Foot problems. Is this good news or bad?

[Sax64]

So, for a while now I've been afflicted with a foot problem. A podiatry appointment in December seemed to indicate a plantar plate tear. I was given some bespoke insoles for my shoes, some exercises to do, told never to go barefoot and given an information sheet. I was not told to stop running. Yesterday I had a follow up appointment.... Now the thing is the insoles were torture, worse than the condition so I stopped wearing them, but I did the other stuff. I was managing how the condition felt, but actually the physiology of the foot was deteriorating. So the good news is I'm being referred for an ultrasound scan, the bad news I've now been told to reduce the running, both frequency and duration. This is going to be so hard, particularly as Spring has sprung here. It seems extremely unlikely that I'll be able to join you all in HU25 at least for 10k. Maybe a 5k walk. We'll have to see. That's it with running, we do have to deal with setbacks, so I need to be positive and focus on what I am able to do, not dwell on what I can't. MrSax64 did some maintenance on the bikes yesterday, perhaps I'll do more of that again very soon 🚴🚴and get my exercise fix that way.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Oh dear. Injuries are such a nuisance. Most of us have had to take time out for various injuries and all I can say is that they do get better and you will run as you want to again.

As you say, you have some good news here. I like the positive news that you can reduce your running rather than stop altogether. That is surely very good news 👍

The insoles should not have caused you so much pain. Did you give the podiatrist feedback about that?

Hopefully, with a little patience and guidance from your podiatrist after your scan, you will be back to running as you wish. In the meantime, just remember that injuries are temporary but running is forever and you will be back to where you want to be.

[Sax64 in reply to Irishprincess]

Yes, I did say about the pain the insoles gave me. She did say some people don't tolerate that specific type of insole. Unfortunately, that was me. So until I get my scan, she fashioned a super cushioned one just to alleviate any discomfort.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Oh no! That's not what you wanted to hear.

Several years ago I had a stress fracture in my foot; running and walking were both out so I dusted off a bike I hadn't ridden for many years. It was a fantastic alternative, and although it hasn't replaced running, I still ride now when the weather is decent. I found it really did help because I was still getting out in the fresh air, still exercising, I had new targets to beat and challenges to complete and in the end I even entered a couple of events! And when I could finally rin again, it was utter joy! You'll get there. It's tough, but if you concentrate on cycling and maybe some strength work too in the meantime (Caroline Jordan has lots of free videos on You Tube that specialise in 'hurt foot' exercise routines), you can come back stronger than ever.

[Sax64]

Thank you for your kind words. I've been a cyclist for most of my life, it's just not an attractive prospect in the winter. So at least now it's Spring I'll be happy to dust it off again. You're right about the strength work too and I'll look up that link you suggested too. Though interestingly, she wants me to target the soleus muscle in the calves, which I do anyway as a runner.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Sax64]

I'm with you - cycling is a nice weather activity. So you could have times it much worse to be fair 😍

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

My physio warned me off insoles because of my high arches. I do wear heel cups in my trail shoes; they bring up the 8 mm heel drop to 10mm….so closer to my 12mm road shoes. That works really well for me. Funny things feet! Hope you get a fix quickly.🙂

[Sax64]

Thanks for your concern, I think I'd be surprised if there was a quick fix though.

[nowster Metric Marathon]

I wore insoles for over 30 years! The last ones I was prescribed I really didn't get on with.

I then essentially went totally 180° to how my podiatrist would have liked me to. I went for barefoot shoes. It took some time to adapt but my feet have never felt better. I have mild hypermobility and without the support of the foot muscles I have flat feet.

Modern shoe designs (from the 1800s onwards) tend to immobilise the foot and hinder the development of foot musculature. Podiatrists tend to think within that box and make devices that further immobilise things.

Now, I'd never be recommending that for you.

However, it'll be interesting to see what the scan shows. My guess is that it's not what they originally thought it was.

I traced the start of some recent plantar fascia pain to me lacing my walking shoes too tightly over the arch!

There's a newer school of thought that sinews need a certain amount of particular types of stresses to heal. Immobilising them doesn't promote healing and running doesn't provide the right type of stress.

It may be useful to go with your new diagnosis to a sports physio to see if they can put together something that will promote your foot's healing.

PS. For the soleus (which I need to work on too) and the associated tendons the best thing is slow, deep calf raises. Easy to do on the bottom step of some stairs.

[Sax64]

Thanks so much for your detailed reply and sharing your experience. I can't imagine running in barefoot shoes, it must have taken some getting used to.. I do seem to have flummoxed the podiatrist, hence ordering a scan. In the meantime I'm happy to follow her recommendations particularly as walking barefoot on hard surfaces is so uncomfortable/ painful in the right foot. And thanks for the tip about the soleus exercises too.

[nowster Metric Marathon in reply to Sax64]

I occasionally run totally barefoot too.

If the weather is OK I'll be redoing Week 1 Run 1 from C25K on Monday to celebrate my runniversary. I may even do it barefoot!

[Sax64 in reply to nowster]

Now that is extreme! I imagine you have to be certain of the terrain you're running on. Happy Runniversary too🏃‍♀️🎊🏃‍➡️

[Tessie66 Half Marathon]

Hope you get back soon I find rolling a frozen bottle of water helps me

[Sax64]

I tried the ice therapy, but I also have Reynauds, so having treated the area, I just couldn't get the foot warm again. I decided it wasn't worth it. But thanks for the tip.

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

Oh dear, we never know what's round the corner to stop us running do we? Heal well and I'm sure you'll find a way to get back. Cycling through spring and summer will be good too

[Sax64]

Ah, thanks. I've had 3 consecutive rest days now and I'm tempted to try a short slow run in the morning and maybe a cycle later. 🤞