Runners: More Foot Injuries that may Plague you!

Foot injuries in runners. Not listed in any particular order, nor is this list all-inclusive. 1. Plantar fasciitis - heel pain caused by inflammation of the tough fascia on the bottom of the foot, usually right where the fascia attaches into the heel. 2. Calcaneal stress fracture – an overuse fracture of the “heel bone” 3. Achilles tendon bursitis – inflammation of the bursa located at the attachment of the Achilles tendon to the heel. (NOTE: Although not defined as a foot injury there is also a separate condition involving inflammation of the Achilles tendon itself, higher up the ankle, referred to as Achilles tendinitis. 4. Extensor tendinitis – inflammation of the tendons on the top of the foot, usually midway along the foot. 5. Sesamoiditis -- inflammation of those tiny little free-floating “sesame seed” bones, which are located in the ball of the foot near the base of the big toe. 6. Metatarsal stress fracture – an overuse fracture of one of the metarsals. These are the long bones that start at the midway point of the foot and run right up to the base of the toes. There are 5 in each foot. 7. Morton’s neuroma – a condition caused by the chronic irritation of the interdigital nerve, usually between the 3rd and 4th metatarsals, near the toes. Runners often experience a “pins-and-needles” or “electric shock” pain. 8. Posterior tibialis tendonitis – this tendon passes underneath the medial malleolus (the inside “ankle bone”) and attaches into the medial aspect of the foot (navicular bone). Runners usually experience pain below the inside of ankle or slightly further along the inside of the foot. 9. Peroneal tendonitis – this tendon passes underneath the lateral malleolus (the outside “ankle bone”) and attaches on the lateral aspect of the foot (cuboid and base of 5th metatarsal). Runners usually experience pain on the outside part of the ankle or lateral edge of the foot up to the base of the 5th metatarsal. 10. Subungal hematoma -- bleeding underneath the nail from the chronically jamming the toe(s) into the shoe. Also may happen acutely if you drop something heavy on your toes(s). NOTE: This is just one type of toe condition – there are many others (e.g., ingrown nail). I just wanted to mention one so that the toes didn’t feel left out in the foot discussion. Should these and any other injuries persist, please do not hesitate to make an appointment with one of our Podiatrists at Advanced Foot & Ankle Center, Inc!!!!