FINALLY!!!
I saw the podiatrist and got some information that actually makes sense.
First off, I obviously have plantar fasciitis. I think everyone has agreed with that since day one. But the real question I had- and the reason I asked for the MRI- was the pain I have on the bottom lateral edge of my foot. He put his finger immediately on the exact spot, and told me it’s peroneal tendinitis.
Ah… we meet again.
Peroneal tendinitis has the dubious distinction of being the very first running injury I ever had, when I was twenty years old. The reason I didn’t recognize it this time is that I feel it in a different place. Let’s look at this picture…
You can see where the peroneus longus and brevis tendons run along the outside of the foot. Where these are colored red is where tendinitis pain usually occurs, just under the ankle. That’s where mine was so painful years ago, but it doesn’t hurt there at all now. See how the peroneus longus tucks under the foot? THAT’S where my pain is. It attaches to the bone on the bottom of the foot, and therefore is considered “insertional tendinitis.”
After looking at the MRI, the doctor told me I have a “difficult foot.” (Oh really? I hadn’t noticed.) He said I have an extremely high arch, and also that my foot turns in a little, which causes me to over supinate.
It’s incredible to me that he was able to tell that without even seeing me walk, because I am pigeon toed on that left side- I was born that way. I actually had a night brace when I was a baby, and then a brace I wore all the time in first grade, which forced my feet to turn out. Ugh… I hated that brace SO MUCH. It went around my waist, then had two bands that went down the outside of each leg, attaching to sturdy orthopedic shoes. Luckily I was too young to realize I looked like a total dork- what I hated is that it was so uncomfortable. It forced my feet into a turned-out position, and every once in a while it was adjusted to turn out even more. Whenever it was adjusted, I could hardly walk at first. Eventually the problem was corrected as much as possible. But my left foot still turns in.
I want to say this picture makes it look worse than it really is- I did pick a shot where it’s especially prominent… but the camera doesn’t lie, right?
Backtrack to the peroneal tendinitis when I was twenty… the podiatrist I went to back then made me some custom orthotics, which I wore for years and years. Somewhere along the way I stopped using them… I think after I had my kids my feet changed, and those orthotics were no longer comfortable.
I decided that I didn’t really need them. I bought into the theory that most people don’t need orthotics, and that injuries should be addressed by strength training and focusing on correct running form. I thought people should just run the way they run naturally, and make it work. Well, I guess it’s not working for me.
My doctor today told me that I am definitely one of those people who truly needs orthotics, and they need to be custom-made. Generic over-the-counter orthotics are made for people who over pronate, and I have the opposite problem. As he was explaining what the orthotic would do, he was holding my foot in a neutral position and showing me where the support would be… and just having him do that felt so good.
Yes! Give me orthotics immediately!!! But, he said he wants to heal up the foot first, then fit me for orthotics. He wanted to do shockwave therapy. I told him my old doctor already tried that and he said his shockwave machine is the real thing (WHAT? My old doctor had a fake one???) and that he’s had a 100% success rate with it. AND, he said he could treat the plantar fasciitis and insertion of the peroneal tendon in the same session.
So I had the first (of four) shockwave sessions today. Yes, it hurt, but that’s okay- when does that foot not hurt? But here’s the best part- I asked him if I could run and he was almost surprised by the question. He was like “Oh yes- running is great!” Ha ha, well, I think we agree on just about everything. He did caution not to run too far- but my foot already lets me know when it’s too much, so there’s no danger there.
I’m feeling really good about this! I know it’s going to take a while. I have three more shockwave sessions, scheduled one week apart. Then I have to be fitted for orthotics, and then I have to get used to them. But I’m optimistic that I’m on the right track. I really want to break out of this continuous cycle of injuries and do some fun things with my running. Onward!
Tune in on Friday where I promise, I will not talk about my foot at all! I think we all need a new subject, right?
Have you ever worn orthotics?
22 Responses
Oh, Jenny, this is exciting!!! You have found the best doctor!
Yes, I wear orthotics and I’ve been wearing them since I was out for 11 months with Achilles tendonitis (in 2019). I swear by them.
To me, they are like eyeglasses: some people need glasses to see properly. Some people need orthotics to run properly. Since I have them, I have never had issues again.
And yay for him telling you to run again!! So cool!!
Good to know that orthotics are working for you! Yes, I probably wore my old orthotics for 20 years, and during that time I had a few injuries here and there, but nothing like what I’ve had now without them. Not sure why it took me so long to put two and two together!
Oh YAYYY!!!! Some answers, and very encouraging ones at that!!!! My feet are goofy ( well, my body ain’t exactly pristine either)…they are really bony, narrow and the arches are very pronounced. But, I over-pronate like a badass. Also, my knees “turn in,” but not symmetrically (that would be too boring LOL), so my form always looks compromised in race pics & both feet absorb the impact differently. Yeah, it’s fun trying to pinpoint the cause of injuries sometimes when there’s so many oddball factors at play. I’m so happy you have a solid plan going forward!!!!
I’m obviously a very strange person, but since I have such “difficult” feet, I always look at other people’s. So I have noticed that yours are very narrow! I’m always envious of people with narrow feet because you have such a choice of running shoes… it’s hard for me to find ones that are wide enough.
Yes you are on the right track, now you know your “enemy” and you can fight him.
Glad that the doctor told that you can run, this is a great news.
After my femur fracture I wore custom-made orthotics but, at the end of an half marathon, I felt pain inside the knee. I immediately understood the reason: orthotics are designed by placing the feet on a flat floor but when we run we do it on uneven surfaces (trails or roads) and this situation nullifies their usefulness.
Get well soon and keep on running, this is the best cure for everything!
Yes, being able to continue running is the best news.
I do know that some people wear orthotics to recover from an injury, and then don’t need them anymore. I think orthotics will be a “forever” thing for me, but we’ll see- I won’t really know until I try them.
Oh I like the shockwave machine – I had it years ago when my bones in my foot crunched my tendons because I had an un-corrected leg length difference! Glad you know what’s what and can get on with it.
Yes, almost everyone has great results with shockwave. My new doctor thinks my old doctor was actually doing something called “radial therapy” and calling it shockwave therapy, grr. Anyway, I think this treatment will work.
Aw yiss!!! This is excellent news. Especially the “running is great” comment.
Yes, that was my favorite part about the appointment! Well, either that or when he told me he’s had a 100% success rate. I liked that part too.
Oh I am so glad to read that you finally got some answers that make sense to you. That is great that you can still run while you work through this all. Fingers are crossed for you!
Thank you Deborah! I appreciate it.
This is crazy. When I was young I was pigeon toed and wore a brace. But only at night.
I had orthotics prescribed after I had strained Achilles. After I broke my ankle it was no longer comfortable so I stopped wearing them.
Hope this solves your foot issues.
Wow, that’s funny you had the same thing! You’re lucky you only had a night brace.
I am so glad someone’s figuring this out with you!! Great news.
Thanks San! I’m excited about it.
Great news! It sounds like this podiatrist has a good understanding of what is going on, and how to address it!
Yes he seems very confident! Definitely makes me feel good.
What a successful podiatrist appointment – and I love how he was able to confidently and accurately zero in on the problems immediately! Here is to a new beginning for you!
Yes! Thank you!