|
Post by jackiesmith on Apr 15, 2009 8:37:04 GMT
Hi all, im new to this forum but would welcome some advice as I'm a 3rd year student...
A friend of mine is complaining of mortons neuroma symptoms and wants some advice as she has Tresco marathon in 1.5 weeks. I'm going to see her tonight and will have a look at her foot. She is working all hours at the minute and can't get to a Pod...
She says she has had the pain for a few months, although she recently changed to wider shoes and it has eased slightly. She now rates the pain as 4-5 out of 10. She thinks she'll be able to finish the marathon but expects the foot pain to trouble her..
If this is a neuroma, would the closeness of the marathon in 2 weeks affect your treatment? Would a met dome (ie. a couple of layers of bevelled semi-compressed felt) suffice as a temporary measure, which she could remove if it was too uncomfortable? Im guessing she is tapering her running now so won't really have much opportunity to get used to anything.
Although i'm not yet qualified, I was wondering whether it would be better to do something to relieve the compression on the nerve as a further pounding of 26.2 miles may make it worse? Or should i leave well alone?
Your thoughts and advice would be much appreciated,
Jackie
|
|
|
Post by Martin Harvey on Apr 15, 2009 18:39:13 GMT
Hi Jackie,
how sure are you its a neuroma? Tried getting Mulder's click or getting them to stand on tip toe?
Anyone considering running 26.2 miles with the level of pain you describe with an undiagnosed condition is..... unwise, to say the least. If I was in a face to face with one of my sporty patients I would use more descriptive terms to them.
Perhaps if they can find the time to train regularly and run 26.2 miles they may just be able to find the time to get it properly diagnosed.
Good luck with your studies.
Cheers,
Martin
|
|
|
Post by twirly on Apr 15, 2009 21:55:56 GMT
Hi all, im new to this forum but would welcome some advice as I'm a 3rd year student... A friend of mine is complaining of mortons neuroma symptoms and wants some advice as she has Tresco marathon in 1.5 weeks. I'm going to see her tonight and will have a look at her foot. She is working all hours at the minute and can't get to a Pod... She says she has had the pain for a few months, although she recently changed to wider shoes and it has eased slightly. She now rates the pain as 4-5 out of 10. She thinks she'll be able to finish the marathon but expects the foot pain to trouble her.. If this is a neuroma, would the closeness of the marathon in 2 weeks affect your treatment? Would a met dome (ie. a couple of layers of bevelled semi-compressed felt) suffice as a temporary measure, which she could remove if it was too uncomfortable? Im guessing she is tapering her running now so won't really have much opportunity to get used to anything. Although i'm not yet qualified, I was wondering whether it would be better to do something to relieve the compression on the nerve as a further pounding of 26.2 miles may make it worse? Or should i leave well alone? Your thoughts and advice would be much appreciated, Jackie Hi Jackie, Only my thoughts. Here goes. First & foremost you should (as a student) firstly be conservative in giving a diagnosis (albeit to a friend) prior to qualifying from your degree. I do not wish to appear to be over zealous in this approach but unless you have examined this patient within the guidelines of your university boundaries then it is unlikely you are insured. Only a cautionary word but I would be inclined to advise that you should recommend the patient seek advice from a qualified Podiatrist prior to attempting further activity. Even the best intentions/advice may be slightly ambigious & potentially lead to further problems for you. Personally, I was always advised at college that until you qualify your insurance (even though advice/action given was in friendship) is not in place. Advise to see an authorised clinician. Only my thoughts. Good luck in your studies. Mandy.
|
|
|
Post by TimVS on Apr 15, 2009 22:03:10 GMT
The key statement here is 'she has had it for a few months'. So I assume she has been training through, or with, the pain. So how is the pain affecting her running? If she has been training normally she is possibly up to near marathon distance by now. So if she has been able to cope up until now she may manage the complete distance at a slower than planned for pace. May not be a show stopper. 1.5 weeks so she may have one more long run to do then tapering for the big day. Deflective padding or strapping may help at this stage. Emphasise the onus is on her and make her aware of the risks, the pros and cons if she continues.
As Twirly said, don't get in over your head here. She may cause herself significant injury if she continues; or she may not. It's her call not yours. Send her to someone with sports injury knowledge who can give her appropriate advice and tx. If she is serious about doing a marathon she should find the time to see someone about it.
Hope she makes it.
Tim
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Apr 16, 2009 6:45:24 GMT
Hi Jackie, and welcome. In the absence of a positive diagnosis you/she should also consider stress fracture of one of the metatarsals (common), an avulsion fracture of some sort (happens) and tumour (much less common, but can still occur). She needs to obtain professional advice. Oh, and not run 26+ miles until sorted out. At best she will collect some sponsorship money (if its that kind of marathon), put in a poor time, and not really enjoy the run. At worst she may cause real damage which may require surgery to put right. Hope this helps. Regards,
|
|
|
Post by jackiesmith on Apr 16, 2009 8:07:44 GMT
Thanks everyone for your replies. You have all echoed my sentiments that she should make time to go and see a podiatrist before attempting such a long distance! I won't be offering any diagnosis or treatment, this was more of an exercise for myself to help my learning (think i was a bit over zealous in my last paragraph - I wouldn't actually have attempted treatment myself ;D ). I might have a sneaky look before she goes though to see if I would be along the right lines with a diagnosis etc - but don't worry I'll keep this to myself and won't talk to her about it Cheers, Jackie
|
|
|
Post by billliggins on Apr 17, 2009 17:35:50 GMT
"Runners Are Nuts". Direct quote from Steve Subotnik aka The Running Foot Doctor who had a great claim to the fruitcake label himself. If (s)he is running through that amount of pain for 26 miles then you can do little to help but advise diagnosis/treatment as referrred to above. I did do some work with athletes in the past (including the Sheffield World Student Games) and my strong advice is to give them as wide a berth as possible unless they are fully compliant (they won't be).
Unless they need something cut off or out (not their brains, they all need that), I now prefer to leave sportsmen and dancers to the good offices of D.Holland, T.Vesey-Smith, M.Harvey and R.Isaccs, all of whom are far more avuncular and patient than I!
Let us know what happens.
Bill Liggins
|
|
|
Post by TimVS on Apr 18, 2009 10:01:59 GMT
Now now Bill, We runners are wonderful warm fuzzy people once you get to know us. Looking forward to this year's London Marathon. A whole day fixing busted runners. Excellent!!
|
|
|
Post by Martin Harvey on Apr 19, 2009 20:12:32 GMT
Note to Robert re: Bills mention of Steve Subotnick; he also practices Homeopatttttt............ (Subotnick - not Bill) ;D ;D
Martin
|
|