Pain on top of foot

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Last post: Mar 1, 2010 5:02 PM by Haselsmasher

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scottuf

30 posts since
Jul 20, 2009

Currently Being Moderated

Oct 21, 2009 6:45 PM

I did a search and couldn't find a similar thread, and have a dr. appt scheduled for next week so if no one knows, then hopefully he might be able to answer.

For the last 2 days I've had a fairly annoying pain on the top of my foot. It feels like it is along either the tendon or bone leading up from the big toe. A little background, I'm a fairly new runner, been working up slowly to my long run of 8 miles last week, and was going to do 10 tomorrow, but I think I'll skip it for now. On Sunday I did my 2nd triathlon and all went well, but Tuesday's run immediatly I felt the pain, but pushed thru the 5 miles with a new PR (I ran 3 miles on the treadmill on Monday without any pain that I can recall, but I wasn't really enjoying myself so I wasn't really paying attn to anything). I thought maybe it was my laces were too tight, but that shouldn't be it since I have been running in the same shoes all along, with elastic laces that I haven't adjusted. I loosened them a bit anyways. Today, all day it hurt, even with my shoe off. The other possibility might be that the toe clips on my bike irritated the tendon or bruised the bone and it just took a few days to start hurting? Icing it hasn't helped.

About the only info I could find online about this might be a stress fracture, but I thought maybe someone on here might have another idea.

Tags: running, pain, foot, tendon, top, bone

AngelaJC

3 posts since
Jan 7, 2009

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1. Oct 22, 2009 8:49 AM

in response to: scottuf

Re: Pain on top of foot

I'm certainly not trying to diagnose your foot pain, but since it sounds very similar to foot pain I had over the summer (& I was also racing triathlon while training for a marathon), you may have extensor tendonitis. When I saw my physician, he did order an x-ray to check for a stress fracture (a physical exam alone won't necessarily detect them), so I would certainly recommend you ask your doctor if you're worried about the stress fracture. Aside from the RICE method for healing, I would suggest you have your running shoes checked out to make sure they're both the right fit & not overused. You mentioned toe cages on your bike, & while I'm sure you've been told this before, the switch to clipless pedals will alleviate the pressure & also increase your efficiency on the bike. I found a video on the Runner's World website about re-lacing shoes for hot spots, which helped prevent further foot pain for me.

Here's the link: http://www.runnersworld.com/video/1,8052,s6-4-0-4,00.html?bcpid=2891005001&bclid=1716449631&bctid=1325133358

Again, your doctor is going to be your best bet, but hopefully some of my tips will help you as they helped me. =)

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scottuf

30 posts since
Jul 20, 2009

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2. Oct 22, 2009 10:47 AM

in response to: AngelaJC

Re: Pain on top of foot

Thanks for the info. I've pretty much have my laces as loose as possible and the pain has subsided (but not completly gone) leading me to think more along your idea of tendonitis rather than stress fracture (i sure hope so!), but we'll see what the doc says. I had thought that was a possibility, but like i said, couldn't really find any info. Your "diagnosis" lead me to the right search term and info for something other than stress fracture. It probably is a result of the toe clips. clipless are def in my future.

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RobinfromMaine

69 posts since
Dec 6, 2008

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3. Nov 3, 2009 5:37 PM

in response to: scottuf

Re: Pain on top of foot

right or left foot?

Robin

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scottuf

30 posts since
Jul 20, 2009

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4. Nov 3, 2009 5:41 PM

in response to: RobinfromMaine

Re: Pain on top of foot

left foot. after about 4 or 5 days the pain pretty much went away. dr said since it stopped hurting then not to worry about it. i've been about a week+ without pain, leading me to think i just irritated it with the toe clips on the bike. until i get clipless, i'll try to not tighten the strap quite as much.

why do you ask left or right?

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RobinfromMaine

69 posts since
Dec 6, 2008

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5. Nov 3, 2009 5:48 PM

in response to: scottuf

Re: Pain on top of foot

Running on cambered roads, against traffic, puts an uneven strain on the tendons on top of the left foot which is therefore on the downhill side, so to speak. The problem is, as people have said, tendinitis. No problem on treadmills because they are even. I use ice on top of my foot after running outdoors and try to switch to the other side of the road if it's safe.

Glad your pain went away.

Robin

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scottuf

30 posts since
Jul 20, 2009

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6. Nov 3, 2009 5:51 PM

in response to: RobinfromMaine

Re: Pain on top of foot

ah, i see. yeah, i typically run on the street facing traffic so the left would be slightly lower. i try to even it out moving to sidewalks as well, but i suppose as i run more it is something i need to stay aware of. thanks.

