Thread: knot in my foot

Hey Dancers,
My "good" foot isn't so good right now. When I walk, it feels like there is a lump under the ball of my foot-any immediate thoughts? If it persists, I will seek medical attention, of course.
Thanks!
Sandra

The same thing happened to me earlier this year except it was accompanied with a sharp, intense pain whenever I danced. I didn't go see a doctor but I switched over to wearing sport sandals ONLY (most of the time, they're horrendous and chunky and ugly looking too) and when I dance, I would wear Hermes sandals with a layer of foot cushioning from Scholl's made for the ball of the feet glued on (it's a bit tricky to assemble and requires a little bit of cutting so you can fit it around the toe thong of the sandal). But after doing that for a few weeks, the pain and the lump completely went away and I haven't had a problem since.

Not saying you shouldn't go see a doctor though! :) It just wasn't convenient for me at the time - I would've gone.

Morton's Neuroma
Metatarsal stress fracture
Plantar fasciatis
bone spur

Originally Posted by ssipes

Morton's Neuroma
Metatarsal stress fracture
Plantar fasciatis
bone spur

Yup! You've read my mind. ,f::

Qamar

Have you done anything lately that could be the cause of your problem? Do you dance barefoot on hard surfaces? It sounds like you've already made up your mind to go to someone if it doesn't get better!

But keep in mind not all diagnosis are 100%. I had been doing a lot of khallegy last summer and after our group danced on the hard rubber matting at the fair in August I have had lots of pain since. The ball of my right foot was swollen and felt like I walking on a 'pad' or 'bubble'. The first doctor I saw which was in Oct., Dr. Black, diagnosed me with Morton'sNeuroma , and he did no x-rays. In fact I had had my chiropractor ordered x-rays to rule out any fractures before I saw the podiatrist. Dr. Black wanted to do the alcohol injections but I had that uneasy feeling.

I saw Dr. Z another podiatrist in who gave me a completely different diagnosis - which is the joint in my second toe is inflamed and because of the bone structure in my feet, my big toe presses on the inflamed joint when I walk. It's going to take a long time to heal but had I not gotten a second opinion and gone ahead with the alcohol injections I would have killed the nerve in my third toe for nothing and still been in pain! So just remember to go someone good and if you have any questions, please seek a second opinion!

My heart goes out to you because I know how hard it is when you hurt and foot pain really does interfere with your life.

Originally Posted by ra-chell

But keep in mind not all diagnosis are 100%. I had been doing a lot of khallegy last summer and after our group danced on the hard rubber matting at the fair in August I have had lots of pain since. The ball of my right foot was swollen and felt like I walking on a 'pad' or 'bubble'. The first doctor I saw which was in Oct., Dr. Black, diagnosed me with Morton'sNeuroma , and he did no x-rays. In fact I had had my chiropractor ordered x-rays to rule out any fractures before I saw the podiatrist. Dr. Black wanted to do the alcohol injections but I had that uneasy feeling.

I saw Dr. Z another podiatrist in who gave me a completely different diagnosis - which is the joint in my second toe is inflamed and because of the bone structure in my feet, my big toe presses on the inflamed joint when I walk. It's going to take a long time to heal but had I not gotten a second opinion and gone ahead with the alcohol injections I would have killed the nerve in my third toe for nothing and still been in pain! So just remember to go someone good and if you have any questions, please seek a second opinion!

That's interesting... I wonder if there might be some relationship between the two conditions. I was diagnosed with a neuroma (not Morton's, but same idea) and did do the alcohol injections to kill the nerve. That nearly completely removed the pain in the ball of my foot and the stabbing pains that went up into my second and third toes. However, the middle joint of my second toe often aches and pops, and I know from x-rays that there's a little bone spur on the big toe side of that joint. What kind of treatment are you doing for your inflamed joint?

Sounds like when I had a stress fracture in the ball of my foot. Glad I went to the podiatrist.

Originally Posted by badriya_al_ahmar

That's interesting... I wonder if there might be some relationship between the two conditions. I was diagnosed with a neuroma (not Morton's, but same idea) and did do the alcohol injections to kill the nerve. That nearly completely removed the pain in the ball of my foot and the stabbing pains that went up into my second and third toes. However, the middle joint of my second toe often aches and pops, and I know from x-rays that there's a little bone spur on the big toe side of that joint. What kind of treatment are you doing for your inflamed joint?

That is great that the alcohol injections worked! I'm amazed at how many dancers have foot problems, I never noticed it until I had mine.

For now it's rest, ice and not going barefoot and trying not to put pressure on the balls of my feet. I had orthothotics from Dr. Black which helped but they squeek when I wear them and it's embarassing! .w.:
I found a Good Feet store and while they are pricey I have two pairs of their arch supports and love them. One pair I can wear with sandals and open toe shoes! And they fit into the dance shoes I just bought.

Good Feet - Sore or Tired Feet? - Your Arch Support Store

But I still use padding for the ball portion of some of my shoes. Also I bought a pair of crocs, something I said I would never do! But they are comfortable and I can wear them w/o the arch supports.

The Dr. I'm seeing now said it's something that does take a long time to heal and was due to repetitive use - for me that was dancing on bad surfaces and I do tend to dance more on the balls of my feet and not having good support. He has told me if I want I can have a cortizone injection but I had a flare from the one Dr. Black gave me so I'm holding off for now. He did suggest anti-inflamatory drugs but I can't take NSAIDs or asprin.

