Morton's Foot?

[jasmine]

yah thanks Oakleaf and thanks Knot I am determined to do all of Knot's foot exercises and recommendations re padding---i have gone to so many "professionals" who look at my feet and gasp and push surgery---so far this thread is the most helpful thing I have come across ever

[NbyNW]

i have gone to so many "professionals" who look at my feet and gasp and push surgery

That's been my experience, too -- I've basically been told (by podiatrists) that custom orthotics can be used to correct some of my mechanics and to slow down the development of my bunions, but I will probably need surgery someday.

I had asked about exercises for my arches was told that other than orthotics, there wasn't anything else to be done. Don't get me wrong, the orthotics have been great, but it seems that maybe exercise and stretching has not been part of the training of the podiatrists that I've gone to in the past.

Maybe in the future I need to consult a doctor or other professional with a different set of training/broader range of skills in this area. I'm not at that point right now, but I think it goes to show that it's important to really research the professionals that you consult, which can be tough if you don't even really know what you're looking for.

[jasmine]

Hey I just got a pair of Keen wool clogs--maybe they are called Hybrid's not sure--anyway they are far and above the most comfortable shoes I've worn for my poor achin feet in a long time! It's such a big deal for me to find shoes that feel good I thought I'd share

[NbyNW]

ooo, cool! I've had good luck with Keens, but I didn't know they made wool clogs! Time to start writing out my Christmas wish list . . .

[zia]

So I have an interesting post-script to this thread. During the course of this thread, my knee pain was nearly 100% eliminated by placing a small pad under my first metatarsal.

Well.

I have been upping my mileage to train for a half marathon, and was very worried after a 9-mile run. My right knee was in intense pain from 5 miles on, and I was concerned 13.1 just wasn't going to be possible.

Nonetheless, I scheduled a 12-miler with my running partner and crossed my fingers for the best. Right before the run, I decided to check the pads I'd put under my insoles, and -- lo and behold -- the right one was missing! I'd been fiddling with the shoes and forgotten that side. I put a new pad on, ran 12 -- at a brisk pace! -- and had no kneed pain at all, and felt great the next day! (Last August, pre-padding, my knees hurt so much I literally had to crawl up stairs after my first Olympic Tri.)

Maybe it was just my body adjusting, but, given my 20 years of fairly persistent knee pain, my bet's on the Morton's Foot diagnosis and subsequent insole changes.

Just thought I'd share.

[OakLeaf]

... I'll update too in case anyone's missed my posts from the general running thread...

I'm experimenting with barefoot running, just a weetie little bit so far. Between Knott's exercises, the hip exercises my own PT has me doing, yoga, and the muscle strengthening I got from putting the pads in my walking-around shoes... I started to feel like I was ready to try it. So far, so good, but just a little so far. With the marathon looming, barefooting isn't my #1 focus right now, but I'll continue to build.

Still, it's pretty apparent that all the cr*p people have been putting in my shoes since I was six years old has only exacerbated my problems. It's impossible to tell at 44 years' remove, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was starting to wear shoes that caused my problems to begin with. It's going to take a lot of work to undo 44 years of imbalances, but little by little.

[NbyNW]

Zia, that's so great that you've had such positive results with that little pad!

Oakleaf, hope the marathon training continues to go well.

I've been struggling a bit. I was pretty religious about doing Knott's exercises for about a month, and then we got really busy moving out of temp housing and settling in to our new place. I usually do the exercises 3-4x a day, but rarely 6. Definitely have increased flexibility in my met arches, especially on the right (not surprising, I'm right-footed, so that foot seems to work a little better).

Other things I'm doing: I work on the trigger points in my shins and calves when I'm watching TV or reading in bed. I've also added in that exercise where you scrunch up a towel using your toes and then push it away, just the toes. I try to do that a couple of times a day. I'm looking to find a balance board/wobble board so that I can add some ankle strengthening/proprioception work.

The barefoot running thing is intriguing but I thought I'd try barefoot walking first, so I've ditched the Birkenstocks I usually wear inside and try to be conscious of my foot posture as I move around the house. I've reduced my use of Rx orthotics and so far no problems. I've been keeping my feet warm this winter wearing Ugg clogs or snowboots, and my orthotics don't fit into either, so it's been great to have that option!