04-10-2015, 09:32
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#1
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Asset
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Fort Bragg, NC
Posts: 4
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Flat Feet and SFAS
Short version: I'd like to hear your experiences with flat feet and plantar fasciitis and how/if you managed any and all of it.
Long Version: I went to Podiatry today (the only snag in my SFAS physical) where I was told that my right foot is extremely flat, causing weakness in the ankle, and as a result, run a severe disadvantage and slight risk if I want to attend SFAS. I'm fine with a disadvantage, people with flat feet get selected all the time I'm sure. But I'd like to hear ways I could possibly minimize risk of injury and as work on pain management if at all possible.
I've been prescribed custom orthotics, but the Doc was sort of a downer, saying while it wouldn't really help, it would keep it from getting worse. However, he did say he was going to do everything he could to help and even ordered a CT scan to get a better look. Nonetheless, I appreciate his overall medical expertise.
I have a feeling I'm going to end up sucking it up and dealing with it, which is fine.
Anyway, back on track. Have you known anyone with flat feet issues bad enough to affect the way they ruck/run? How did they manage it? Any tips?
Thanks for your time, gentleman.
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AtAllCosts is offline
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04-10-2015, 09:43
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#2
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Location, Location
Posts: 4,000
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I've had flat feet all of my adult life.
I succeeded in-spite of this because I didn't know any better.
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The two most powerful warriors are patience and time - Leo Tolstoy
It's Never Crowded Along the Extra Mile - Wayne Dyer
WOKE = Willfully Overlooking Known Evil
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MR2 is offline
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04-10-2015, 16:19
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#3
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 20,929
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MR2
I've had flat feet all of my adult life.
I succeeded in-spite of this because I didn't know any better.
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Don't listen to him, the pain centers in his brain have been rewired to "enjoy the suck"......
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Team Sergeant is offline
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04-11-2015, 09:31
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#4
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Deep South
Posts: 936
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I have had flat feet all of my life. Like MR2, I guess I just didn't know any better. In the last decade plus I have had knee and SI joint issues as a result of some of the joint instability caused by flat feet. For the last four years I've worn custom orthotics. What your podiatrist says about them preventing further damage is true. And at 58, it's all about preservation.
But I would go a step further and say it has resolved most of my knee issues and I no longer have SI joint problems. I no longer run more than 3-4 miles, but I no longer hurt afterwards. The brand I have is called "FootLevelers." I really wish I'd gone this route sooner. Good luck!
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Beef is offline
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04-13-2015, 07:02
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#5
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 377
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I was told that my feet are so flat that I would not have been a draft candidate during previous wars.
I managed to make it through SFAS on the first try. I _did_ have a stress fx on the final march, though... And I have had occasional problems with achilles tendonitis...
No one is perfect. I've had plenty of teammates with bad backs, bad knees, etc...
Train smart.
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RichL025 is offline
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04-13-2015, 07:59
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#6
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Asset
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Fort Bragg, NC
Posts: 4
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A 20k ruck through rocks and sand is causing me some real pain today. My right ankle feels like it took a sledgehammer hit.
But, like Rich was saying, I could probably train a little smarter. Maybe I could ramp up to that sort of distance and terrain over the course of a few months. Maybe that'll ease the pain a bit.
Also, my custom orthotics haven't come yet. I have it ingrained in my mind that it's going to fix all my problems, and while I know that's unreasonable, maybe it'll create a placebo effect.
I don't know the ruck distances and how often they occur in SFAS, but if it's anything like I suspect (15k - 20k movements daily), then I could be in trouble.
I appreciate the wisdom gentleman. Thanks for your time.
-Mike
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"Do your damnedest in an ostentatious manner all the time. -George S. Patton"
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AtAllCosts is offline
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04-13-2015, 09:25
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#7
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Free Pineland
Posts: 24,780
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You are probably as young and fit as you are ever going to be.
By the time you are 35, you will not be able to ruck with any real sort of weight.
Speaking as an old guy, I cherish my experiences, but wish I had taken a little better care of my body when I was younger, and at least skipped the stupid / abusive stuff. There is the "weakness leaving your body" hurt, and there is the "you are breaking something important" pain. Sometimes, you learn the difference too late. Don't wear yourself out too soon, you will have the rest of your life to live with the consequences of your choices.
Rolling an ankle and breaking down in the Hindu Kush in the middle of a firefight is not going to do your teammates, or your situation much good.
Best of luck.
TR
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"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." - President Theodore Roosevelt, 1910
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The Reaper is offline
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06-23-2015, 14:09
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#8
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Asset
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Fort Bragg, NC
Posts: 4
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Just a small update.
Been training with my custom inserts for about two months now. I will never train without them again as long as I can help it. Most, if not all, pain in my right ankle has stopped, my blister count has decreased to almost a point of non-existence, and my running form (which was visually relative to a penguin high on bath salts) has self-corrected, shaving entire minutes off my times for my five mile and a full minute off of my two.
Maybe it's a placebo effect, maybe it really did help... I just feel better. If you're preparing to go and you're on the edge about orthotic inserts, do it. You will not regret it, and it's well worth the effort. You take care of your body and your body can take care of you. I see that now.
I appreciate your wisdom gentleman, I really do. Thanks for what you do.
Back to PT.
-Mike
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"Do your damnedest in an ostentatious manner all the time. -George S. Patton"
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AtAllCosts is offline
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06-23-2015, 15:37
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#9
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: In transit somewhere
Posts: 4,044
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AtAllCosts
Just a small update.
Been training with my custom inserts for about two months now. I will never train without them again as long as I can help it. Most, if not all, pain in my right ankle has stopped, my blister count has decreased to almost a point of non-existence, and my running form (which was visually relative to a penguin high on bath salts) has self-corrected, shaving entire minutes off my times for my five mile and a full minute off of my two.
Maybe it's a placebo effect, maybe it really did help... I just feel better. If you're preparing to go and you're on the edge about orthotic inserts, do it. You will not regret it, and it's well worth the effort. You take care of your body and your body can take care of you. I see that now.
I appreciate your wisdom gentleman, I really do. Thanks for what you do.
Back to PT.
-Mike
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Having your feet properly aligned physiologically will realign everything up stream, good inserts like Superfeet have saved many an injury to SF guys over the years.
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Too many people are looking for a magic bullet. As always, shot placement is the key. ~TR
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