Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Feet Update

For once I correctly diagnosed myself via Google. After Windermere I really started to think I needed to get to the bottom of my foot pain. After doing some searching on Google, I narrowed my symptoms down to:
Neuroma
Metatarsalgia

Based on what I read on reading boards I felt like what I was experiencing was Metatarsalgia. What exactly is Metatarsalgia?

According to the Mayo Clinic (SOURCE) Metatarsalgia is a condition marked by pain and inflammation in the ball of your foot. You may experience Metatarsalgia if you're physically active and you participate in activities that involve running and jumping. Or, you may develop Metatarsalgia by wearing ill-fitting shoes. There are other causes as well.

Although generally not serious, Metatarsalgia can sideline you. Fortunately, conservative treatments, such as ice and rest, can often relieve Metatarsalgia symptoms. And proper footwear, along with shock-absorbing insoles or arch supports, may be all you need to prevent or minimize future problems with Metatarsalgia.
What really made me decide I had Metatarsalgia was a posting I read somewhere (I can't recall where) that said when you start experiencing the pain in the ball of your foot you start compensating and run on the outside of your foot. That is exactly what I have been doing!
After doing my online research I put in an email to Dr. Anderson. He quickly responded and agreed with me I could have Metatarsalgia or even a stress fracture. He said if the pain persisted I should make an appointment to see him. I may have failed to mention that my feet have been a mess since at least January so I went ahead and made an appointment. I really didn't think I had a stress fracture; that would be bizarre to have two identical stress fractures at the same time. 
My appointment was yesterday and I am armed with every single pair of running shoes I have worn since August. Call me crazy, but I wanted to make sure we could get to the bottom of my pain. 
After Dr. Anderson asked me a series of questions, examined my feet & my shoes he determined that I was indeed suffering from Metatarsalgia. He didn't think I required X Rays or an MRI, but did say that if I had an MRI it would probably show a lot of swelling in the ball of each foot. His recommendation for me was to ditch the minimalist shoes for longer runs. I can still wear them for races and shorter runs less than a 10K and also for Farmgirlfit. He recommends that I even ditch my Ghost 5s and go back to the Brooks Adrenaline. I had told him I wore the Adrenaline model for almost 11 years before making the switch to the Ghost 5 in August. I should have known if it wasn't broke to not try and change it! Dr. Anderson also recommend that I invest in some metatarsal pad inserts for my shoes. I won't have to wear them long term, but the will allow the pressure to come off of the ball of my foot and hopefully relieve me of foot pain. He also suggested I go back and see my chiropractor for a couple of sessions to have my ankles worked on. Hopefully I can get in next week to see her!
I have ordered some metatarsal pads from the local Fleet Feet store so they should be in within the next week. In the meantime, Dr. Anderson gave me some samples to try out. I am very hopeful that switching my shoes back and using the metatarsal inserts for a couple of months will cure the problem I have been facing for months now. 
Why didn't I just make this appointment months ago?! I don't know so don't ask. Ha. 
Questions for you:
Have you ever had Metatarsalgia???
Ever switched out a running shoe and got injured before returning to what worked for you???

Have you ever self diagnosed yourself correctly from Google?
--Tasha


36 comments:

  1. My buddy Jes over at runladylike.com just did a post about having the same issue...I think :/

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    1. Thankfully it isn't too serious. I just wish I would have seen Dr. Anderson sooner. My bad.

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  2. I had issues with the balls of my feet about a year and a half ago. I diagnosed myself with the same thing before ending up in a podiatrist office. I am very anti-doctor so ended up a little frustrated but they sent for x-rays to rule out the stress fracture and told me the usual routine of rest/ice. I was 'resting' (in my terms of resting) but not icing. I eventually switched solely to Newtons and haven't had the issue since. In my mind, I'm convinced the lugs under the forefront work for since I naturally land on my mid/forefront.

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    1. I am some what anti doctor, but I really trust Dr. Anderson. He was the only one last year who diagnosed me correctly with compartment syndrome. He is a crazy good athlete himself so he really listens and understands me.

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  3. Oh no! Well, I'm glad you had the doc look at it and that you have a plan now to fix the issue. Hope the switch of shoes helps!

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  4. oh no i hope your injury improves!!! i actually have self diagnosed myself before using google, the first time i ever got Plantar fasciitis! now when i get that i just massage the bottom of my foot with a cold beer can!

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    1. I went for a 6.12 mile run tonight and it was pain free. The temporary met pads did slip a little so I am looking forward to having the true inserts. I also think my feet were happy to be in my Adrenaline shoes again. I have had PF before and it isn't fun either. I got the little inserts for my shoes and was better in about a month. I usually massage my foot with a tennis or golf ball. Haven't tried a can of beer yet.

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  5. I've never even heard of it! But that's awesome that you've finally figured it out...better late than never! Hopefully all of his suggestions wrap the problem up quickly! I am impressed that you were able to run through it all!

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    1. I had never heard of it before either. Thank you google!

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  6. Awesome that you have it figured out and that there's a relatively easy fix. Fingers crossed it all works for you--shoes can be a tricky beast!

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    1. I was so happy that it does appear to be an easy fix. Part of me was worried, but I really trust Dr. Anderson. I am lucky to have him!

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  7. So happy that you were able to figure out what the feet issue was. & even more happy it seems like it is not serious & should heal with inserts & different shoes. So crazy how something so seemingly minuscule like changing shoes can impact you so much.

