What is wrong with my foot and how do I find a running shoe?

December 17, 2023 11:08 AM

What is wrong with my foot and how do I find a running shoe? I’ve tried every brand and type of running shoe at every store near me and they all hurt in the same way. My right foot feels great in a variety of shoes. My left foot always hurts - specifically, there is an area about the size of a quarter in the middle of the arch of my left foot that always hurts when I am running. I have been to the fancy running stores multiple times and stood on their foot analysis machine and tried every shoe in every size while the clerk watched me run. They say I have normal feet and my running looks good. Stability shoes seem a little better but don’t fix the issue. I don’t have the problem with other shoes in my daily life and I walk a lot with no issues in many different brands of shoe, both sneakers and business shoes. The pain seems exclusive to running and running shoes. What is going on with my feet? What are some additional steps I could take to diagnose and treat this problem? (I’m mid-40s male, 230lbs, and usually us size 11.5, if it matters).
posted by TurkishGolds to Health & Fitness (14 answers total)

What are some additional steps I could take to diagnose and treat this problem? (I’m mid-40s male, 230lbs, and usually us size 11.5, if it matters)

If you can afford it or have insurance, visit a podiatrist and have them take a look at your foot and perform a proper gait analysis. Like me, you're at an age where your arches start to collapse, so you might benefit from custom, medical-grade orthotic inserts.
posted by Beardman at 11:33 AM on December 17, 2023 [12 favorites]

I went to the podiatrist when I was 9 because I couldn't walk, and have been wearing custom orthotics since, so would heavily recommend it if you are able to.
posted by yueliang at 11:34 AM on December 17, 2023 [1 favorite]

Sounds like plantar fasciitis, I get it too. I’ve found the most effective thing is stretching, and rolling a spiky ball. Some examples here.
posted by rodlymight at 12:07 PM on December 17, 2023 [3 favorites]

Could it have anything to do with the surface that you're running on?
posted by tomboko at 1:08 PM on December 17, 2023

Podiatrists that I've interacted with seemed very strongly inclined towards mechanical interventions. I'd recommend working through foot exercises for a solid month or two before trying any inserts. Running puts more intense strain on the muscles in your foot. It's worth it to try and strengthen your feet.
posted by andythebean at 2:11 PM on December 17, 2023 [2 favorites]

Physical therapist.
posted by matildaben at 2:48 PM on December 17, 2023 [4 favorites]

Have you tried shoes without arch support in them? I would suggest you try completely flat shoes (inside and out, that is: foot bed and sole). That and these exercises fixed my plantar fasciitis. IMO, orthotics will add fuel to the fire.
posted by dobbs at 3:36 PM on December 17, 2023 [2 favorites]

Possibly a Morton's neuroma?
posted by Dashy at 5:02 PM on December 17, 2023 [1 favorite]

Came to second plantar fasciitis.
posted by DarlingBri at 7:21 PM on December 17, 2023 [1 favorite]

I get something similar when I run for long distances and my current theory is that it's the beginning of a hot spot/blister that rubs on the running shoe insole but never enough to actually blister because of the location. I've been using Chamois Buttr (antichafe) on it before I put on my sock, and I wear fancy double layer socks from Runderwear because of other blister issues. This helps.

Like you I have never had this issue with non-running shoes. I've been fitted for running shoes, and I don't think I have plantar fasciitis or other foot issues besides being very prone to blisters.

Is your left foot shorter or longer than your right foot? It's possible that your shoes fit your right foot well but are just slightly off for your left foot.
posted by Red Desk at 7:59 PM on December 17, 2023

Shoes won't be a silver bullet. It'll be boring things like flexing your toes and stretching each day to loosen up the tightness and/or healing the things causing tightness which help get you running without pain. You may also need to give more days between runs to recover -- spend the time working on strength and flexibility -- or to run on trails and grass but not paved roadway.)

Check with a professional, that sounds like my plantar bundle, aka plantar fascitis, being tight and needing me to flex my toes to use all my foot and to stand with my core muscles, way up at my hip, all turned on and working. You may need to add core strength and whole-body flexibility work (and probably physiotherapy exercises) to your training schedule because the rest of your body needs to work well for hips, knees, ankles and feet to be pain-free while running.
posted by k3ninho at 1:42 AM on December 18, 2023

This definitely needs a professional to investigate. It's not a regular running shoe issue.
posted by TheophileEscargot at 8:44 AM on December 18, 2023

You have a broken bone. Probably a greenstick fracture of the 3rd metatarsal.
posted by at at 12:40 PM on December 18, 2023 [1 favorite]

It's not the shoes. Go to a podiatrist who focuses on working on physical therapy-like interventions (if you can find one), or a physical therapist, or maybe both.
posted by bluedaisy at 12:50 PM on December 18, 2023