I've had issues with pain in my foot.. had to take a couple of weeks out to rest it.. then tried again but after a few 5Ks the pain returned ๐ฎ
So I got myself an appointment with a podiatrist and she thinks it could be forefoot varus? I've never heard of it before..slight tilt on my right foot which could be the cause.. she thinks it could be as simple as changing my trainers more often and changing to trail shoes, so I'll go get myself some new trainers and start again ๐ค
If anyone has had this I'd appreciate any information on your experience ๐ค๐ค
I'm missing running sooo much..
Started working out again this week so hopefully build up some strength to get started as soon as I've found the right pair.. lots of running shop exploring next week ๐
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sparky66
Half Marathon
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Sorry about the pain in your foot Caroline making you have to take a few weeks off running, unfortunately after a few 5Ks you had to stop running again, I am also sorry that over the last few months you seem to have had quite a few enjuries, I hope your podiatrist can cure that possible forefoot varus and get you back to running as soon as possible
Hi Sparky. How frustrating for you. I have never heard of the condition still less suffered from it. I hope that new shoes do the trick quickly for you.
My terrible foot pain and swelling turned out to be massive over pronation caused by a damaged tendon on the inside of foot. My physio picked this out from watching me do a couple of squats and we fixed it through an exercise regime. Orthotics wouldnโt work for me (high arches). Walking became really painful, so she suggested that I buy recovery shoes to provide relief whilst the exercises did their work. The pain relief was immediate!
I've only ever ran in road shoes mainly Brooks glycerin.. they've served me well buying the same over the past two years..but I run mainly on trails,so thinking I'm looking to changing to a trail shoe... There's so many different styles.. I didn't know about recovery shoes ๐คBeen researching online.. but going around a couple of running shops to try some out before deciding ๐คฏ
That's amazing your recovery shoes gave you instant relief ๐
If my feet feel painful after running I slip them on. My physio suggested them and other runners have mentioned them to me, including an ultra runner. I hope you manage to get whatever the underlying problem is fixed too. I hate being IC!
I am healed now thanks. In the end the answer to my problem was really simple. My physio asked me to do some squats and noticed my right leg was โcaving inโ towards the left. This led her to a tendon which runs under the ankle bone as the cause, and over a couple of weeks with massage and daily exercises she fixed it. That was after months of painful start stop running. I think that she is a genius ๐
Sorry to read this sparky. I thought I hadnโt seen you here for a while.
I have heard of this but donโt know where from or anything about it. I probably found a reference when I was searching about my various ankle/foot issues over the years! But itโs good that youโre seeing a podiatrist and hopefully she will keep you on the right running track.
Take care and keep us updated how youโre getting on x
Youโve had such a tough time sparky. I hope you get some relief from your foot issues and can return to a decent routine very soon. Sending you a hug x
I'd never heard of forefoot varus either sparky66 but do hope you find a solution.
Re shoes, I now have three pairs of Brooks, though not Glycerin. I wear my Cascadia 16 (and previously Cascadia 15) for proper trails, but they're really too stiff for longer runs on roads.
My Divide 2 are trail shoes, but softer and with less pronounced lugs. I find they work well for routes involving roads and tracks.
My Ghosts are now reserved strictly for proper road surfaces as I find they're not nearly grippy enough off-road. I was wearing them when I face-planted on an easy but stony trail near home. While my initial trip was due to lack of concentration, I'm convinced that if I'd been wearing trail rather than road shoes I wouldn't have gone flying.
All trail shoes are not the same - as well as the way they feel on, drop, support, protection and grip vary a lot. if you like Brooks road shoes you'll probably like their trail ones, but not necessarily.
Thank you very much for all the shoe information, really appreciate that Cmoi ๐The devide 2 I've looked at.. what's bothering me most is the limited running shops to visit to try them all ๐คฏ
But Im researching so hopefully I'll have a short list to look for x
Does the diagnosis make sense to you? Does it feel right?
You might recall my issue with "metatarsalargia" I saw 4 different folks, many had conflicting ideas. I tried orthotics which helped short term but caused more pain in the end. I ended up following my gut and doing the exact opposite to what the "experts" said. Key was stretching and strengthening all my toes and areas of my feet. Instead of using rigid shoes as I was advised I went for more mobility to help my whole foot work properly. I also ended up going lower and lower drop. I can't run in Brooks anymore, the heel is just too high. 4mm and below works with my body so much better.
I really hope you find an easy way through. At this point if it doesn't feel right I'd look for another opinion and probably from a reputable sports physio.
Good luck ๐ค๐ป๐ค๐ป๐ค๐ป I feel your frustration, running is my mental saviour. Please do check out Caroline Jordans hurt foot videos. Doing anything is always better than nothing and chair cardio is much harder than it sounds!! ๐
No !!! The diagnosis doesn't make sense to me ๐ค
It sounded plausible till I got home and researched it... Nowhere did it explain the pain in the pad of my foot I was experiencing ๐ฎ
She did say as we age the pads behind toes deteriorate..
