I started running last spring and had a good start but found it hard to run any longer distance than 6 miles. I didn't seem to have the endurance and the balls of my feet hurt after the 5 mile point. I ran a few 5K's. a 10K and HTC. I ran through to October and then took a few months off due to a hectic work schedule and started running again in January. My goal this year is to run HTC again and at least two half marathons. I run about a 9 1/2 to 10 minute pace.
I am still having the problem with the balls of my feet hurting and when I started running again in January my achilles tendon started hurting. It feels more tight then anything and only hurts at the beginning of the run and the next morning when I first get up. I saw the physical therapist at work and she said it was very tight and that I also needed to get insoles because I have very high arches. I went to Fit Right NW and purchased some good insoles but they haven't seemed to help either problem. I can live with the tight achilles tendon but the balls of my feet hurting keep my from getting in the longer runs I want to accomplish.
I am currently running in a Nike Air Citius 2 because I use the Nike sensor when I run. I have probably run about 150 miles in these shoes.
I am 5' 8 and weigh 152. Any suggestions?
Robin
Full Version: Foot and Achilles tendon pain
Robin,
Sorry to hear about your troubles. When you run do you heel strike, or run up on your forefoot? Which Achilles is flared up? Do both of the balls of your feet hurt, or just the same foot as the Achilles? How long are you holding your stretches?
Dr Jake
Sorry to hear about your troubles. When you run do you heel strike, or run up on your forefoot? Which Achilles is flared up? Do both of the balls of your feet hurt, or just the same foot as the Achilles? How long are you holding your stretches?
Dr Jake
QUOTE(Dr. Jake @ Apr 15 2010, 11:13 AM) 
Robin,
Sorry to hear about your troubles. When you run do you heel strike, or run up on your forefoot? Which Achilles is flared up? Do both of the balls of your feet hurt, or just the same foot as the Achilles? How long are you holding your stretches?
Dr Jake
Sorry to hear about your troubles. When you run do you heel strike, or run up on your forefoot? Which Achilles is flared up? Do both of the balls of your feet hurt, or just the same foot as the Achilles? How long are you holding your stretches?
Dr Jake
Dr. Jake,
I think I tend to run more on my forefoot. I am trying to be more aware of how I am running to see what the problem is. Both of the balls of my feet hurt but the only Achilles that hurts is my left. The right one does not bother me at all. I have been holding my stretches for about 30 seconds each.
Robin,
How have things ben this last week? Have you been able to get new arch supports?
It is important to have a little heel strike. If you are running on your forefoot you will putting a lot of eccentric contraction on the calf muscles and deep compartment. This can cause tendonitis and injury. Another key component would be to add in a cuboid post to your insoles. This is a bit of foam that pushes up and stabilizes the lateral arch of the foot. This will produce a key signal during mid-stance that will transfer your weight onto your big toe. If you miss this signal you will be decreasing your power and shortening the toe off phase. You end up pushing off with the ball of your foot instead of the big toe (which will cause soreness in the ball of the foot). If there is no cuboid post the gastroc is forced to fire quicker in an effort to roll your foot onto the big toe. This ballistic calf contraction puts undo tension into the Achilles tendon. You should also make sure to stretch for 45-60 seconds for both the calf muscles and the deep compartment.
I hope this helps.
Dr Jake
How have things ben this last week? Have you been able to get new arch supports?
It is important to have a little heel strike. If you are running on your forefoot you will putting a lot of eccentric contraction on the calf muscles and deep compartment. This can cause tendonitis and injury. Another key component would be to add in a cuboid post to your insoles. This is a bit of foam that pushes up and stabilizes the lateral arch of the foot. This will produce a key signal during mid-stance that will transfer your weight onto your big toe. If you miss this signal you will be decreasing your power and shortening the toe off phase. You end up pushing off with the ball of your foot instead of the big toe (which will cause soreness in the ball of the foot). If there is no cuboid post the gastroc is forced to fire quicker in an effort to roll your foot onto the big toe. This ballistic calf contraction puts undo tension into the Achilles tendon. You should also make sure to stretch for 45-60 seconds for both the calf muscles and the deep compartment.
I hope this helps.
Dr Jake
QUOTE(Dr. Jake @ Apr 22 2010, 09:51 AM)
Robin,
How have things ben this last week? Have you been able to get new arch supports?
