Hi!
I have a story to tell, and many questions to ask. I hope this is the right forum.
I recently visited a podiatrist, who delivered a diagnosis that implicitly involved leaving minimalist/barefoot running and wanted to ask the forum about it.
The story: I have been running for over 1.5 years, and after an ITB I decided to try minimalist running. I bought a pair of Vibram FiveFingers and started my transition. Being the stupid I am, I ramped up too quickly and I ended up with an inflammation (I believe a metatarsalgia). I then decided to visit a podiatrist, mostly to check whether my pain was due to an inflammation of a stress fracture.
The podiatrist told me, in a nutshell, that my right leg is slightly longer than my left; because of this, walking has historically caused pronation and stressing my feet with minimalist running has caused the inflammation. He recommended the use of orthotics, which naturally sort of defeats the purpose of minimalist/barefoot running altogether. What has frightened me, though, is that his recommendation for orthotics was on a permanent basis Personally I don't like the idea of wearing orthotics, but his explanation made medical sense to me. My current plan is to use cushioned shoes until the inflammation stops, then re-start transition -- slowly this time.
The questions:
- is that a sensible plan?
- Should I abandon minimalist/barefoot running, or do I have a few chances of successful transition?
- Do you know of any success story with similar challenges?
- Are FiveFingers good for the situation, or are there more suitable shoes?
I really appreciate any information, for which I thank you in advance.
I have a story to tell, and many questions to ask. I hope this is the right forum.
I recently visited a podiatrist, who delivered a diagnosis that implicitly involved leaving minimalist/barefoot running and wanted to ask the forum about it.
The story: I have been running for over 1.5 years, and after an ITB I decided to try minimalist running. I bought a pair of Vibram FiveFingers and started my transition. Being the stupid I am, I ramped up too quickly and I ended up with an inflammation (I believe a metatarsalgia). I then decided to visit a podiatrist, mostly to check whether my pain was due to an inflammation of a stress fracture.
The podiatrist told me, in a nutshell, that my right leg is slightly longer than my left; because of this, walking has historically caused pronation and stressing my feet with minimalist running has caused the inflammation. He recommended the use of orthotics, which naturally sort of defeats the purpose of minimalist/barefoot running altogether. What has frightened me, though, is that his recommendation for orthotics was on a permanent basis Personally I don't like the idea of wearing orthotics, but his explanation made medical sense to me. My current plan is to use cushioned shoes until the inflammation stops, then re-start transition -- slowly this time.
The questions:
- is that a sensible plan?
- Should I abandon minimalist/barefoot running, or do I have a few chances of successful transition?
- Do you know of any success story with similar challenges?
- Are FiveFingers good for the situation, or are there more suitable shoes?
I really appreciate any information, for which I thank you in advance.
