Sports Injuries

When you experience ball of foot pain, it is likely caused by one of two main conditions—either metatarsalgia or sesamoiditis. Metatarsalgia is a condition characterized by tenderness and pain along the ball of your foot. When dancers experience this ailment, it often results from laxity and instability in the joints of the smaller toes.

Sesamoiditis is a common ailment caused by an irritation of the sesamoid bones found within the tendons that connect to the big toe. This condition has a gradual onset and increases from a mild ache to an intense throbbing. Sesamoiditis often results from an increase in duration, frequency, or intensity of your activity.

If you have been dealing with big toe pain and feel discomfort on the bottom of your big toe in particular, there is a chance it could be a condition called sesamoiditis. Embedded in the soft tissues under the main joint of your big toe are two little, pea-sized bones called the sesamoids. They give power and leverage to the muscles that bend your toe down. They also absorb pressure and distribute weight while standing or walking.

If you have pain here, it could be due to inflammation of the tissues around the sesamoids or a fracture of the bones themselves. Repeated stress on the foot from high impact sports such as running and dancing could lead to injury. After a positive diagnosis, we can offer several conservative treatment options such as anti-inflammatory medications, special pads, and shoe orthotics.

We don’t often think about our 10 little toes but they can sure grab our attention when they are in pain. Swelling is a result of edema, which is essentially a build-up of fluid. There are many reasons why you may experience a swollen toe or toe pain, which often accompanies swelling.

First, the duration and severity of the swelling will depend on the cause. If you bumped your toe in the night and injured it, the swelling is a response for healing. A broken or sprained toe will also result in swelling. Standing or even sitting for long periods of time can lead to an accumulation of fluid in your feet and toes.

Severe swelling or swelling that develops slowly and persists over time could indicate an underlying medical condition. If bleeding or signs of infection are present, that also warrants seeking immediate medical attention.

Whether the procedure is minor or major, foot surgery requires ample time for proper healing. Even when you can put weight on the foot and resume your activity, you should still be cautious to protect vulnerable bones and/or tissues during a workout.

When working out after surgery, avoid high impact activities and focus on stretching and strengthening exercises. Pilates and yoga provide gentle, easy movements that will keep your whole body fit while being safer for the foot or ankle that had surgery. Use an exercise bike with low resistance to maintain aerobic fitness. After incisions are healed, swimming is a great alternative workout. Progress slowly in any activity and monitor any pain or discomfort very closely.

It is normal to have some degree of swelling and discomfort after you have ankle surgery. The key to relieving this and healing your joint is to carefully follow all your post operation instructions. The sharp, acute pain should subside within a few days, but swelling and soreness may last for several weeks, depending on your individual situation.

Elevating the affected ankle above heart level allows the pooling fluid to leak back out of your tissues, instead of collecting around the joint, which minimizes swelling. Icing also discourages swelling, as well as helping to numb the pain. If you’re struggling with excruciating post-op joint discomfort after several days, don’t just wait and hope it will subside.

Anything that traps, compresses, or otherwise squeezes nervous tissue can be what causes pinched nerves in your body. Usually a traumatic injury, inflammation, pre-existing conditions like arthritis, repetitive stress, or weight gain cause some tissue to press against your sensitive nerves. The culprit could be hard bone or cartilage trapping the tissue, or soft connectors or muscles that are swollen and enlarged. The pressure causes damage and encourages your nerves to misfire, so you develop burning, aching, or pins-and-needles pain in your lower limbs.

A pinched nerve can be quite serious, so don’t ignore the discomfort and hope the issue will improve over time. When the sensitive tissue is compressed and limited for too long, the damage may become permanent.

A pinched nerve can cause muscle cramps and other painful symptoms in your legs, especially over time. Usually the trapped nerve is in your lower back, but can be in your leg as well. Then when you’re active, the compressed tissue causes an aching, burning pain in your legs that increases the more you use the affected limb. You may also develop muscle weakness.

Other factors, like dehydration, a lack of minerals and vitamins, and some pre-existing medical conditions also often play a role. If you’re experiencing frequent muscle cramps, or are concerned you may have a pinched nerve, don’t ignore the issue. Nervous tissue damage can become permanent if not addressed soon enough.

Many problems can result in a swollen toe. Traumatic injuries, overuse problems, infections, and other underlying medical conditions can cause inflammation and edema, or fluid build-up in the tissues. The specific cause of your toe pain and swelling depends on your unique feet. Standing or sitting for extended periods of time can cause minor temporary edema. If you tripped or kicked something and developed the pain, you probably damaged important tissues. Swelling with joint discomfort might be arthritis.

If you’re concerned about toe pain, have your foot fully examined. Underlying injuries or medical issues will need to be addressed to alleviate the problem and restore your lower limbs. Ignoring the issue is more than uncomfortable—it may allow an injury or potential infection to get worse.

The debate over the best running form has gone on for many years. The best way to run is a style that employs good posture, conserves energy, and avoids injuries. Maintain a relaxed, upright position without leaning forward or back, which can strain your neck and core muscles. Keep your shoulders and arms loose—don’t tense up and don’t clench your hands. Avoid twisting your body as you run, and don’t stretch your legs too far out with each step. Your gait should feel natural. As your running improves, your cadence, or number of foot strikes, should increase as well.

If you’re concerned about your running form, or have any foot or lower leg pain when you’re active, don’t wait for problems to develop or worsen.