Let's talk about feet....

About 7 years ago, I suffered from severe foot pain.  I imagine I brought this pain on myself because of the types of dress shoes I chose to wear. Lets just say my shoe collection rivaled Carrie Bradshaw's!  The pain would come and go. As luck would have it, it showed up again 2 months before my very first race. I was told that surgery was an option. I just wanted to get through the race and then I would consider the surgery. 

I completely stopped
running a few weeks before the race in an effort to not aggravate the pain.  Turns out, I never had a bit of foot pain on race day. In fact, in those 7 years I've run 2 marathons, over a half dozen half marathons, and several smaller races and although I've struggled with ITBS, that foot pain NEVER came back!  Until.....this past month. If you are a regular reader, you've noticed in the Weekly Wrap post we post on Sundays I've mentioned this foot pain a few times.

I haven't seen the doctor yet because I know exactly what the pain is. It's called Sesamoiditis.  The sesamoid bone is the one on the inside of your foot that connects to your big toe. It's function is to aid the tendons in movement. Apparently my sesamoid bones have a tiny slit in them.  This pain can of course be triggered by shoes, which is what I thought was happening and hoped it would go back to normal in a few weeks, but it hasn't.  I would hate to think after all these years that THIS is what is going to keep me from running.

Thankfully, I have few things in my arsenal that I am hoping helps.


Most of these remedies are the same as relieving pain from a bunion.

1. I had a gel bunion cushion from a few years ago (apparently only one foot hurt bad enough to have one back then) but I recently bought another for the other foot and I wear them when I run. The cover just slips over your toe and the gels portion gives my sesamoid bone the cushioning it needs. This does not take the pain away but it definitely makes it a LOT better and I can stay on my feet much longer.

2. I am not a fan of KT tape ( I prefer Rock tape), but I found a tutorial on how to tape your foot for Sesamoiditis/bunions.  Its hard to say if this method worked. I could still feel the pain when I walk/ran, but then again, I don't know how bad it would have been had I NOT had the tape. Also, the pink KT tape I used did not stick very well. I'll have to try it again with my Rock tape.

3 & 4.  I have several different gel pads, some for metatarsal and some for the ball of the foot. Both of these I use to put in my dress shoes. I haven't needed to use them this time around in my dress shoes because the ones I now wear are very comfy but I may consider putting them in my running shoes and see how that works.

5. Lastly, I've been trying to ice that part of my foot after activity. If anything else, perhaps it will take the inflammation down and I'll gradually have less flare ups.

The gel covers and pads can be found at your local pharmacy but a few years ago I also discovered a great site for foot accessories and very comfy shoes called Footsmart.com.  If you need specialized things for your feet, ankles, or calves. you should check it out.

Before I started the fitness challenge I was trying to stay off my feet but even that didn't really help.

Any other advice or things I should try? -M

We're linking up with the gals from the Friday 5.

35 comments:

  1. Sorry to hear you have been struggling with pain! I have had issues with plantar fasciitis in the past, so I understand how miserable a painful foot can be! Hope to hear you are back up & running soon!! ps-I totally agree about the Rock tape vs. Kt tape :-)

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    1. I hear PF is horrible. I can only imagine. Yes,Rock tape is my "go to".

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  2. Ugh! it sounds like you are trying all the right things. But, you might want to consider seeing a podiatrist if the pain lingers just in case there's something else going on.

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    1. I'm gonna give it another week or two of rest and see what happens. I may just have to book another appt!

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  3. I bounce between high heels, flip flops and running shoes and so far so good. My foot does get a little sore in that tendon too- but a little foot rest fixes that!Have you been to a podiatrist yet? That might have some great tips to keep you on your feet :)

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    1. Yes, I have been to a podiatrist. That is who diagnosed me with sesamoiditis.

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  4. Since starting to run "more seriously", I've also kissed uncomfy, high-fashion shoes good-bye. Luckily Green Cross and the like makes some pretty funky, fashionable shoes these days, so there's no need to look like a (young) granny ;) !

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    1. Green Cross? Thanks for the suggestion! I'll definitely check those out!

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  5. I am not sure that taping does anything either. I've used it a few times and it's hard to say whether its really a placebo effect. I have not had that exact foot pain but have had my share!

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    1. You are right on the taping. The rock tape stays on better than KT but even when I used it for my knee the pain was always still there in some form.