To be honest I really think it might just be as simple as getting new shoes and the right shoes .....so I'll keep up the research and try on as many as I can ๐
And if the issue continues I'll seek a different opinion and yes with a sports physio ๐
Go with your gut, it's your body after all. The talk of pads makes me think it's more metatarsalargia, *ball of foot pain" (so helpful!) The 2nd person I saw gave the best advice and showed me how unmobile my big toe joint had become, putting extra pressure onto the the 2nd and 3rd. He was the only one who got hands on, he manipulated my joint, showed me how to exercise it, said yea maybe orthotics _could_ help but didn't see it as a long term solution. The podiatrist seemed pretty clueless if I'm honest. The really expensive sports guy, well he was OK but the 2nd guy was just a local, standard physio with lots of common sense.
Please consider a 2nd opinion. I'll keep my ๐ค๐ปfor you ๐
If it is metatarsalargia its a burning pain around the metatarsal heads, in my case 2nd and 3rd at the ball of the foot. My shoes had been very worn and I was feeling the terrain quite severely and I was doing a lot of mileage at the time. So yes, it was being strict with new shoes, and rotation and finding the best shoe for me ๐๐ป
Jo... Of all the research I've done online..here you are with all your wisdom...this is exactly how it feels for me!!! Sounds exactly what is happening..and yes my milage was high..and shoes overused ๐ฌCan I ask what shoes you chose so I can have a look? Makes sense a lower heel would take pressure off the toes ๐ค
Thank you so much for all your help ๐๐โโ๏ธ๐๐ฃ๐ค
Well it got so bad I couldn't run at all, I bought a treadmill and started back with just 1 mile runs on that in Saucony Fastwitch with an extra soft insole in. The treadmill meant it wasn't hard pavements so I could control the whole environment. Then it was still muddy so my mud shoes are super cushioned; saucony Koa ST, I then went to Hoka Torrents but I would change them at 300 miles. They've changed now sadly. These days I like Altra or Topo Athletic. The Altra Timp are bouncy but low drop. It might be a big change so I would recommend looking at something like the saucony Peregrines if they feel nice. The main thing though is to get all your toe joints mobile, exercise them. Press a fingertip against each toe tip, see if there's any weakness in the toes and work on that. Stretch and bend your big toes, a lot! Practice making them reach out to each other from a distance. Lots of tiptoe work, get the whole structure working well. Tiny runs should still be OK if the pain hasn't got too bad. Better to have a daily 1 mile run than a weekly 5 or more.
I started wearing 5 finger vibrams as slippers in the house too. I have some trail ones but haven't got to that point yet. I just bought Altra Mont Blanc in the sale circa 75 quid, they're nice and bouncy once you get the lacing right. Try loads on, maybe grab a couple of sales pairs and rotate.
What kind of shoes do you wear when not running? I use my brooks now for shopping etc and rarely wear "street" shoes. My feet just don't like it!! I had to change my work boots to super light ones. I buy them cheap and change them every 3 months or so.
Whilst you have any pain do not wear anything like flip flops, that causes your toes to grab and will only inflame them more.
A good test is to sit with both feet on the floor. Raise your big toes, if the one on the sore foot won't raise or doesn't raise as much it could be down to lack of mobility.
Feel free to find me on FB or DM me if you want to chat more about symptoms etc.
Iโm injured at the moment and have been noticing my left foot turning inwards and my leg being generally uncomfortable Iโve got a sore patch on my foot too, where it seems I land heavily
Iโve got two new shoes not worn for running yet but Iโm hoping new daps will help matters. One of them is a zero drop Altra
What a rotten time you are having Sparky. I do hope you turn a corner very soon.
It sounds like it may be worth getting a second opinion if you are unsure. As Jo suggests, perhaps look for a sports physio who has a running interest.
Don't give up, keep at it and hopefully you will be running pain free again and looking back on this as a minor blip ๐
So good to hear from you Sparky, there are some brilliant responses on here! You are one determined lady who is so supportive and I really hope you find the right shoes which help to solve your foot issues. I was in Sports Direct yesterday and slipped my foot into a Nike Pegasus trail shoe that was on display, just out of interest, and it felt very weird seeing as my shoes are all Road shoes. So I think you are right in that you will need to do lots of research and shopping around! I have an image of you sitting at home surrounded by 100 boxes of shoes ๐คฃ. All the best! ๐ค๐
Hi Sparky ๐. Sorry to hear youโre not doing so well on the running front at the mo. Neither am I but I have expectations๐
Iโve been sitting on two new pairs of shoes which Iโd been reluctant to take out while the roads and trails near me are filthy, but it struck me though (doh!) that new shoes might help solve some of my niggles โบ๏ธ
I hope get your injury sorted soon and get back out there ๐๐๐โโ๏ธ
so sorry to hear of your problems sparky66. When buying new trainers I recommend you go to an independent or specialist running shop for gait analysis and advice.
Club runners at parkrun are a good source of info on good shops.
I was diagnosed with with forefoot varus in both feet. Itโs worse in the left foot. Thereโs no cure for it. Get orthotics and go to the chiropractor. Make sure your shoes are supportive.
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