Mild pain at first metatarsal
January 29, 2015 11:47 AM Subscribe
I started running a few months ago, and have now gotten to the point where I can (slowly! gradually!) increase my speed and distance. About two weeks ago, I started experiencing mild pain at the top of the arch on my left foot, what I believe to be the first metatarsal.
It doesn't hurt while I'm running, or even after I run. I mostly experience mild pain the next day, and the pain is usually gone by the end of the day. But the next time I run, usually a day or two later, the pain is back.
From what I've read, it seems a stress fracture on the first metatarsal is unlikely, due to the larger size of the bone. I'm wondering what else this could be, and if indeed it is an injury, or just foot pain that comes with running.
My current plan is to stay off my feet for two weeks then try running again. But I'm wondering if I should visit my doctor. I'm a bit reluctant to get sucked into the cycle of referrals/Xrays/diagnoses just to be told to stay off my feet for a few weeks before I try running again.
For the record, I have health insurance, and getting time off work for appointments is not an issue. I realize you are not my doctor, and your opinion here does not constitute or replace medical advice.
Thanks!
It doesn't hurt while I'm running, or even after I run. I mostly experience mild pain the next day, and the pain is usually gone by the end of the day. But the next time I run, usually a day or two later, the pain is back.
From what I've read, it seems a stress fracture on the first metatarsal is unlikely, due to the larger size of the bone. I'm wondering what else this could be, and if indeed it is an injury, or just foot pain that comes with running.
My current plan is to stay off my feet for two weeks then try running again. But I'm wondering if I should visit my doctor. I'm a bit reluctant to get sucked into the cycle of referrals/Xrays/diagnoses just to be told to stay off my feet for a few weeks before I try running again.
For the record, I have health insurance, and getting time off work for appointments is not an issue. I realize you are not my doctor, and your opinion here does not constitute or replace medical advice.
Thanks!
Agreed with the above. Could be a soft tissue thing that will resolve itself with some ibuprofen and rest. But if it's an incipient stress reaction you will be doing good by staying off it - even more than a couple of weeks, as horrible as it sounds.
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 12:06 PM on January 29, 2015
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 12:06 PM on January 29, 2015
I am not a doctor or podiatrist, but I am a stupid runner and injure myself about once a year.
It might not be a stress fracture in the metatarsal, but it could still be a stressie. There are, like, a squillion tiny bones in the foot - in both of them, actually - and those little buggers can cause all sorts of issues.
A real stress fracture needs you to stay off it for 6-8 weeks (walking is fine, but no running). It might not be a stressie, so a few weeks may be sufficient.
The trouble with running is that your cardio improves dramatically faster than your bone strength. So early on in your running adventures you can feel like you are ready to take on a 10k run because you don't collapse in a sweaty, hyperventalating heap of regret anymore...but just because the heart and lungs say YES, your bones are still voting NO.
Following the 10% rule should help you build the strength appropriately. Only increase both weekly mileage and mileage for your 'long run' by 10% per week, and periodically give yourself an easy week, where you revert to a lower mileage (every 4-6 weeks should be ok). Your cardio may trick you into wanting to go further and faster, mine always does (see the fact that I get injured every year as proof) -- resist the temptation :)
posted by man down under at 12:52 PM on January 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
It might not be a stress fracture in the metatarsal, but it could still be a stressie. There are, like, a squillion tiny bones in the foot - in both of them, actually - and those little buggers can cause all sorts of issues.
A real stress fracture needs you to stay off it for 6-8 weeks (walking is fine, but no running). It might not be a stressie, so a few weeks may be sufficient.
The trouble with running is that your cardio improves dramatically faster than your bone strength. So early on in your running adventures you can feel like you are ready to take on a 10k run because you don't collapse in a sweaty, hyperventalating heap of regret anymore...but just because the heart and lungs say YES, your bones are still voting NO.
Following the 10% rule should help you build the strength appropriately. Only increase both weekly mileage and mileage for your 'long run' by 10% per week, and periodically give yourself an easy week, where you revert to a lower mileage (every 4-6 weeks should be ok). Your cardio may trick you into wanting to go further and faster, mine always does (see the fact that I get injured every year as proof) -- resist the temptation :)
posted by man down under at 12:52 PM on January 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
I had (something very like) that! Mine was a soft tissue thing which went away after about three weeks.
posted by dvrmmr at 12:52 PM on January 29, 2015
posted by dvrmmr at 12:52 PM on January 29, 2015
This could be a shoe fitting thing; maybe laced too tight? Or maybe you need orthotics if you underpronate. I would go to a good running shop and have them examine your gait on a treadmill.
posted by kinetic at 1:57 PM on January 29, 2015
posted by kinetic at 1:57 PM on January 29, 2015
Best answer: Hi, many-times-injured runner here. When training for the Chicago Marathon a few years back I had a funny little pain (mild and intermittent) in about this location. It was slightly in front of the ball of the foot, behind where the big toe joins. It almost felt like it was in the joint itself sometimes.
It turned out to be a stress fracture of one of the sesamoids. They're little tiny bones you probably didn't know you have. (I didn't.) Unfortunately, they have very poor circulation and can take 6 months to heal. I recommend resting for about 2 weeks and getting checked out immediately if the pain returns. Diagnosis will require an MRI. The treatment just involves wearing a dancer's pad on the affected foot, but you definitely can't run on it.
Anyway, best of luck -- this tiny fracture knocked out almost a year of my running.
posted by informavore at 4:17 PM on January 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
It turned out to be a stress fracture of one of the sesamoids. They're little tiny bones you probably didn't know you have. (I didn't.) Unfortunately, they have very poor circulation and can take 6 months to heal. I recommend resting for about 2 weeks and getting checked out immediately if the pain returns. Diagnosis will require an MRI. The treatment just involves wearing a dancer's pad on the affected foot, but you definitely can't run on it.
Anyway, best of luck -- this tiny fracture knocked out almost a year of my running.
posted by informavore at 4:17 PM on January 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks for all the answers here. I took a week off then ran on the treadmill tonight and my foot feels great. Thankfully it must've been just a soft tissue thing.
posted by slogger at 7:55 PM on February 6, 2015
posted by slogger at 7:55 PM on February 6, 2015
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posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:54 AM on January 29, 2015