View Full Version : Question about the way my foot pronates
I was in a cast and a cam boot for roughly 3 months for a broken 3rd metatarsal. I started to get back into running recently and it seems like alot more pressure is on the outside of my foot when I walk and run(overpronate?) Before I got injured I had no such problem. My question is, can being in a cast change the way a person's foot pronates?
Can you clarify the problem you are stating so we might assist you?
Overpronation
As with the "normal pronation" sequence, the outside of the heel makes the initial ground contact. However, the foot rolls inward more than the ideal five percent, which is called "overpronation." This means the foot and ankle have problems stabilizing the body, and shock isn't absorbed as efficiently. At the end of the gait cycle, the front of the foot pushes off the ground using mainly the big toe and second toe, which then must do all the work.
A cast can change the way a person's foot pronates BTW.
My foot doesn't seem to roll inwards like the other. It seems to be more on the outside. Could it be the foot instinctually trying to avoid putting pressure on the broken bone?
Amato, Years ago, while on active duty with the Navy, I broke the 5th metetarcel on my left foot. I was in a walking cast for a quite a while. I remember that it took me some time after the cast had come off to even be able to walk normally, which maybe a result of walking with a cast ( it forces you to limp). The human foot is pretty complex and it can take awhile, even after the bone has healed and the cast has come off, for it to recover 100%. depending on how long ago your cast came off, it may be that you are still getting used to walking/running without it, and it may be best to take things slow.
On the subject of Pronation, My feet do exactly what Doc described. I have always had this condition and thought that I just had bad knees. When I got into backpacking, I asked one of the guys that works at my local hiking store, who does alot of backpacking, about a good cushioning insole. After making me take off my shoes and socks and sit and stand, he told me why my knees were hurting and reccomended insoles by a company calles Superfeet. They were a bit pricey, but I went for it. I was absolutely amazed. I wont say that they were miraculous, Im sure there are other insoles out there that do the same thing, but I noticed a dramatic decrease in soreness in my knees within a few days of regular use. Especially after going any distance with weight. I reccomend them to anyone looking for a supportive insole. (the ones I got are really bright green, I guess the models are color coded, I dont really know what differences between them are though.
if this has gone too far off topic, please move or delete
Amato-
You are not an over-pronator, instead you are a supinator: your foot rolls (or places increased pressure) on the outside of your foot as opposed to over pronation, where (as Doc said) the foot rolls inwards.
In either case, over- or under- pronation (supination) will hurt not only your foot but also your knees, hips, and eventually back if not dealt with.
The best solution (this coming from a sports doctor) are orthotic inlays with good cushioning, and running shoes / boots with strong ankle/arch support.
The only reason I am commenting here is because I have suffered from over-pronation for most of my life; and my father suffers from supination (under pronation). As such, we have been in contact with numerous sports doctors, podiatrists etc.
Solid
Solid: My lowerback started to hurt a little when I ran yesterday, I might have been limping and maybe that would have caused the lower back pain. I never had this problem before untill I was put in a cast. Is there a way for my foot to go back to normal.
I really think you need to see your Physician about this sooner rather than later before you do something really bad.
I like to talk about medicine on the board but I don't want to practice it via the internet.
With that said, good luck to you. Tell us what your Doc said and how he will remedy it for you. We all want to learn something here.
Take care,
Doc
Alright, thank you. I will try and make an appointment with the pediatrist that was seeing me. I figured I should figure this out before I head out to the Q Course, because if not it might turn ugly.
A Podiatrist will make you some orthotics, you can see an orthopedic doc, and he'll say, "yep your messed up." and then send you to a physical therapist.
One of two things is going to happen.
1. You'll get an appliance or a coritizone shot from a Podiatrist.
2. You'll go to a physical therapist.
Save time, go to a therapist. I've had really bad foot and lower leg (not the knee) problems over the last few years. You get the most results from Physical Therapy.
A Podiatrist will make you some orthotics, you can see an orthopedic doc, and he'll say, "yep your messed up." and then send you to a physical therapist.
One of two things is going to happen.
1. You'll get an appliance or a coritizone shot from a Podiatrist.
2. You'll go to a physical therapist.
Save time, go to a therapist. I've had really bad foot and lower leg (not the knee) problems over the last few years. You get the most results from Physical Therapy.
NG_M4_Shooter,
Thanks for you advice.
Amato,
Go see a M.D. and get yourself taken care of before you go too far with this.
Well I just got back from the podiatrist. Come to find out my foot didn't heal exactly as planned. Doc said it is ok where it is, but what happened was the 3rd metatarsal healed erect so the ball isn't alligned with the other ones so the 2nd and 4th are picking up the slack of the 3rd. They gave me some insoles with a metatarsal pad. Its not very comfortable, kind of like walking around with a rock in your boot. Ill wear this for a bit then they'll probably transition me to an insole that is less extreme. It didn't really make my day when I found out its still a bit fucked up. I have a follow up on the 27 July. Hopefully can get this taken care of before I start the Q Course(18 Sept).
Doc.
I've already been to an M.D., had an MRI, X-Rays, and Bone Scans, saw two Orthopedic Surgeons, and a Podiatrist. I've had, coritisone, appliances, and surgery. Finally I was sent to a physical therapist.
Of all of the things I did or had done to me, the physical therapy provided the best results. I've been after this for some time. Granted my affliction isn't the same as Amato's, but its similar. Its from that perspective that I offered my comments.
Another quick question. My guy who works at the Brace shop only gave me 1 set of insoles. As my last post says, they are just some BioSole-Gel Thinline insole swith a metatarsal pad. These will only fit in my boots and not my running shoes, they are to small and slide around to much. The only problem with my foot is since the 3rd metarsal grew in straight instead of curving downwards, the ball does not line up with the rest. If I take a pair of Sole insoles and heat/mold them, do you think that should be good enough for my running shoes? I was thinking it might work the same as the metatarsal pad, taking pressure off the 2nd and 4th metatarsal by giving the ball of the 3rd something to come down on. I come off profile in a week so Im going to need something soon.
Amato,
With all the same caveats as in my first post, I would highly advise firstly following Doc's sage advice and seeing an MD, and then go and get a set of precision carved (not heat molded) inlays- at least one cut to fit your boots and another cut to fit your running shoes.
The difference between heat-molding and carved inlays is that the carved ones are a) sturdier and b) more closely follow the necessary curves to make sure your foot 'steps' in the right way. Heat-molding is good but given the amount of activity you will be expecting, you'll need something better.
This is not something, as I'm sure you already understand, that you can afford to "go budget" on.
Good luck,
Solid
Well I already saw the Doc, but I have to wait to go back to get the proper insoles. I need something temp to put in my running shoes so I can run because my profile ends on the 30th and the next time I see the doc isn't until July 27th