Wasn't sure if this should go in the medical forum or general forum. A shoe salesman told me that when I run I hit the outside of my foot and roll in, but I'm not sure I agree (although I'm no expert.) I was given a shoe with a lot of support on the inner arch. When I ran today, it hurt and I had to keep stopping. I'm not sure if this is because of a bad shoe, or because it's a good shoe that my body is adjusting to.

If you were to take your fingers and place them directly behind my inner ankle bone and then draw a line up from there to about midway up my calf (on the inside of my leg), that part was really hurting and straining. Is my foot being forced outward? I feel like I'm running on the outer sides of my feet....like a cowboy who spent too much time on the horse being bow-legged or something. Not sure if I should take them back or if I should give that part of my ankle time to "learn" a new pattern? It was a very unpleasant run today, but I'm a new runner so I want to start out the right way.

Thanks!

Serendipity,
What type of shoe are you running now? What were in before? What is your arch type? What is your approximate weight, height and running pace?

If you feel that the shoe is not right for you, take them back. It sounds like the shoe salesman thought that you pronated too much when you run, so he put you in a motion control shoe, which pushes your gait onto the lateral part of your foot.

From your description the muscle that is irritated is the posterior tibialis. This muscle is responsible for maintaining your arch and stabilizing the foot. Too little or too much arch support can affect this muscle. Ice the irritated area for 15 min with 1 hour breaks multiple times and stretch the deep compartment on a step or curb with the toes and ankle fully dorsi-flexed and the knee bent to 90 degrees.

For most people I recommend that they start with a mild motion control or neutral shoe and add a good medial arch support like Superfeet or Biosoft. This will give good feedback to the body without forcing the feet into supination.

It does take time to get used to a new pair of shoes. You should break new shoes in around the house for a week before testing them out on the road. You should try them on short distances before you head out on the long runs. Once you find the perfect fit shoe....by two more pairs.

I hope this helps. I will look for your reply. You are always welcome to stop by the Clearwater tent or clinic for a second opinion.

Dr Jake

I was in a pair of Saucony Excursion TR3 shoes... super cheap from the Outlet mall. My feet felt great except they'd get numb or fall asleep. The saleslady explained to me it was because I should go one size up for running shoes. She sold me a pair of Adidas Supernova Sequence shoes in the proper size (so my feet didn't fall asleep) but I'd almost rather wear the old ones.

I'm 5'10" and about 160lbs. I think I have a pace of about a 12 minute mile. I'm a slow-and-steady jogger. My arch, I don't know...but I'd guess it's average.

Thanks so much!

I went ahead and went back to the store. They said just by watching me walk that the shoes were making me supinate, but strangely when I ran, I seemed to pronate. They decided that my body "liked" pronating (haha) so they exchanged my shoes for a pair of Saucony Rides in the proper size. My run today was just fine.

I am glad you are enjoying your new shoes. Break them in slowly. You should still consider some form of arch support like the Biosoft or Superfeet. If you have a past history of numbness in the feet it is probably due to tight muscles in the deep compartment of your calf. Be sure to stretch out the calves and deep compartment. Stop be the tent and one of the doctors can show you how to do these awesome stretches.
Enjoy the new kicks.
Dr Jake