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  6. Oh man... its the WORST when injuries come back to visit :(
    There are so many things that can happen to a foot. I never knew it before I started running & reading other runners issues. My step daughter has a LOT of feet issues too when she runs.
    OK -I'm going to have to try Rock Tape now!

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    1. Rock Tape is Mae out of a different material than KT tape and it stays on much better even when it gets wet!

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  7. Ugh! What a pain! I have a pair of semi-custom insoles for my running shoes that help. sadly have nearly given up my super high heels for events standing longer than an hour or so. So sad!

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    1. It's funny but the height of the heals don't bother my feet, it's the toe box itself. If they are open toe heals they are just fine! Although I still don't wear heals much anymore!

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  8. This sounds really annoying, and I didnt realize you had foot problems so long ago! I hope some of these things help!

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    1. Yes, I had the problem 7 years ago but surprisingly once I started running it went away!

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  9. I have had and still have foot pain... different than yours, mine is in the Adductor and Abductor Hallucis (caused by my lovely bunions). It was really super painful... but after some RICE treatment I started doing some stretching and strengthening exercises and it seems to help. Also, after a long run I roll the painful area with a golf ball and put on some bio freeze. I tape on long runs too, I think it helps in my situation as the tape stretches the big to away from the other toes.

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  10. Steroid shot? Sorry, no real good advice, but you have my sympathy with this foot pain. :(

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    1. Yes, I did see that steroid shots were an option. We will see how this goes!

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  11. oh man - i'm so sorry that this is coming back. no tips but sending good vibes your way!

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  12. So sorry to hear that your pain is back. I know you said that you haven't scheduled an appointment with the doctor, but they might be able to provide some assistance to come up with new ideas for remedies.

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  13. I'm sorry to hear your foot pain is back. I have bunions on both feet and it gets painful at times. I've been running in Altras, and that's really helped. Having the extra space works for me. I hope you can get some relief/answers soon!

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  14. Ouchies! This comment might get a little long....

    3 years ago, I hurt my right toe in a race, while wearing shoes that were a tad too big, and were not specific for running. and because I'm stubborn, I never talked to a doctor about it. But I had to switch shoes at work, running shoes and walk around barefoot a lot. And 98% gave up high heels :'~(

    I also used to roll my foot twice a week after any work out. I don't know what helped me more, the minimalist running shoes, the barefoot walking, the ugly comfy shoes at work or the rolling, but the pain stopped last summer. But I can tell you with confidence that, taping didn't work for me, and jellys on my shoes didn't work for Me.

    Please know that I'm not a doctor, or have any medical experience with feet (I would make more money if I did), this was only my own experience.

    I hope you find a solutions that will take the pain again, because the whole situation is very frustrating.

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    1. Me again... sorry! I feel like I was just ranting. My sincere advice to you, is talk to a doctor, especially if it hurts even when you walk.

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  15. I'm still battling with my ankle. Sometimes it's just fine, sometimes it aches, and it's really random. I keep thinking I'm fine, and then it starts aching again.

    I, too, prefer rocktape now. Gotta pack some!

    Mine is very different, though, so I have no advice for you, just sympathy.

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  16. Oh no! I'm so sorry. This sounds downright awful. I don't have any suggestions, but will be thinking about you. I hope you find something that really works for you!

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  17. Ugh, sorry that your foot pain has been acting up :(. It ands like yOu've got a good list of thing to try. that's a similar area where I had my muscles strain, and I've had to stop wearing heels except for very limited times.

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  18. :( I wish I had sage advice, but sounds like you're doing everything you need to do, though, going to the doctor might help to see if there is anything else going on contributing to that. Sorry you're in pain!

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  19. I'm so sorry that you are dealing with this again. I wish I had some advice to offer, but I've never experienced foot pain. It does sound like you are trying to do the right thing. Hopefully this goes away and you will be without pain soon.

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  20. It's like you know me. As I always say, it's not my knees that bother me, it's my feet. So not fair, right? I hope it goes away. I've given up on pretty shoes.

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  21. I had severe foot pain while training for my last marathon, and took a couple weeks off to heal. On race day I felt literally perfect and the pain has never come back! But it was sharp, in the arch/outside of my foot, and it caused me to limp. It's still a mystery to me!

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  22. Sorry to hear about this - sounds painful!

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  23. Great. You have several good tips here. When feet are swollen and painful, I use cold packs can numb the painful joints and reduce swelling. keeping the feet warm is also helpful for aching feet .

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