Barefoot and inflammatory arthritis

Wobbler

Barefooters
Apr 11, 2014
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I have a mild form of inflammatory arthritis, I haven't had a bad flare for 9 years. However my ankle (left) is most affected- permanent swelling, weakness and pain. My running gait is cumbersome as I find it hard to roll from heel striking through that foot- I tend to slam the foot flat with each strike. I have calcifications in the back of the ankle which cause some tendon issues when I try to stretch the lower calf area. However, I can walk very comfortably on my forefoot, in fact this is how I choose to walk until my anti inflammatory kick in first thing in the morning.

So, is barefoot running a definite no? I'd like to try to see if I can build up the foot strength to see if it helps the ankle pain. I do think that my current 'foot slam' run can't be good for my back etc and while I have pain when I run anyway, it may well just be a case of it hurting somewhere slightly different with barefoot running.


I'm struggling to find any literature regarding arthritis and barefoot running. My consultant here in England said I shouldn't be running at all (but then he's not a runner) and was incredibly surprised when I explained I'm actually running London Marathon on Sunday having had a very successful training period throughout the winter!

Any advice very much appreciated...obviously information leading me to successfully trying barefoot running is more appreciated than a flat 'no, no way' ;)
 
Well, lots to address here, but I'll be brief. No. No, way.

Just kidding, Wobbler. Welcome to the forum. Certainly there is a ton of anecdotal evidence that shows people with all kinds of damage can transition and successfully run barefoot. You already run, so you may as well learn to run with less impact on your already inflamed joints. You struggle to find literature because there probably isn't any. I'm not going to address your arthritis and foot/ankle condition from my computer.

I will say that your foot slam isn't a good thing! There is a lot of books that will help you get started with an easy transition. I got started with Jason Robillard's "The Barefoot Running Book" a few years ago. Michael Sandler has a book called, believe it or not, "Barefoot Running", and there is the book by Ken Bob Saxton called, wait for it, "Barefoot Running Step by Step". "Born to Run" is required reading of course if you haven't read that yet. That one's a good story even if you aren't a runner and contains the most important piece of running advice ever: "Easy, light, smooth, and fast".

The most important thing is to go slow and listen to your body. If it hurts, stop. You can start today by heading out for some barefoot walking, and continue doing that as you plan and work your transition. Spend some time on this forum reading too. There is tons of info here, literally hundreds of years of barefoot experience.

Best of luck, and keep the forum informed of your progress.
 
That is a perfect reply, Andrew. Thank you so much! The way I see it, I haven't got much to lose. I may end up injured after trying but I do end up injured from running in my other trainers. It's the way my body is.

I shall certainly keep you informed and read, read, read. Thank you.