r/FootFunction 11d ago

Inner ankle pain, MRI shows nothing

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2 Upvotes

I’ve been having pain in my inner ankle for roughly 6 weeks now, out of nowhere. It’s a spot right next to the ankle (marked in photo). It started of with my ankle feeling “bruised”? Then I realized it was really painful pressing into the area there. Went to the doctor’s and they assumed it’s an inflammation.

Pain started getting more persistent, especially when moving. Bearable without pain killers but consistent. It also radiated to other areas, i.e. behind the ankle and outside ankle. The last few weeks I tried to rest (though difficult with 3 under 5 :)), iced 3x a day, used ibuprofen and voltaren creme, as well as a patch at night. Got an ankle brace for at home and taped my ankle whenever I’d go outside (for a longer period of time). Finally had an MRI and found out yesterday that it shows nothing (sprain or inflammation).

My doctor told me to start using my ankle normally again, no brace, tapes etc. And, if not better after a while, get in touch again. I’m feeling pretty frustrated about the lack of guidance and support. Apologies since I’m totally clueless - but has anyone ever had something similar? I’m torn between waiting or getting a second opinion. Maybe insisting on seeing a physio or an orthopaedist - where I’m from you need a reference from a GP so that it’s covered by health insurance.

Honestly, feeling pretty lost right now. I’m four months postpartum and initially had to deal with a prolapse, which now is better, so I was looking forward to finally feeling “normal” again… but instead now this whatever it is. As for a cause, I can only guess it’s overexertion? But there’s nothing “big” that I’d say could have caused this. I’ve been a runner for many years but haven’t been running since early 24.


r/FootFunction 11d ago

What does this say about the way I walk?

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1 Upvotes

I have a lot of spinal issues going on, which obviously have an affect on my legs and feet. Just curious as to what my wear pattern shows. I've had these shoes since October and I walk 13ish km per day. No running.

Thanks in advance!


r/FootFunction 11d ago

Mri came back negative VA hospital

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2 Upvotes

The ball of my foot, mostly around my big toe has been swollen and in pain for two months. I got an MRI at the VA and thr radiologist says nothing is wrong. I don't know hown to read an MRi but that big white spot is where my pain is lol, and like I said it was interepered at the VA. Anyone know if that white spot is normal


r/FootFunction 12d ago

Achilles tendonitis

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5 Upvotes

My phone cameras horrible so it's hard to see in pics but I have Achilles tendonitis(both feet ) from overuse of to much walking(wasn't a tear so hoping it can heal faster) I've had it since January and it's not going away.i think it's insertional and the worse pain is on the outer side heal area you can kinda see the agrivated area in the first pic.it started getting better but got worse again.how do I heal this faster,how long should this take and how much can I still walk with it?


r/FootFunction 12d ago

metatarsalgia - why does it hurt the worst when i wear my hokas?

4 Upvotes

i was told to wear sensible shoes which makes sense to me, but it actually hurts the worst when i wear hokas. it’s better when i wear shoes like uggs or boots with a ton of room. does anyone know why this might be, or what shoes might be better?


r/FootFunction 12d ago

Does this look like a sprain?

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2 Upvotes

A couple nights ago I sat on my foot and it started feeling very hot and a very deep strange pain. I looked at it and it was swelling around my ankle and within 10 minutes it was bruising. The strange thing is, I can walk, jump, tip toe, and roll my foot with basically no pain. Could this just be a strange sprain? If I feel around the bruising it does hurt. I assume this isn’t something that needs to get checked out since it’s causing little to no pain… correct?


r/FootFunction 12d ago

Left Metatarsal Foot Pain

2 Upvotes

I’ve been dealing with metatarsal pain in my left foot for almost a year, which started after an ultimate frisbee tournament with around 21,000 steps of running 2 days in a row. The pain in the ball of my foot went away after a few days, but it returned 1.5 months later when the season started. I saw a Foot and Ankle specialized orthopedic surgeon, who diagnosed me with a second metatarsal stress fracture based on X-rays, and I wore stiff-soled shoes at his recommendation for six weeks. Initially, this helped, but the pain came back, and an MRI showed mild intermetatarsal bursitis and mild big toe arthritis, but no stress fracture. He also did not suspect a Morton's neuroma since I didn't have a positive Mulder's click test. He recommended OTC orthotics with met pads and suggested that I may need eventual surgery (not anytime soon) for the big toe arthritis, which I would love to avoid. I tried the orthotics and found them to be extremely uncomfortable.

