Hi everyone,
need some words of wisdom and advice since I am experiencing a very annoying issue. I have run barefoot or in VFF for more than one year. Ca. 6 weeks ago or so, after some sprints while wearing Huaraches, I suddenly started feeling something wrong in the upper part of my big and second toes (left foot). Specifically, I begun having an unspleasant, burning sensation running from the top of my foot down to the toes: I just thought that, in search of speed, I was stupidly pushing with my toes, and those were just symptoms of a "regular" TOFP.
Actually, I was expecting some issue to raise sooner or later, because my left foot, calves and ankle are rather "tight" (I also have a slight hammer-toe condition) due to a number of ankle sprains occurred when I was a kid that really left a dent.
Based on past experiences (had TOFP to my right foot last summer), I expected significant swelling and pain also when walking (and even resting). Instead, everything turned appartently OK just a few minutes after, and I had no symptoms in the next days.
I was reassured and went running again. However, after a few km the issue came suddendly back. Actually, it's more of a bad, annoying sensation (like a burning string that's going to snap) rather than real pain. Sharpness of this feeling seems to depend on the surface I'm running onto, and it becomes excruciating when running downhill (simply, I have to stop and walk).
Funny, as soon as I stop running the feeling goes away almost immediately.
When I tap my TOF I feel a sort of (light and superficial) electric shock down to my toes, but I feel confident in ruling out stress fractures. When running, the bad feeling may climb up to the outer part of my ankle.
I nearly mauled my lower leg (front and back) in search of TPs, which helped a little. During a run, I occasionally stop and rub my calves and peroneal muscles, which gives me a transient relief before the problem gets back.
I also tried to change my gait, which helped as well, by pointing my foot outwards and therefore increasing foot pronation (I'm an oversupinator). I may add that, when I was running with regular shoes, the same toes turned numb until I took my shoes off - no pain however.
Yesterday I went running after a week of rest and Ibuprofene. I was not expecting a full recovery, still I was rather disappointed when I realized that there was no amelioration at all. I have a feeling that all starts when my calf muscles become tired and tighter, but it's just a guess.
When I tried to ask around for advice, the only reply was: "get a pair of good shoes", which is far from my intentions. Any feedback and/or suggestion from you guys?
Sorry for the long post and my bad italian-english...
Best,
Luca
need some words of wisdom and advice since I am experiencing a very annoying issue. I have run barefoot or in VFF for more than one year. Ca. 6 weeks ago or so, after some sprints while wearing Huaraches, I suddenly started feeling something wrong in the upper part of my big and second toes (left foot). Specifically, I begun having an unspleasant, burning sensation running from the top of my foot down to the toes: I just thought that, in search of speed, I was stupidly pushing with my toes, and those were just symptoms of a "regular" TOFP.
Actually, I was expecting some issue to raise sooner or later, because my left foot, calves and ankle are rather "tight" (I also have a slight hammer-toe condition) due to a number of ankle sprains occurred when I was a kid that really left a dent.
Based on past experiences (had TOFP to my right foot last summer), I expected significant swelling and pain also when walking (and even resting). Instead, everything turned appartently OK just a few minutes after, and I had no symptoms in the next days.
I was reassured and went running again. However, after a few km the issue came suddendly back. Actually, it's more of a bad, annoying sensation (like a burning string that's going to snap) rather than real pain. Sharpness of this feeling seems to depend on the surface I'm running onto, and it becomes excruciating when running downhill (simply, I have to stop and walk).
Funny, as soon as I stop running the feeling goes away almost immediately.
When I tap my TOF I feel a sort of (light and superficial) electric shock down to my toes, but I feel confident in ruling out stress fractures. When running, the bad feeling may climb up to the outer part of my ankle.
I nearly mauled my lower leg (front and back) in search of TPs, which helped a little. During a run, I occasionally stop and rub my calves and peroneal muscles, which gives me a transient relief before the problem gets back.
I also tried to change my gait, which helped as well, by pointing my foot outwards and therefore increasing foot pronation (I'm an oversupinator). I may add that, when I was running with regular shoes, the same toes turned numb until I took my shoes off - no pain however.
Yesterday I went running after a week of rest and Ibuprofene. I was not expecting a full recovery, still I was rather disappointed when I realized that there was no amelioration at all. I have a feeling that all starts when my calf muscles become tired and tighter, but it's just a guess.
When I tried to ask around for advice, the only reply was: "get a pair of good shoes", which is far from my intentions. Any feedback and/or suggestion from you guys?
Sorry for the long post and my bad italian-english...
Best,
Luca
