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Big toe / first and second metatarsal pain during heel raises?

Posted , 4 users are following.

billstein22
billstein22

Hi everyone - I started doing physio for what my doctor believes in posterior tibial tendonitis.  One of the exercises my PT has recommended is to do heel raises.

I've noticed a really bad pain in my first and second metatarsal area - and to some extent my big toe - when I do the heel raises.  I'm currently doing them with both feet at the same time to avoid putting undue pressure on my feet at this point.  But I almost feel like I can't even do them because of the dull pain it causes.  I tried them yesterday, and today my first/second metatarsal region is very sore -- and not in a good way (it's a dull pain!).

Any suggestions for how to address this?  Should I do these exercises in shoes only?  Is this a symptom of something else I might be dealing with?

Thanks

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • ivy97
    ivy97 billstein22

    Posted

    Yes, wear shoes, which will give you more support. But also go see an orthopedist/ podiatrist as you do not want to be setting yourself up for further injury.

  • jp66967
    jp66967 billstein22

    Posted

    If tibialis posterior tendonitis is suspected the heel raises will worsten the condition and possibly cause that tendon to rupture. An ultrasound examination will confirm the posterior tibial tendonitis.

    I would recommend a foot-and-ankle orthopaedic surgeon, not a podiatrist.

  • billstein22
    billstein22

    Posted

    Thank you both for responding.  I will definitely wear shoes.  My toe/ball of foot is still very sore, unfortunately.

    I have been seeing a foot-and-ankle orthopaedic specialist.  I got an MRI of my foot and we found a small morton's neuroma.  The posterior tendonitis was diagnosed based on symptoms such as tightness in calves, ankle area tenderness, and pain that spreads throughout my arch during activity only.

  • jp66967
    jp66967 billstein22

    Posted

    Where was the Morton's neuroma?
    • billstein22
      billstein22 jp66967

      Posted

      Between the 3rd and 4th webspace in my left foot.  It's pretty minor but had been bothering me over the past few months.  Now the pain along my inner arch / big toe is most debilitating.  But overall, there's pain from metatarsals all the way down to medial arch (no heel pain, though).
  • jp66967
    jp66967 billstein22

    Posted

    It is unlikely that removal of the "Morton's neuroma" will assist your major problems.

    Was pathology shown in the plantar fascia on the MRI?

    As I have come to understand it you have a complex (multi-component) problem, difficult for me to fully cover on this site.

    You are welcome to write a "PL" (private letter) via this site.

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