So I get these occasional flare ups (one every year or two) of tendonitis in my left foot/ankle area. It first happened about 12 years ago (I'm now 36) and at that time I was told by the doctor that all I could really do was sleep with my foot elevated and take Ibuprofen. The Ibuprofen really helps (800 MG form) but I don't take it unless the pain is very bad.
The really strange thing is I can ride the bike just fine with it and it doesn't hurt at all. UNLESS I've got to dab my foot or hike a bike then it feels like someone just hit the area with a hatchet:eekster: Anyone have ideas of how to try and heel a little quicker? Is it a bad idea to keep riding for the 2-3 weeks it takes to heal back up? Also, any idea how to keep the flare ups from happening? They just seem to come on for no apparent reason.
It can very a little bit...but it's usually at the top part of the foot (where the foot an ankle meet) and kind of works its way around my ankle. Hope that makes sense. Right now the pain is shooting to the outside of my ankle.
It sounds like the navicular is stuck. Your foot should have a nice spring to it, but when one or two of the joints get stuck they cause problems like this and plantar fasciitis. You may need to see either a podiatrist, PT, or chiro that does foot adjusting. It usually only takes a couple treatments. That will prevent it from coming back.
Interesting on the Gout. The first time I got this the doctor said Gout. The next time they said Tendonitis. I've often wondered if it wasn't Gout as my pain & symptons sound very similar to what others have described.
My doc wasn't sure at first, so they did a blood test. Long story short, they found elevated levels of uric acid, thus the gout in addition to tendonitis.
It sounds like the navicular is stuck. Your foot should have a nice spring to it, but when one or two of the joints get stuck they cause problems like this and plantar fasciitis. You may need to see either a podiatrist, PT, or chiro that does foot adjusting. It usually only takes a couple treatments. That will prevent it from coming back.
DOn't know about the names of the bones and all, but chiropractic (try to get a referral from somebody for a good one) and a serious reduction in sugar, caffeine and junk food in my diet has helped me greatly with tendonitis in my elbows and with back pain!!! That and MTBing. Good luck and keep us updated.
Naw, Otter. See another doc, maybe a really good podiatrist and get a real diagnosis and be very aggressive on it next time it flares up. Because... such tendintis, which seems like no biggie when you're young, can become quite deforming when you're old. This pain is your warning-- Do Not Want!
I had a battle with "posterior tibial tendonitis" about 2 yrs ago. A specific pain & swelling on top of my foot that throbbed all night, and I limped badly (ankle but more inside ankle & arch). This was precipitated by a specific injury-- I stepped crooked on a sharp rock during a hike-a-bike section, but apparently, and unbeknownst to me, my arches were progressively getting flatter and weaker, making my foot prone to such injury. Like you, I was fine on the bike, a cripple off-- even had to take time off work!
If (I say IF) your problem turns out to be similar to mine (yes, guys get it too) you can do special foot exercises to strengthen your feet & arches and then gradually "retrain" yourself to walk properly. For now, my advice would be to 1) Get a proper diagnosis, 2) Get fitted for custom orthotics, and 3) Maybe ditch your current mtb shoes for something more supportive. I had to leave Sidi Dominators, even though I loved 'em, and move to firmer Specialized's. I'm also veeery particular about my running shoes as I also work long shifts in them.
p.s. At first at night I slept with my foot simply elevated, then I got pro-active and started ace- wrapping it with a pad & arch support in place (my painful area). This seemed to help a lot. Good Luck to you.
To add to what LadyDi suggested.
Some things you can try-
Ice massage-massage until burning sensation occurs, stop until it goes away and start again. Repeat this about 10X
Stretching- plantar flex and supinate your foot manually to get a good stretch for about a 20 count 3-4X
Resistance exercises- going the opposite direction try dragging a wet towel across a floor seated with your leg still, heel firmly planted on the floor just using the lateral edge of your foot.
It may be a good idea to seek out a massage theripst that does myofascal trigger point work, not just any massage theripst you will have too seek out a good one with alot of experiance. I spoke with one about my foot issues and she described it like I had kniks that needed to be worked out, the problem may not be at the exact spot of pain but rather somewhere there is a restriction that could be causing this maybe in you're shin of calf. Or try some Yoga it can be the least inexpensive form of physical therapy.
Active Release Therapy might do some good also. But just use caution and make sure that you trust the Chiropractor if you don't feel right then back off and seek out someone else.
Also a good book I found was the Perminent pain cure By author Ming Chew. This is a good start and might save you alot of greef.
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