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RobinfromMaine

69 posts since
Dec 6, 2008

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7. Nov 3, 2009 5:57 PM

in response to: scottuf

Re: Pain on top of foot

You're very welcome.

Good running!

Robin

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Gary Christian

5 posts since
Sep 29, 2009

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8. Nov 14, 2009 2:41 PM

in response to: RobinfromMaine

Re: Pain on top of foot

Glad your pain went away....Im having the same problem on my left foot, from all my research its seems to be Metatarsal Stress Fracture Description: Pain in one of the long thin bones that run along the top of your foot and attach to your toes (the metatarsals) been running since 07 and feel stuck.

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DaneRunner

3 posts since
Nov 14, 2009

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9. Nov 14, 2009 3:28 PM

in response to: Gary Christian

Re: Pain on top of foot

Pain on the top of the foot could be a number of causes. As you already suggested, a metatarsal fracture...

or extensor hallicus tendonitis or even nerve compression.

I had this pain years ago but found I was running in the wrong shoe: a stability shoe vs a compression shoe.

I also changed the lacing so that the laces toward the top didn't cross but laced along the length of the tongue to avoid pressure

at the instep.

Hope your running is pain-free soon.

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sellisonm

16 posts since
Jan 4, 2009

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10. Nov 14, 2009 3:39 PM

in response to: scottuf

Re: Pain on top of foot

I had a very similar issue last week; the pain was pretty minor for me, more of an annoyance as you stated. It went away after only a few days, and hasn't returned. It was actually the second run in a new pair of shoes, (Mizuno's - which I've never worn before), so I took them back and got a pair of Saucony's instead. It was probably unrelated to the new shoes, but I wasn't really in the mood to keep experimenting (I wasn't 100% satisfied with how they felt anyway). Anyway, it sounds like we had a similar issue - hopefully it was just an irritation or bruise as you mentioned for both of us. I've only been running for a year or two and this was the first time it's popped up.

--------------------------------------------------

03/14/2009 - Silver Comet 10k 59:50

10/31/2009 - Silver Comet 1/2 Marathon 2:19:21

??/??/2010 - ??

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Gary Christian

5 posts since
Sep 29, 2009

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11. Nov 14, 2009 4:07 PM

in response to: sellisonm

Re: Pain on top of foot

After about 300 mile in a pair of Avias that I picked up at an outlet for $60.00 bucks in 08 everything was going great....It was time for new shoes so I went and got fitted for a pare of shoes which ended up to be Asics Kayano Gels after a couple of 5k's and then a 10k in these shoes I noticed really bad pain on both the bottom of my feet. So when it was time for a 1/2 thon in Long Beach in Oct. I took both my old shoes as well my new ones at the last minute I put my old shoes on (Avias) and broke a PR. I was stoked with no pain....when I arrived back in AZ I was told to research barefoot running, I did lots and started (5) 5k's and (1) 10k barefoot I felt great no pains what so ever...I researched shoes that are specific to barefoot runners as you develope a mid foot strike and found "Newton" Distance shoes. I started breaking them in slow with 1 -2 miles with no problems...then I ran a 5k in these shoes and after 2 miles I took them off and finished the last 1.3 miles barefoot. After this run is when the pain started.

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JamesJohnsonLMT

249 posts since
Aug 23, 2009

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12. Nov 16, 2009 5:56 AM

in response to: Gary Christian

Re: Pain on top of foot

Barefoot running - and Newtons with their metatarsal pads- require some muscular adjustment before you can put the hammer down. You need to allow time for your body to adapt to the change. Until that happens, pain can be expected.

Newtons are a revolutionary shoe that is very popular with the Triathlete crowd, particularly with elite runners. Barefoot running forces the midfoot strike as well, but too much change too soon means you will be using muscles that have been inactive until now. Give it time and you will adapt.

Meanwhile, look into the Vibram 5-finger foot gloves to give your barefoot running some protection.

http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/

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Gary Christian

5 posts since
Sep 29, 2009

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13. Nov 16, 2009 6:03 AM

in response to: JamesJohnsonLMT

Re: Pain on top of foot

Thank you James for the input much appreciated. I have already looked into Vibrams and it is my next purchase.

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D.Snipes

22 posts since
Feb 17, 2009

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14. Mar 1, 2010 11:57 AM

in response to: AngelaJC

Re: Pain on top of foot

Great link about shoe lacing around affected area!!

I have a similar pain (top of left foot) and after reading this thread I'm wondering if it's not a mix of the pedal strap on the stationary bike and my lacing. While my lacing hasn't changed in a year or two, the pedal strap has... I've started cross training more intensely to elevate endurance and avoid running injuries. Looks like my excessive upward pull on the strap might be the culprit for my foot pain. I'm going to remove the pedal straps and relace my shoes around the affected area and see if that doesn't clear up my issue.