Foot pain - six injuries over last eight years

**nikkiv** · 03-13-2011 08:40 PM

I have had problems with my right foot since I was pregnant with my son eight years ago. I somehow fell of my deck step (which was only about an inch or so off the ground) onto all fours and could not bear weight on it. It swelled, turned black and blue and took several weeks to heal. I then re-injured my foot when I was pregnant with my daughter. Again I could not bear weight, this time it only took half the time to heal. Over the next 5 years I injured my foot another 4 times......including my current injury which occurred about a month ago. After the third injury, I under went 2 months of physical therapy. Last year (injury #5) it was discovered that I had a pinched nerve between my toes. I had a cortizone shot that lasted for a little while, but I am again having that issue. I am also having pain in my heel, along the outside of my foot and up the left side of my upper ankle. I am in physical therapy again, but am still in as much pain as I was a month ago. The orthopedic surgeon I saw 3 weeks ago put me in a plaster cast for 2 weeks to immobilize my tendons, but when the cast came off the pain was worse. I am at my wits end - I do not want to spend a month in a walking cast each year. I want to play with my kids and not worry about getting hurt. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions anyone can offer.

**Seeker_Advice** · 03-14-2011 11:52 AM

How disciplined are you? Be honest....

There are many exercises you can do to strengthen the muscles (few) and tendons (many) found in the ankle and foot.

They take time, they take committment, they take effort and most of all DISCIPLINE (as in, doing them everyday, once, twice or more, the right way).

You will need to work both your foot and ankle in order to maximize the benefits.

**WildChild** · 03-14-2011 12:01 PM

What kind of shoes are you wearing? Over supported muscles get weak but you do need time to strengthen them. Many "fashonable" shoes are a disaster for a woman's body. Get out of heels if you haven't already. Have the therapist really examine your alighnment, not just your feet but your hips, back and really entire body. You maybe actually walking out of kilter. Also get your vision and hearing checked, problems there can result in accidents due to balance or not really seeing where you are.

Check out Classical Stretch for balance, flexibility and strength. A flexible person is less likely to sustain an injury when they do fall. We start to lose our balance reflexes in our early 30s and need to actively work to keep them. Having good balance reflexes can prevent a lot of accidents.

Educate yourself about your feet and legs. I suggest the book, Barefoot Running by Sandler

Good luck with this

**nikkiv** · 03-14-2011 06:14 PM

I'm very disciplined, and thanks for your response.Honestly, I'm a very motivated individual at this point I will do anything to get better,however, I have just started PT last week and have not been given any type of exercises as of yet. I work full time and a mom, just trying to be a normal 37 year old who would like to play with my kids and work out. Right now I have to rely on my husband to drive me to work on a daily basis. I just want this pain to end.

Thanks,

Nikki

**nikkiv** · 03-14-2011 06:20 PM

Thank you so much for the book suggestion, I'm willing to try anything to stop the pain. I will talk with my PT tomorrow about my alignment.

Thanks,

Nikki

**Seeker_Advice** · 03-14-2011 08:23 PM

There are several good stretches and exercises you can do. However, with that being said and you going to PT, I think it is best that you do what your PT suggests and read the book that WC suggests. As I would hate to suggest anything that could be perceived as counter productive with your PT.

**jaaee** · 04-18-2011 10:52 AM

1. That's really sympathetic. I also have a feet problem it like legs out of energy but I found out that correct footwear that can help me good. I wish you get well soon. Fighto Fighto

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