I'm two weeks into no running in an attempt to cure my foot troubles.
A little history with this, my troubles began in the summer of 2003, pain in
the back of my left heel, I received a cortisone shot and was told to use my
old (20 years) orthotics. I never had the classic arch pain in the morning,
etc. Then on one fateful Monday in August I was running a XC race, on the
last small uphill I felt a sudden terrific pain in my left arch, I hobbled
to the finish. I went to the podiatrist and was taped up for a week or so
and did no running for 10 days. I was casted for new orthotics and started
back up running after that and haven't stopped. My podiatrist wouldn't
comment when I asked him if I should run or not if I could run without
significant pain. Over that winter I began to feel the cure was worse than
the disease and stopped using the orthotics. I had a successful season this
past summer and fall when too much racing (2 marathons in 3 weeks and then a
15k a week later and a 10k a week after that) started to produce pain that
made it tough to run any distance over a few miles.
I also stated to get the classic PF symptoms in the right foot.
I went back to the doctor and requested an adjustment to my orthotics. I got
them back with minimal amounts sanded off them, I still don't like them.
Using the orthotics with new shoes and reductions in distance haven't helped
so I have stopped running completely and am doing mostly elliptical work and
weight training.
The last time I was in I mentioned that I still feel a bump or "mass" in
the left foot
in the arch at the heel. While he stated that this wasn't "normal" he had no
suggestions on how to deal with it. This bump/mass has never gone away and I
wonder if it is instrumental in the pain I have in the left arch and in the
foot up to the bottom of the ankle at times. If it is, how are orthotics
going to help?
It's now been close to a year and a half since the original injury and I
think it's past time to find a cure. I think I made a poor choice in
contiuing "treatment" with the podiatrist I've been using and am looking at
other options, I have an appoimtment with another local podiatrist who has a
good reputation with runners, he video tapes you running and makes temporary
orthotics for the cost of an office visit.
I am also considering ESWT extra corpreal shock wave treatment as there are
now a couple of doctors in the area that offer it.
Doug F.'s doctor is one of them and Doug is going to e-mail with information
form his doctor about efficacy, when he uses its, etc. when he gets it,
right Doug? 😉
Anyhow, I know you all are not Doctors, etc. and am not expecting a money in
the bank diagnosis but.
Do you think this mass is probably a bone spur? If it is how do I get rid of
it? I have hopes that shockwave treatment may "break it up". After my visit
with this podiatrist I may consult Doug's Dr. or another doctor who is close
to where I live who offers this treatment based on whether the podiatrist I
see knows anything about the local person and can recommend him. I haven't
found any local runners who have seen the local person yet who can comment
on him.
Sorry for the length but I have lots of time since I'm not spending 8 hours
a week or more training 🙁
Parker R.