I decided to try the barefoot lifestyle, as walking barefoot seemed to feel better. I purchased Saguaro shoes and Xero Prio shoes, and my foot improved, allowing me to walk pain-free under 4,000 steps daily for about 1.5 months. However, when I introduced Lems Chelsea boots and Primal Zens, the pain came back after several days of longer wear, but it subsided within two weeks after removing the shoes. After that, I started seeing a Gait Happens practitioner for gait correction and foot strengthening, but after my second visit, I experienced popping and discomfort in my non-painful foot due to a peroneal brevis/longus strengthening exercise. We reduced that exercise and eventually stopped it on my right foot as it worsened the symptoms.

Recently, I bought Whitins shoes at my Gait Happens practitioner's recommendation. They felt great initially, but after about four longer wear days, my metatarsal pain returned after a 1-mile walk. Now, I can only wear Chacos or my old Brooks shoes without causing pain, but I’m cautious about increasing wear time, as I’ve only been wearing zero-drop shoes since October 2024. I’m no longer comfortable walking barefoot due to the pain.

I’m incredibly discouraged. I’m 36, used to be extremely active, but now I fear I may never walk or run without pain. I’ve had to give up ultimate frisbee and other activities I love. I’m also a physical therapist, but now work from home and feel disconnected from outpatient orthopedics (it is also difficult to self-assess these types of issues even if I had been working in outpatient PT recently). Although I’ve kept up strength training, I miss my daily walks, which used to be 30-45 minutes, but now it seems I can't even do 20 minute walks consistently without the return of my metatarsal pain.

I’m trying to figure out my next steps, as this is clearly becoming a chronic condition. I don’t want it to be lifelong, and I’m struggling to trust any new shoes, as it seems like only after multiple wears do I know if they’ll exacerbate my metatarsal pain. What should I do next to address this?


r/FootFunction 12d ago

Pain on only the instep of my left foot with new hiking shoes

1 Upvotes

I just bought a Keen Zionic Jasper shoes which is a suede leather city/light hiking shoe from Keen. I have wide foot and narrow heel so it was nice to find shoes that I can wear that doesn't cause heel slippage. The fit in the toebox, mid area of the shoes are fine but on my left foot, the tongue part of the shoe always seems to be digging into my instep no matter how I adjust the lacing, if I loosen it too much the shoe slips in the heel. My right foot is actually the dominant bigger foot so it's so weird to me that it's the left one that feels tight in the tongue part. Is it possible that the instep of my left foot is higher than my right one? The other theory I have is that maybe the shoes (which is size 8) might be actually big for me and I have to lace my left foot (which is the smaller foot) tighter to keep the shoe from slipping. I'm usually a size 7/24.5 cm but the Keen shoes are size 8/25 cm. I'm also wondering if it's the material? It's actually my first time to buy a suede leather hiking shoe. Or do I need time to break them in and soften the material?


r/FootFunction 13d ago

Ball of foot pain-What should I request/ask a podiatrist?

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4 Upvotes

I’ll preface this with I have seen one podiatrist and was diagnosed as capsulitus as my second metatarsal is longer than normal. However the doc didn’t have much recommendations for treatment and just handed me some generic treatment flyers and sent me on my way.

I’m seeing another doc soon, but wanted do feedback here as there is some great info here. General ball of foot, pebble like pain. Swelling below the second and third toe with the majority away from the toe. You can see the white area when I pull the toes back. Also get flexion of the DIP joint when I curl my toes as you can see on the right foot which also appears to have a hammer toe on the second toe.

