Off the IC - very carefully !

[JonathanP]

I posted last week about a small lump just above the ball of one of my feet, which led over a period of weeks to my whole foot swelling up. I've now had the blood test and x-ray requested by the GP, taken ibuprofen to reduce any inflammation and curtailed both my running and lengthy walks to give the foot a rest - although I did unearth my bike from the shed, in order to maintain some fitness.

The blood test was fine, but the outcome from the x-ray was osteoarthritis in the metatarsophalangeal joint in my second toe, with a 'beaking osteophyte formation' (lump) arising from the metatarsal head. The advice was that I could continue to run (hooray!), subject to any pain, and that the only treatment was painkillers.

So after a trial walk yesterday, which seemed to go ok, I set off today for a gentle run. 4k later I wasn't feeling any ill effects, but over the next couple of hours I did get some swelling, although not as bad as the initial occurrence, thank goodness!

The verdict I think is for the time being to continue gentle runs of no more than 5k, alongside the ibuprofen, and to monitor the situation, with the hope that the swelling will subside on a more ongoing basis. I'm just very thankful that it's nothing more serious!😀

Happy running one and all!👍

[Jennypenny2 Graduate10]

Just take it slow and steady ,best to run a bit then not at all,look after your self, happy running.

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Jennypenny2]

Thanks Jenny - wise words indeed!

[Katnap Graduate10]

Yay! Wishing you a continued improvement!

🐱 Katnap 🐱

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Katnap]

Thanks Katnap - I have my fingers well crossed!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

That’s good news Jonathan, at least you know what you’re dealing with and it’s down to you to manage your comfort levels. 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️

Take it easy though, but you don’t need me to tell you that. 😀

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks Cheeky - I will try to restrain myself!

[ForbiddenPlanet Graduate10]

So glad to hear things are a little better, and fingers crossed for your continued recovery JP. 🤞

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to ForbiddenPlanet]

Thanks FP - it's a relief I was only on the IC for a relatively short period.👍

[Granspeed Graduate10]

Hmmm. Glad it’s not worse, of course, but still sounds annoying. Could you rub the sore bit with something like Voltarol? I’ve only used it for very short term things but it was really effective for both pain & swelling. You could ask your GP, perhaps. Best of luck with it.

[Irishprincess Graduate10 in reply to Granspeed]

Yes I’ve recently discovered Voltarol, it’s very good. Even my physio said it was good and she rarely praises anything like that!

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Definitely worth a try then!

[JonathanP Graduate10]

Thanks for the suggestion GS - I've been using ibuprofen gel but I'll look into that.

[Granspeed Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

Probably much the same. Delivers relief to the exact spot!

[karen50plus]

Hi JP. I broke my ankle 4 years ago and I know that s completely different to your injury , but when I had the plaster off I needed to learn to walk again . I didn’t want to keep taking painkillers so I used a spray called Deep Freeze ( the complete opposite of deep heat) . I know it s expensive to try everyone’s “ suggestions “ , but if you know someone who has some , you could give it a try . It helped me . And when I started c25k I used it as my ankle ached for a few weeks in the beginning. I also developed a lump on the ball of my right foot. It’s like a marble. I reckon I must land heavier on my right than left when running 🙄🤷‍♀️. Anyway , hope you re feeling better soon and you find what s right for you to help your foot 👍

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to karen50plus]

Thanks Karen - sounds worth investigating.👍

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

Oh that’s good news Jonathan. At least you can run, short bursts sound sensible for the time being. Happy running to you 🏃🙂

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks IP

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

Pleased to read this JP. This outcome comes with the magic words “you can continue running”, Let’s hope the lump gets bored and just dwindles away. I know what that “will this stop me running?” feeling is like. Horrible! 👍

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thanks BC . Good idea - I'll try and make my running as boring as possible!😋

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

😊👍

[Oldgirlruns Graduate10]

You’ve been through the mill a bit lately haven’t you JP but I’m really pleased the blood test was clear and that you’ve been given the “it’s Ok to run” signal!

Great news for those VRB meet-ups we’ll be having one day!

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Oldgirlruns]

Thanks OGR - yes, I can't wait!

[Sandie1961 Graduate10]

Glad to hear you know what you are dealing with and that you have a strategy for dealing with it. Enjoy your next run 🏃‍♂️

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

Thanks Sandie - I will see how my 'virtual parkrun ' goes tomorrow!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Good to hear you have been allowed to continue running Jonathan. That must feel good. Enjoy your runs, even the short ones will give you that satisfied buzz I imagine...

Stay fit and well.🌷xxx

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks BR - pleased that your foot continues to improve👍

[Coddfish Graduate10]

Good luck Jonathan.

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Coddfish]

Thanks Coddfish

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

I’m so glad your blood test was clear Jonathan . Have you changed your shoes Or your routine recently? I wonder why the condition has only recently created the swelling? Take some snails it with you on your virtual parkrun, and see you after. 😘

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy. Yes, I've asked myself the same question because I must have had the arthritis for some time and I've only noticed the discomfort over the last few weeks, which then came to a head. No new shoes - my Sauconys do need replacing, but that's a bit of a challenge at present as that model's no longer available. No significant change in routine either, so it's a bit of a mystery! 😔

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

Luckily Alexander Sports are doing online sales. £££££ 🤣

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Yes I thought I might email them and ask for their advice on a suitable replacement. How is your recovery going?

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

I’m religiously doing my physio exercises each day Jonathan , and I am so glad that I can cycle to get about. Another 2 weeks of these tougher exercises, and I will virtually see my physio again. He is then hoping to get me on walk/run. Eek -I haven’t run since 22 February 😬

Next week I’ll try to extend my walking to 5k. Standing on the left leg is still a challenge but I think thats down to my dodgy ankle as well as my knee. I think I will do 2 sessions of that a day from now on.

Luckily I’ve been able to get out in the garden too, but I’ve ended up with a garage full of garden waste where they will only take one brown bin every 2 weeks.

Hope it won’t be too long before we all get together again. Southampton and QECP are still on the back burner.

[JonathanP Graduate10]

Glad it's going well - I'm sure you'll be fine once you get back 'in the saddle'. At least the parkrun hiatus means that you will be able to run when we finally have our VRB meet-ups!

Yes I think many gardens have never looked so tidy.🥀

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10]

Sounds like you are learning about medical conditions by having a few. Very pleased that it is not more serious. Take care.

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thanks over61 - I am becoming a bit of an expert!

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

Perhaps an idea to choose a different area for the development of your expertise!

[Run46 Graduate10]

Brilliant that you can run again 👏....boo that it's an on going condition you've got!

Let's hope as you get to know what you can and can't get away with you'll get on top of it and be able to enjoy your runs with no discomfort afterwards 😀👍

[JonathanP Graduate10]

Thanks Run46 - I am already experimenting with that !😀