Re: Unexplained foot pain.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Jenkins
Hello, my name is Jenkins. I am 22 years old and i am very active. I've been weight training for about 4 years, 3-5 times a week. I used to run around 3 miles 4 - 5 days a week for the past 5 months but i recently increased my distance to 4 to 5 miles 4 - 5 days a week in the middle of June.
Two days ago, i went out for a 5 mile run at 8:30am in the morning and i rested at home for the remainder of the day. At 6pm, i got up from my chair i suddenly felt pain on my left foot on the top left side (fifth metatarsal i think). It only hurts when i walk or run and i am currently limping. It does not hurt when i bike. It isn't swollen and it doesn't hurt when i touch it. This has never happened to me before and i have never twisted or harmed my foot in any way during the runs or anything outside of my runs.
Some advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
You can try the following things Jenkins:
- Rest. No running, walking, treadmill or stairmaster. Cross-train by biking, swimming, yoga (no downward dog) or weightlifting (avoiding squats and calf exercises).
- Ice. Take a sports water bottle, put it in the freezer and roll your arch over it for 20 minutes every evening.
- Stretch. Stretch your calf multiple times throughout the day. Use a belt or a towel to stretch your calf in the morning, BEFORE you get out of bed for 30 seconds to a minute. Perform the runner's stretch (with both hands against a wall for support, extend one leg behind you, keeping that heel on the ground, and lean forward slightly to stretch your hamstrings/calves) as many times as you can throughout the day for 30 to 60 seconds (I tell my patients 10 times a day).
- Wear Shoes. Make sure you are in shoes all the time. No going barefoot. Wear shoes that are rigid and bend only where the foot bends, at the toes. Test your shoes by turning them upside down, grabbing the toe and the heel and bending them. If they fold in the middle -- throw them away. They may have caused your pain.
Re: Unexplained foot pain.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Jenkins
Hello, my name is Jenkins. I am 22 years old and i am very active. I've been weight training for about 4 years, 3-5 times a week. I used to run around 3 miles 4 - 5 days a week for the past 5 months but i recently increased my distance to 4 to 5 miles 4 - 5 days a week in the middle of June.
Two days ago, i went out for a 5 mile run at 8:30am in the morning and i rested at home for the remainder of the day. At 6pm, i got up from my chair i suddenly felt pain on my left foot on the top left side (fifth metatarsal i think). It only hurts when i walk or run and i am currently limping. It does not hurt when i bike. It isn't swollen and it doesn't hurt when i touch it. This has never happened to me before and i have never twisted or harmed my foot in any way during the runs or anything outside of my runs.
Some advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
This could be a number of things. I wrote a blog recently about how to overcome ankle injuries, which you may find helpful. There are some tips and things to consider, which you may not have put your pain 'or' injury down to. I have hyperlinked the blog post, so please read as may help point you in the right direction and also be helpful to avoid any further injury in your feet, ankle or legs.
Re: Unexplained foot pain.
Treatment for Foot pain may include:
- rest
- ice pack applications
- anti-inflammatory medications
- stretching exercises
Re: Unexplained foot pain.
Surprisingly 50% of responses are given by none health professionals, which is alarming. I suppose my 4 years of study is a waist of time and money. The answers are correct but can be read with every browsing of the web. I am curious if Jenkins has actually done anything with the information given?
Re: Unexplained foot pain.
Hi Jenkins
How is your foot? Have you tried any of the treatments suggested by todd? If so have they worked?
I can only suggest that because you have increased the duration/intensity of your running you may have sustained a stress fracture. you need to look at the biomechanics of how you run and your footwear to determine the force distribution whist running/walking.
Re: Unexplained foot pain.
You may want to test your peroneal muscles by Resisting eversion of t the symptomatic foot. If there is pain, the peroneals are implicated. Resolution if this would include gait analysis or you may want to try activating the peroneal's antagonist- the posterior tibialis- I wrote a post for the posterior tibialis and associated exercises for your interest.
Re: Unexplained foot pain.
You can ask anything with her if you want to : Anna Jane - Foot and Ankle Physiotherapy has more than 18 years of experiance as a physiotherapist. She has served as team physio to the Australian Freestyle Ski Team.
