L Foot, Other
2006-08-20 – 2007-02-18
Grade: 2
Pain under the 1st metatarso-phalangeal joint. Worse with impact on hard surfaces, and at push-off from ball of foot; uphill running hurts more because of the increased impact. Sometimes hurts after running at rest, and any movement is painful for a couple of minutes.
8/8/12: Went to a sports podiatrist in Melbourne today, for some professional advice about how best to manage my big toe pain. Received quite a different assessment than a year ago at a local podiatrist, and very different advice. Young James told me there is a build up of extra bone on the edges of the joint, and this has been caused by impacts from running etc. He is making up new orthotics, and has recommended gluteal strengthening exercises, to strengthen these muscles and stop the twisty movement when I walk and run. He thinks this adds to the toe problem.
I don't know if it has recovered, but I've seen the podiatrist a couple of times and tried changing the profile of my sole, to take the impact off the sore part, but that hasn't helped. I breckon it's plantar faciitis, and am trying a stretch
suggested in a recent running magazine. It's not getting any worse. The final diagnosis for this pain is osteoarthritis.