Foot Pain

[angelabhhs]

I have been training for a race that is 2 weeks away and last week I started feeling pain in my left foot on, I think, my second metatarsal; but near my toe. I haven't really increased my mileage or workout schedule. However, I play softball as well and I recently purchased a new pair of cleats. The cleats were a little big and the entire game they were aggravating my foot. When I got home I decided not to run because of the pain. When I woke up the next day, there was a significantly large bruise on the top of my foot right where the cleats were aggravating it. However, the pain persisted for a few more days but not at the area of the bruise. My second metatarsal has been in pain ONLY when I run. (Not when I walk, play softball, rest...) I am concerned that this pain is NOT from my new cleats afterall and may, in fact, be a running injury. If someone has any input to what could be wrong I would GREATLY APPRECIATE IT! I have a huge race coming up and I have been training so hard for it and I don't want to have to sit it out :(

[DrJim]

It is possible you have a chronic soft tissue injury, either a tendon or possibly a ligament which has been strained or more severely, partially torn. Pending on the type of support in the shoes, some styles have more pressure on the metatarsal-phalangeal joint regions than others. This in itself can lead to aggravating an already inflammed situation. The other possibility is a stress fracture. Typically these do not show up on X-ray for 2-3 weeks after the injury. I would suggest to try 3/4 length arch supports which have a firm support, not just foam to help off-load the metatarsal head region. If the pain persists, I would see a podiatrist for evaluation and possible X-Rays.