Foot Pain - Strange One

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Foot Pain - Strange One

I find that if I walk at a quick pace or do any activity for a length of time, I get a dull pain near to my instep on my right foot. I've marked the location on in blue, as best as I can, below:

foot.jpg


It doesn't seem to affect performance in anyway, and the pain goes away as soon as I stop for a few minutes. It happens in a variety of trainers/shoes and on different surfaces.

I'm not overly worried about it but any ideas as to what it may be?
 
Re: Foot Pain - Strange One

How long ago did you first notice this pain?

Do you ever notice this area 'stiff' when you wake up in the morning?

How flexible are your calves?
 
Re: Foot Pain - Strange One

I would say since about November last year, first noticed when walking up uphill, the steeper the hill the worse the pain. However, it goes after resting for a short while or walking on the flat. It's only been in the last week or so that I've noticed it at any other time.

The are seems fine most of the time, no stiffness or anything else.

Calves, average flexibility I'd say.
 
Re: Foot Pain - Strange One

Everything is telling me tight calves!

I guess it depends on your benchmark for average ;)

Stand bare foot. Legs straight. Feet parallel. Hip width apart.
Bend at the hip and touch the ground with the palms of your hands.
Walk your hands forwards.

How far can you get without lifting your heels off the ground?
 
Re: Foot Pain - Strange One

That' really not bad! You're quite good at http://yoga.about.com/od/yogaposes/a/downdog.htm then?
I can get as far as the plank position, then I have to raise my heals as I lower into a press up.
Tight calves can cause plantar fasciitis. Although its called 'Policeman's Heel' it can cause pain at the arch area through inflammation.

Have you suffered an inversion sprain of the ankle? An ATFL (anterior talo-fibular ligament) sprain can cause mild plantar fascia strain.

Pain in this area can also be caused by discrepancy in leg length, but that is not likely to occur at your grand age.

It can also have a neurological basis but I am still going with calves. Your flexibility in this area is quite good but you probably challenged it a tad too much with the hills. Next time you feel the need to go uphill, wear four inch heels :D

Practice the Downward Dog and stretch your calves regularly. Ice the pain and ibuprofen to reduce the inflammation. You may find that arch supports may help in the short term, giving your plantar fascia time to rest and heal.


NB Sorry it took such a long time to write this reply, my son decided to stop the ball with his head for a change. He now has a lovely [large] lump. Why are boys always so keen to redesign the perfection their mothers created? :laugh:
 
Re: Foot Pain - Strange One

I will give that yoga position a try, although I have an overriding fear that I'll not be able to get back up and will end up stranded like it!

The only other time I've had any real ankle pain was about 10 years ago or so, when I may well have done something similar to what your suggesting. I rested it up for about 6 weeks and not really thought to much of it since.

I'm like the tight calves idea, as it seems to fit the bill, it also gives me an excuse to avoid walking up hills, unless in heels (but that would only cause the dog embarrassment and she's now at that funny teenage stage! :laugh: :embarrassed:).

I hope your son is ok, I trust he's been told that there are better ways of stopping a ball?
 
Re: Foot Pain - Strange One

I'll use this as the problem is still in the foot area (well roughly).

Been having some issues with pain around the back of my ankle for sometime now. It first started around Feb time, when bowling in indoor nets. As soon as my front foot landed, I had a sharp pain up the Achilles tendon. It went away after 3 or 4 balls and I thought nothing of it.

Since then I've been finding that I get the same pain whenever I bowl and it generally goes away after an over. However, yesterday the pain increased and stayed for a lot longer than usual, so much so that I had to finish my over by bowling offspin from a few steps. I can still feel the pain slightly now, if I flex my ankle.

I'm going to see a doctor about it as it's causing some concern (and the last thing I want is a snapped tendon) but I'm just wondering what the potential problem may be and what sort of questions I should be asking the doctor, especially as I would like to get it treated properly.

Also, I've noticed that when bowling my front foot is angled to the right upon landing and not straight, is this likely to be adding to the problem? It only seems to occur when bowling and only upon landing, I can run, twist and turn etc fine without pain.

The attached picture shows a red dot where I perceive the centre of the pain to be.
 
Re: Foot Pain - Strange One

Is this your left ankle?

Do you have a front on action?

Has your training increased a lot in the last few weeks?
 
Re: Foot Pain - Strange One

Liz Ward said:
Is this your left ankle?

Do you have a front on action?

Has your training increased a lot in the last few weeks?
Click to expand...

Yes - left ankle

Yes

Not really, the injury just seems to be getting progressively worse.
 
Re: Foot Pain - Strange One

There are several causes of achilles tendonitis. One, that may fit in with your previous issue is overpronation.

When you walk, how flat does your arch go?
 
Re: Foot Pain - Strange One

If you overpronate, it may explain why your front foot places to the right.

If this is the case, we can eliminate all you problems :D
 
Re: Foot Pain - Strange One

I think I may well overpronate (if my understanding of it is correct) as I have a habit of wrecking trainers/shoes at the heel, however I would say that (according to the wet foot test) I'm on the side of having a high arch.

One thing, I've never had any problems until the last 6/8 months with foot pain, so why now? Surely, I should have expected to experience something before now?
 
Re: Foot Pain - Strange One

The problem with the wet foot test is that you are not actually walking whilst marking the print. Unless you can walk [say] on concrete. Your trainers/shoes are a better indication.

Have you always had problems with your shoes?

Of course, it may not be overpronation. It could also be lack of flexibility [going back to the calves] or an injury [unlikely].

Have you put on a bit of weight recently?
 
Re: Foot Pain - Strange One

The problem with shoes was more when young, as I would routinely ruin the heel/back of the shoe, causing them give way to the inside.

I'll try walking on concrete later (have paving out the back) to see how that looks, will also dig out an old pair of trainers that I used to jog in and see where the wear is.

As for weight, not really, have lost weight if anything.
 
Re: Foot Pain - Strange One

To update this, I've noticed a few things. The pain is only there during certain times, mostly when bowling (from landing the front foot), when running and then stopping suddenly (on that ankle), when walking downstairs or putting on a pair of socks. The last two only happen when the foot goes 'limp'.

As for the pain, well, its concentrated on the achilles tendon and tends to go after a minute or two. I can run, walk, twist, turn etc perfectly fine and without pain, it only hurts as mentioned above. There is no swelling in the area nor stiffness.

As for causes, after bowling on a wet wicket yesterday I was able to note the position of that foot and it is most definitely pointing inwards, towards fine leg. Have walked on concrete with wet feet and that all seems within the normal range in terms of the arch.

Will be seeing someone on Tuesday about it - what sort of questions should I be asking or what can I expect to hear?
 
Re: Foot Pain - Strange One

I think it is very important that you tell the practitioner everything, even if you think it is irrelevant, especially the length of time you have been suffering.

They may be able to diagnose your problem after a little feel. I am not sure the diagnosis is the issue; you need to establish the cause. Resting is not going to help, long term. You may need a scan and perhaps a visit to the podiatrist. Don't be afraid to ask for a referral.

I would be interested in what they have to say if you get a chance :)
 
Re: Foot Pain - Strange One

If I get anything interesting then I'll report back. It's very frustrating at the moment, just want to know what is going on and what can be done about it.
 
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