Midfoot pain

[BewitchedR]

Hi I'm new and hope someone can help:

18 mths ago I was dancing on pointe when I lost balance slightly like a small wobble and felt burning cramp through my midfoot inline with the 2nd metatarsal under the arch, there was no swelling or bruising but only what looked like a very small lump which is still present.

Ever since the injury I have had this pain after any activity including walking and I haven't been able to dance/walk very far/ do any athletic activity since the injury. The pain is at it's worst when my foot lifts off the floor to take another step or when on demipoint (tip toes).

I have tried:
Ice massage
Deep tissue massage
Ultrasound
Orthotics
Physio stretches e.t.c

It was originally diagnosed as Plantar Fasciitis this was then ruled out due to the location of pain and the fact that the pain got worse with activity and was at it's best after long periods of rest.

It was then thought it was a rupture but this wasn't found after using Jacks test.

Ultrasound scan found no abnormalities apart from what they thought may be a small tear but have since said it's more likely to be a blood vessel.

MRI also found no abnormalities although I don't have the full report yet.
XRay again no abnormalities.

Does anyone have any other ideas about what it might be or what I should do next? I was thinking about trying a night split but not sure if that would be good idea or not? I'm in the UK if that makes a difference?
Does anyone else have persistant midfoot pain?

Apologies for the length and Thanks in advance

BewitchedR

[Heidi]

Hi
I don't really know what to say to that! It seems you have been down all the right routes and had all the appropriate investigations.
I would personally say, from the way the injury occurred, that it is most likely a tear to something - maybe ligament, maybe muscle.
If this is the case, then it is a question of why it is not healing.
Have you had any prolonged periods of rest (i.e. several weeks with nothing strenuous)?
Have you had your feet assessed to see if you need insoles. If you do (maybe because if you overpronate/oversupinate) this may be putting extra stress on the ligament/muscle meaning it doesn't heal. I think this would be my next step if you haven't already. Try a podiatrist:
http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/professionals/podiatrist.php

Good luck!

[BewitchedR]

Hi Heidi

Thanks so much for your reply, yep I've been assessed by a podiatrist and had a few different pairs of insoles. I have tried prolonged rest which works until I try and do anything and I seem straight back to to square 1. I'm thinking about asking to use a boot?

Can I also get some advice based on a new injury? :-/

In the last week I 'went over' on my ankle (same foot which has the midfoot problem due to the instability already present). I have been told by my G.P it is probably a damaged anterior lateral ligament in the ankle. (But they are not sure how bad the sprain/damage is). I have been doing the usual i.e. rest, ice and I have some pain relieving gel but I'm not going to the hospital for another 2 weeks.

Therefore would strapping/ support be useful or should I just walk as normally as possible? Is there anything else which would help?

Thanks again

BewitchedR

[Heidi]

Hi
If you can walk normally then you should try to. This will help to align the healing ligament fibres normally.
Only use strapping if you really need it. If you can walk ok without it then it probably isn't necessary. If there is still much swelling then a compression bandage may help reduce this.
Try to get full movement back as soon as possible by doing ankle circles and stretching the calf muscles. Then start to strengthen it when painfree.
You can find more here: http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/ankle/anklesprain.htm

[BewitchedR]

Hi Heidi

Just thought I would reply to say that I have a new possible diagnosis from a physio which is damage to the FHL tendon and currently have a strapped up foot/ calf and can walk without pain for the first time in ages. :-)

Thanks for all of your help particularly after the ankle sprain, it helped me get back on my feet much quicker.

BewitchedR