Toe/Foot pain

[mickmck]

Hello

I usually run three times a week and have been doing this for three years with no issues.
About 3-4 months ago I noticed a strange feeling around the toe area on my left foot when
I walked down the stairs barefoot; kind of a numbness/tingling when I put my weight onto
the foot. I didn't notice it when I had footwear on and there was no real pain.

I carried on running with no issues, then about 4 weeks ago, I was 9 miles into a 15 mile run and I noticed an uncomfortable sensation on top of my left foot, kind of in the toe area and
kind of towards my smaller toes, this got progressively worse, until I had to stop and
limp home. Once I had stopped running, I could walk fine with no pain.

I rested it for a week, still with the strange sensation when walking downstairs barefoot, tried running again, this time it started about a mile into the run, the same pain, which again,
gradually got worse. I rested it for another week, tried again, but the same happened again, but this time after about 2 miles.

There isn't any major pain when I press on my toes, when I try to lift my toes with my wife applying pressure that feels OK and there doesn't see to be any swelling. I can feel a very slight unconfortable feeling around my smaller toes when I focus on it and I also have a dull ache around the left side of my foot.

Im thinking of trying Orthotics, but don't know if this will be a waste of money and
it is going to take me a while to get an appointment with my doctor. I am starting to
cycle to try and keep some kind of fitness but I really want to be running again for the
spring/summer...any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Mick

[Heidi]

Hi

I would recommend you visit a podiatrist or someone who specialises in foot injuries and biomechanics etc before you invest in orthotics which, as you say, may make no difference or even exacerbate it.
You are right to rest from running and try to maintain your fitness other ways. The only other advice I could give you would be to stretch your calf muscles lots - these are so often associated with ankle and foot injuries due to their involvement with pronation/supination movements.
Do you know if you are an overpronator, neutral or oversupinator?

Here is our foot injuries page for you to have a look at:
http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/foot_injuries.php

[mickmck]

Hi

thanks for the reply, I have had gait analysis and I overpronate, my left foot (the injured one) is more severe than my right...so maybe reinforces the need for me to see an expert!

thanks