It is important to have a little heel strike. If you are running on your forefoot you will putting a lot of eccentric contraction on the calf muscles and deep compartment. This can cause tendonitis and injury. Another key component would be to add in a cuboid post to your insoles. This is a bit of foam that pushes up and stabilizes the lateral arch of the foot. This will produce a key signal during mid-stance that will transfer your weight onto your big toe. If you miss this signal you will be decreasing your power and shortening the toe off phase. You end up pushing off with the ball of your foot instead of the big toe (which will cause soreness in the ball of the foot). If there is no cuboid post the gastroc is forced to fire quicker in an effort to roll your foot onto the big toe. This ballistic calf contraction puts undo tension into the Achilles tendon. You should also make sure to stretch for 45-60 seconds for both the calf muscles and the deep compartment.
I hope this helps.
Dr Jake
How have things ben this last week? Have you been able to get new arch supports?
It is important to have a little heel strike. If you are running on your forefoot you will putting a lot of eccentric contraction on the calf muscles and deep compartment. This can cause tendonitis and injury. Another key component would be to add in a cuboid post to your insoles. This is a bit of foam that pushes up and stabilizes the lateral arch of the foot. This will produce a key signal during mid-stance that will transfer your weight onto your big toe. If you miss this signal you will be decreasing your power and shortening the toe off phase. You end up pushing off with the ball of your foot instead of the big toe (which will cause soreness in the ball of the foot). If there is no cuboid post the gastroc is forced to fire quicker in an effort to roll your foot onto the big toe. This ballistic calf contraction puts undo tension into the Achilles tendon. You should also make sure to stretch for 45-60 seconds for both the calf muscles and the deep compartment.
I hope this helps.
Dr Jake
Dr. Jake,
I bought new arch supports in Feb. so I think the support is still fine. After the 8 mile run I realized it was time to buy a new pair of shoes. I had to stop a few times during the run and take off my shoes and massage the balls of my feet just to complete the run. I went down yesterday and was fitted with a pair of Mizuno Wave Inspires. They felt good while taking a short job outside of the store but I noticed when I ran today I am still feeling some pain with the balls of my feet and my toes seem to be going slightly numb. The PT at my work suggested that I purchase some metatarsal pads to wear during my runs. She also said my feet as well as my calves are very tight and I have some hammer toe.
I have 30 days to return these shoes if they aren't the right fit so I guess this Sunday's run will be a good test. I am just wondering if I should try the metatarsal pads.
Robin
Robin,
Sounds like the new shoes you got will be helpful. I am sorry that the insoles are not doing the trick. I still think you will need a cuboid post to clear out the pain on the balls of the feet. The metatarsal pad will be helpful for the numbness between the toes and the hammer toes, but the Achilles issue needs a cuboid post. You need to also be sure to fully stretch out the feet and calves. Consider stopping by the tent on Sat to have one of the docs check out your new kicks and insole set-up.
Cheers,
Dr Jake
Sounds like the new shoes you got will be helpful. I am sorry that the insoles are not doing the trick. I still think you will need a cuboid post to clear out the pain on the balls of the feet. The metatarsal pad will be helpful for the numbness between the toes and the hammer toes, but the Achilles issue needs a cuboid post. You need to also be sure to fully stretch out the feet and calves. Consider stopping by the tent on Sat to have one of the docs check out your new kicks and insole set-up.
Cheers,
Dr Jake
QUOTE(Dr. Jake @ May 10 2010, 07:50 AM)
Robin,
Sounds like the new shoes you got will be helpful. I am sorry that the insoles are not doing the trick. I still think you will need a cuboid post to clear out the pain on the balls of the feet. The metatarsal pad will be helpful for the numbness between the toes and the hammer toes, but the Achilles issue needs a cuboid post. You need to also be sure to fully stretch out the feet and calves. Consider stopping by the tent on Sat to have one of the docs check out your new kicks and insole set-up.
Cheers,
Dr Jake
Sounds like the new shoes you got will be helpful. I am sorry that the insoles are not doing the trick. I still think you will need a cuboid post to clear out the pain on the balls of the feet. The metatarsal pad will be helpful for the numbness between the toes and the hammer toes, but the Achilles issue needs a cuboid post. You need to also be sure to fully stretch out the feet and calves. Consider stopping by the tent on Sat to have one of the docs check out your new kicks and insole set-up.
Cheers,
Dr Jake
Dr. Jake,
Where would I purchase a cuboid post? Would they be available at a running shoe store?
Robin
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