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    1. Shoes really do make such a difference. I should have known months ago and trusted my instinct to go back to my Adrenaline shoes. I seriously wore that model for 11 years and had zero problems. I wore them for the first time tonight in 13 months and my feet were so happy. LOL.

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  8. Are the inserts pads for your feet? I am intrigued by this. Also, nice job finding a diagnosis! I am terrible with this and always end up "having" some horrific disease. I did change my shoes and wore the change up for my first marathon. Big mistake. The balls of my feet were hurting terribly. I have gone (back) to a more supportive (but still light-ish) shoe and the pains didn't return. I'm happy you got a diagnosis and hope your feet feel better soon!

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    1. I think so Amy. I haven't actually seen the inserts yet because Fleet Feet had to order them for me. The temporary mat pads are just little pads shaped like a rounded triangle with an adhesive on one side.

      I was shocked I was right with the diagnosis because I usually end up with a horrific disease too.

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  9. This sounds very similar to the self-diagnosis of what I thought was "sesamoid-itis" that I was experiencing with the Newtons. I stopped running in the Newtons for now and swapped back to my Asics, and recently the Mizuno Wave Riders and guess what - little to no pain left and it's diminishing... I bought a set of the metatarsal pads but I hated the way they felt. Might have needed a LONG while to get used to them if I want to run in the Newtons for shorter distances.

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    1. Isn't it crazy how important the right shoe is for us? I never in a million years would have thought that shoes would be such a huge factor. I am lucky that I at least can go back to my Adrenalines because I know that they work. I tried the temp met pads tonight and they didn't bother me. They actually felt good! I am looking forward to getting the inserts. I know I won't have to wear them forever, but hopefully they will make my feet get better sooner.

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  10. I am glad that you were able to figure this out!! And I totally did this... I was "bored" with my shoes so decided to switch things up. Ended up getting the worst shin splints in the world. Couldn't run for 2 months! It hurt even to sit... yes, my shin would throb! Since then, I've been extremely paranoid about switching shoes. So glad you are back to the ones that work! Hope this helps you fall back in love with running :)

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    1. It is crazy how important shoes are for us runners. I guess if it isn't broke then don't try and fix it. Glad you were able to figure out what your problem was too, even though it caused you pain for 2 months. Shin pain is not fun!

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  11. Sorry your marathon fizzled out. That stinks. But it sounds like you are moving on to have fun with training again. Also bummer about your foot.
    I saw this article today and thought of you: http://www.runnersworld.com/running-tips/study-rearfoot-forefoot-strike-equally-efficient

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    1. It's okay, marathons happen. :-)

      Thankfully the feet aren't serious so that is a good thing. Just wish I would have made an appt. with Dr. Anderson sooner. I just kept thinking my feet would get better.

      Thank you for sharing that article! What an interesting study. Makes me wonder now!

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  12. Ha! With my plantar fasciitis and blisters, I've been wondering if I should give up on midfoot-striking and just go back to heel-striking with my Adrenalines! But I'm scared my tendinitis will get worse if I do! ;)

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    1. Now that I read the article that Angie shared last night all I have been thinking about is my foot strike. I know that medically I probably would have had required surgery if I hadn't have switched, but at the same time I still wonder...
      I love my Adrenalines. I think I might need to order a new pair today to have in the hopper. The ones I have now probably have 250 (ish) miles on them.

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  13. I have been fortunate to have the experience of improved symptoms with going into the right shoes, but even that is enough to make me value shoes very, very highly! I've also just got orthotics made, after realising that supportive running shoes were doing me lots of favours (and made the world of difference to injuries) but I was still too injury prone to make increasing mileage easy. I'm hoping to go down a shoe support level now, but will be sticking with Brooks or Mizuno for sure :-)

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    1. The right shoes are so important Kari. I am glad that you found some that work for you. I won't need full blown orthotics, but the inserts should help relieve the pain off the ball of my foot.

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  14. I am so glad that you were able to figure out what was wrong! And that it's fixable! Before I started running, I just thought you would throw on some shoes and take off.
    I think it's cool that you used Google to find out! I have never done that, but would use it if I needed to. :)

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    1. I use google way too much. Most of the time I think I am dying or have some incurable disease. Haha.

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  15. Yay for getting to the bottom of this! I am always worried when I buy different shoes that I am going to mess something up, I don't know why I think I have to try new ones if the old are working!

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    1. I learned my lesson. Stick to the shoes that work for me. Another thing I should have listened to my gut instinct on.

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  16. Glad you're getting on your way to solving the problem. I always self diagnose myself with everything!

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    1. It is so easy to self diagnose. I know that physicians hate when we google our symptoms so I was embarrassed to tell Dr. Anderson I had used WebMD. At least I was right this time.

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  17. So glad you finally figured out what was wrong and can correct it now so your feet can be happy again :)

    I switched shoes two different times - both times didn't end to well .. my toes mainly took the beating!

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    1. My toes have taken a beating before too. UGH. So far my feet have been good since using my temporary inserts. Fingers are still crossed. I have a half marathon on Saturday...

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  18. I love my lighter shoes for short workouts & races, but there's no way I could get through 20+ miles without at least a few mm of cushioning -- I get that same ball-of-foot pain if I try. Brooks Launch is my current favorite marathon / long run shoe.

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    1. I am dying to try the Launch. I wish that Brooks would hurry up and release the new model. They keep pushing it back and it is driving me crazy!!!!

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