I had a MRI and x-rays so no fractures or neuromas. The good news is that it will get better, bad news is that I do have some arthritis in my big toe joint. I have problems with both feet but the right one is the worst, my left foot isn't too bad. As you know, it really impacts everything you do and dancing esp. I haven't danced since August and packed on some pounds. If all goes well I will do a 1 1/2 minute drum solo in two weeks at a out door event. Hey, a minute and half performance will be a step forward for me! ..l;,

Thanks. I think it might be a neuroma-I have a Morton's Neuroma in my "bad" foot. I'm watching it closely.

Originally Posted by SandraDances

Thanks. I think it might be a neuroma-I have a Morton's Neuroma in my "bad" foot. I'm watching it closely.

I sure wish you luck, that will suck if it's a neuroma since you already have that problem with your other foot. Keep us posted re: what you find out. I'll be sending good thoughts your way.

For those who have every day foot issues: get a small ball - golf or tennis - and roll it under you foot for a couple of mins a couple of times a day. This will help to relieve the stress on your feet. Also, if you have the toe stretchers (Yoga toes) made from gel, they feel great and will help to stretch your feet and relax any tension, etc you are holding.

{{{HUGS}}}

I had this same pain. Felt like there was always something in my shoe with pain shooting in my second toe that felt like an electric shock. Had an MRI and it comfirmed, I have Morton's Neuroma. The nerve is so swollen that there is now space between my 2nd and 3rd toe. Any suggestions on a good shoe to wear so I can still go to class and practice for shows coming up?

Thalia

Originally Posted by ra-chell

I saw Dr. Z another podiatrist in who gave me a completely different diagnosis - which is the joint in my second toe is inflamed and because of the bone structure in my feet, my big toe presses on the inflamed joint when I walk.

This can occur when:

• There's a bunion
• The transverse arch (the horizontal arch that runs across the base of the toes) has fallen

This link on my web site has some suggestions under the "Footwear and Dance Health" section: http://www.shira.net/costuming/feet.htm#Health

Things that help:

• Wearing shoes with a bit of padding in the sole. I think Aruba may be working on developing some sandals that contain this padding. Or, buy either her normal sandals or Hermes sandals and take them to a shoe repair shop to have a 1/4-inch layer of rubber put on the ball and heel part (leave the arch part either not-padded or make the padding thinner there) and then a 1/4-inch leather sole. See my web link above for a photo of a modified sandal - it's the photo that also has a cat in it.
• Do an exercise in which you take a small ball (you can use golf balls, or cat toy balls, or ping pong balls, or even a wadded-up piece of paper or tissue). Using only the sole of your foot, pick it up, then let it fall to the floor. Repeat 10 times in one sitting. Do a couple of times a day. This strengthens the muscles in the arch of your foot, which will help coax your transverse arch back into position. This is a long-term thing, don't expect overnight results.
• When your foot is upset with you, slather arnica ointment on the sore spot.
• Spend some time every day wearing foot alignment socks. (See that article on my web site for a photo of what I'm talking about.) Start with 10-15 minutes. Over time, try leaving them on longer, until you can leave them on a couple of hours without discomfort.

Thalia -

Capezio and Bloch both have good dance sneakers. I would recommend ones which lace up as opposed to the ones which either slip on or have the elastic laces. I would also take them to your Dr. to look at and see if they have any suggestions.

{{{HUGS}}}

Originally Posted by tahiradancer

Thalia -

Capezio and Bloch both have good dance sneakers. I would recommend ones which lace up as opposed to the ones which either slip on or have the elastic laces. I would also take them to your Dr. to look at and see if they have any suggestions.

{{{HUGS}}}

Thanks Tahira. Is there a style that you know of and perfer, there are so many and unfortunately, they all look horrid :)!!!

Originally Posted by tahiradancer

Thalia -

Capezio and Bloch both have good dance sneakers. I would recommend ones which lace up as opposed to the ones which either slip on or have the elastic laces. I would also take them to your Dr. to look at and see if they have any suggestions.

One important caveat on dance sneakers - it's very important to get the kind that have the smooth sole that can slide/pivot on the dance floor.

I didn't know this when I bought my set, and I ended up with a set that had a tread that "gripped" the floor. After one day of a workshop with Mahmoud Reda, my knees were in agony from all the torquing on the turns and Arabesques. It took 2 months for that pain to fully go away.

Originally Posted by *Shira*

One important caveat on dance sneakers - it's very important to get the kind that have the smooth sole that can slide/pivot on the dance floor.

I didn't know this when I bought my set, and I ended up with a set that had a tread that "gripped" the floor. After one day of a workshop with Mahmoud Reda, my knees were in agony from all the torquing on the turns and Arabesques. It took 2 months for that pain to fully go away.

I was wondering about this very thing when I read your post further up stating to take your sandals to a shoe cobbler for a 1/4" layer of rubber on the bottoms. Will they be able to install rubber that has good slip?

Originally Posted by Darbla

I was wondering about this very thing when I read your post further up stating to take your sandals to a shoe cobbler for a 1/4" layer of rubber on the bottoms. Will they be able to install rubber that has good slip?

The shoe repair guys add 2 layers to the soles of my sandals. The layer next to my foot is the original sandal. To that, they attach the quarter-inch layer of rubber. Then, the layer next to the floor is leather, not rubber. The leather, of course, has the ability to pivot. See the article on my web site that I linked earlier for a diagram showing how it all fits together.

I don't have any particular style I prefer. But I agree with Shira - get ones which are smooth or have a definite turn spot on them. If you have access to a dance shop, the sales person should know what I am talking about.

{{{HUGS}}}}