My experience at the foot doctor

So on Thursday, I decided to go to an appointment to see the foot doctor.  I was referred by my running buddy, Kevin, who has used him before.  Not only is he a foot doctor, he's also a runner/marathoner, so I knew he would understand how I felt.

The first thing they did is a full X-ray of both my feet so he could see if there are any issues.  The nurse also took my blood pressure and pulse.  Both normal.  In fact, my pulse was 43 at that was after a day of work!  Yeah running!

Not my foot but looked like this

The reason I went in to see him is that I thought I was developing a bunion.  Fortunately I'm not.  In fact, he said that all my joints looks very good.  There was a small amount of arthritis and a small bursitis in my foot near my big toe but nothing to worry about at all and nothing to do for it.  The pain I've gotten has mostly been while at work and not when running.  Not once did he say to stop running.

He had a couple of solutions for me, some of which I took and some I didn't:

1) Ice the foot after runs to help ease any pain.  I don't really have any issues with pain unless it's longer distances(over 10-15 miles).  Even yesterday's run, I did over 12 miles and instead of pain, it was more annoying and it does not hurt during my run - only after.

2) Change my work shoes.  I wear wingtips to work daily that are not very foot friendly.  Read - tight toe box.  He actually suggested wearing these:

Brooks addiction walker

Now, these are motion control and I'm not sure I really need that part(except maybe for walking) but they have a wide toe box and I bought them and wore them on Friday and my foot didn't hurt at all, all day.  Of course, they don't go that great with a full suit on but I can get away with these for most days at work.

3) He suggested a Cortisone shot in that area.  He said it would be a one and done kine of thing.  I was very hesitant for this.  I didn't feet it hurt enough that I needed to get a shot for it so I decided to pass on this for now.  He didn't push it either.  I would also have been able to run the very next morning which I was surprised about.  He said it would feel like I got a tetanus shot.

So the next step is to wear the new work shoes, ice after longer runs and then go back and see him in a month.  He also wants to see my running shoes(little does he know I have about 8 pair in rotation) to see how they are wearing.  Of course, as a blogger, I review many different kinds so it might be hard to pinpoint the shoe that may have started any issues(if it even started there).  Every shoe I've tested(or are testing now) has a wide toe box which is my preference.

So as you get issues, do not fear seeing the doctor.  Look for one that is a runner.  My regular doctor(who happens to be my brother-in-law) was also a runner and got me into it.  I'm glad that I did go see him and didn't just let things go.  I think these changes will make a difference.  In fact, my foot is already feeling much better.

Have a great day and....Keep Running!!!!