 Advice please, since starting walking a few months ago, each time i go i experience intermittant pain in my feet (mainly,the base of my toes), Just wondered if anyone else has experienced similar problems and if there are any suggestions which might help? I'm comfortable with the size and fit of my boots, and have tried taking Nurofen as suggested by my Dr. but it doesn't seem to help...
|
 |
 I haven't had pain where you have described, but it could be a footbed problem.
Which boots do you use, and more importantly, do you use a "special" insole? Also how far do you walk and when does the pain arise?
When you went to the doctors did he/she check for pronation problems?
(I'd give the "superfeet" range of insoles a close look.)
|
|
 I suffered dredfully with aching feet because although I had bought the most comfortable pair of boots I could find at the time, the ones that most other walkers I knew at the time were wearing.The drying room on the coast to coast were full of Brachers They were in fact totally wrong for me. My particular problem was that they flexed too much when I changed to a pair of Scapas which are more rigid my feet were fine. I have recently tried to get away with a lighter pair of Salomons (nice and dry)for the summer and again I am having trouble with my feet.So its back to the old Scapas which unfortunately leak like seives and always have, but I will have happy if very wet feet.
|
|
I should also have put in a vote for Super feet insoles as I have used them for years.
|
|
Alex, I am wearing Lackner boots, but do not have any 'special' insole. I'm not exactly sure of the distance of the walks (but they include, Cadair Idris Horseshoe, and Snowdon- via Crib Goch. So I am walking for several hours.
My doctor didn't find any pronation problems.
The pain starts quite quickly, whether i'm walking 'uphill or down' but does ease at times a little when the pressure on my feet changes.
I think as you say maybe i should give a special insole a try...
Thanks for your suggestions.
|
|
Hmmmmmmmm...maybe as Bryan says, they are a bit too flexible for you and for the type of walks you are doing. I'd really recommend a chat to someone who sells Superfeet, (The cotswolds staff were really good when I had problems ages ago...) And have a look at the superfeet website. <\a>
|
|
Hello Susie - c'est mois Messieur Smartypants, Baga Smartypants et je is very well pleased to reply to a damsel in distress.
Bojour Mesdame. Nah then, foot feet pain about the base of the toes?
Hmmm <sound of gears crunching>
Engaging memory mode <engaged>
Feet are brilliant things - without them our ankles would get a lot of wear and tear.
And the Doc says "... take iboprufen ... " is a case of treating the symptom rather than looking for a cure (sorry Doc)
Part of the natural aging process is to loose collagen from those pad-like pads on the sole. So, is it surface active? eg blisters?
Does the pain seem to come from "inside" the foot? If your boots flex at the wrong point for your feet you will get problems too - with or without surface damage to the soles of the feet.
I hope this helps Susie
Au'voir
<|:-)
|
|
 I'd strongly recommend a visit to a podiatrist, he/she will be able to tell you if there is something specific wrong with either your feet, or if its a problem with your footwear.
Should cost in the region of £20 (ish) and will be well worth it, I assure you.
Hope that helps.
Si(C)
PS Welcome to the forums!
|
|
I would definitely second the recommendation that you go and see a podiatrist.
Mine not only sorted out my feet but told me that if ever I have any problems with my knees or back to go and see him first because often these are a result of foot problems.
|
|
Yep - spot on Joy (and a big baga welcome to you too)
If it is medical, it has a medical solution. Tinkering about with this that n t'other might actually make matters worse and drain one's resources too.
The more I think of it the more I am convinced it is a flex point problem. And if it happens with one pair of footwear well it sounds like the first thing to do is bin the footwear.
Silly as it seems dodgy footwear can cause lloads of problems - it was the main reason why Clarks kiddies shoes ruled the roost.
I must say it is great to see so many contributers contributing contributions - welcome to each and evely one of you.
After all, the forum is what we collectively make it...
<|:-) big nice baga
|
|
 Haven't heard of Lackner before (maybe Im just not well-travelled enough). Would be quite usefull to have a description of the boots and in particular the sole unit.
The sole of a boot tends to define whether it's going to work for you as it is mainly responsible for the flex point, stiffness, strike cushioning and how much the boots rock forwards as you walk (sure there's a technical word for that but it has escaped me).
It only takes a badly cushoined sole with the flex point in the wrong place to routinely hammer the bottom of the toes into the ground and of course that's going to be a lot worse if the "ground" in question happens to be rock.
|
|
Susie - have you (I'm assuming you are going to ditch the boots) tried (I haven't tried 'em yet) Altberg?
I called into the shop in Richmond and they have a fantastic service If I had spondoolies I'd have placed my order there & then. Altberg have an almost bespoke boot fit & build service and I'm dyieng (dieing? diing??) enthusiastically wondering what their finished products are like...
Trouble is - order now, delivery Christmas hey-ho
beeg baad bahgah
<|:-)
|
|
|
|
|
it sounds better if you say it with a big base voice (lassies can add that husky-base element too)
altogether now:
beeeg baaad baahgaah
<|:-)
|
|
 I'd back the sports podiatrist route before you start buying new boots. I don't know where you are, but there's a specialist based in Settle in the Dales who specialises in walkers. He advertises in the back of Trail. There's plenty of others though. If you have a local running club or gym / leisure centre, try asking if they can suggest someone local to you.
|
|
 Susie, without wishing to be too specific, it would be helpful if to know your rough age and weight - I'm assuming that neither of these will be too great if you went over Crib Goch though...
You mentioned the pain came on with walking - does this mean that you are pain free during normal daily stuff, and especially when you get out of bed? It sounds like you have metatarsalgia to me, the treatment for which is paracetamol, brufen and adequate foot support with a decent insole. However, there's also Morton's metatarsalgia ( an intedigital neuroma) which gives gradual onset with walking of an excruciating pain and is due to nerve abnormalities that may require minor surgery to cure. There are other possible problems though, so I would definitely echo the advice about seeing a good podiatrist. And definitely don't throw your boots away - a decent pair of insoles may cure them.
|
|
Firstly, may I just say a big 'thank you' for your overwhelming response to my question, and especially Baga's lovely welcome :-)
Anyway, the boots - Lackner Lady Softwalk, suede and nubuck upper, Sympatex lined with dual density Vibram sole (do I sound like an expert or what?)
However, I think this might be a little irrelevant as I've suffered a bit with the afforementioned problem 'on and off' for some years now and can occur at anytime, regardless of footwear.
I'm giving serious thought to what Ben has suggested (34, 5ft 4", 9st BTW). If it's of any help the pain tends to be localised to the base of my toes and yes, I do sometimes feel discomfort first thing in the morning prior to any excercise!
Jon, I have taken your advise and will make an appointment to see a podiatrist, there's a training centre local to me (Chester) who work on a donation only basis.
Once again, thanks :-)
|
|
 Coo, could you give me any details of the Chester place you mention Susie, please?
|
|
Oh and Ben's a doctor so he knows what he's on about, as opposed to us armchair experts!
|
|
Dan, it's 'Cheshire school of Chiropody and Podiatry' and it's on Northgate Street almost opposite the Odeon cinema, a few doors down from 'Great Outdoors'(where my b/f works).
The opening times are a bit 'iffy' so I suggest phoning first - 01244 301246
|
|