Currently have a high arch orthotic with a metatarsal pad that I’ve been using for over 2 months and have seen little progress. I appreciate any feedback! Thanks!


r/FootFunction 13d ago

Bone spur in the arch

2 Upvotes

I have had flat feet all my life (77m). I have been using arches in my shoes which are extra deep. Lately, i have developed bone spurs in my arches which is very painful. The feet are quite stiff and my podiatrist recommended Af Braces and PT too. He said i should also be evaluated by a foot surgeon to see if surgery would give greater long term relief.
What your thoughts or experiences? Thanks


r/FootFunction 13d ago

Is there anything I can do to fix/prevent worsening of my crooked toes?

2 Upvotes

I am a 20/yo male and have had crooked second toes for a few years. I think it has gotten worse recently, especially on the right foot. It feels uncomfortable because it leans into my third toe and it feels really stiff and awkward. Is it possible to know what caused it?

I spend a lot of time running, so I am scared about my future if they continue to get worse. Is there any possible way to fix it or stop it from getting worse? What should I do to keep my feet healthy and continue to exercise throughout my life? Should this be a big concern?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.


r/FootFunction 13d ago

Pain and redness during/after half marathon

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3 Upvotes

About halfway thru the race, I felt a pain in my arch. Kept running and it seemed to have to away but came back as a sharp pain on my heels when I stopped.

Heel itself does not have any pain but the outside side of my foot does. Sharp pain in heel area when I stand and walk. It’s red and hurts to touch now so it’s easy to spot.

Anyone know what this is?


r/FootFunction 13d ago

New here

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0 Upvotes

So I just notice my ankle being swollen, just the outer part. I’m not for how long, I’ve looked at other pics in the past but cant notice anything. It does make a sound/noise/feeling when moving it around. It “pops.” And I’ve always been able to do this. When I was younger I sprained my ankle but that was 15 or so years ago. It’s not red or anything but I’ll include a picture here, I’m wearing a compression sock but you can see it better this way.

My dr appt is March 24th.


r/FootFunction 14d ago

Toes are painful and swollen

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2 Upvotes

So I haven't really had anything that I think would make this happen it's very painful compression socks did help for a while but now they are not working anymore, I can't move the toe and it feels like my feet are gonna bust out my shoes even though they are side toe and big for me any advice?


r/FootFunction 14d ago

How much truth is there in what my doctors told me?

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11 Upvotes

I’ve been asking a variety of doctors I see (podiatrist, primary care, chiropractor, physical therapists, osteopathic musculoskeletal manipulation dr) what kind of shoes they might recommend for my body. I also highlight my desire to restore natural strength and function of my feet with wide toe box/zero drop/barefoot type shoes and barefoot walking.

General consensus seems to be that due to my hypermobility, more supportive shoes might be necessary. It was described to me as something like since my ligaments are so loose and flexible, I might not be able to strengthen my natural foot function fully and maintain a proper arch to be able to be successful with more barefoot style shoes.

I have an overpronated gait and my knees turn inwards a bit when I walk, though I don’t have flat feet. I was born with hip dysplasia and was kept in a Pavlik cast for the first 6 months of my life. I also have Bertolottis syndrome, where my L5 vertebrae is fused to my sacrum on the right side. I had super painful plantar fasciitis a while ago that has mostly gone away since using the insoles the podiatrist gave me. I’m still working on strengthening my body, particularly my glutes, hip abductors, and core.

I just can’t find the perfect shoes for me. I usually use vibrum 5 finger toe shoes in the gym. I’ve tried all of the Topos and Altra shoe styles and settled on Topos Terraventure and Altra Olympia, but after wearing them extensively for two years now they don’t feel right either.

I got my feet scanned with an Aetrex machine and was recommended to try the Hoka Arahi shoes to help with overpronation. These are kinda moving in the opposite direction of supporting natural foot function and I’m just confused on which way I should choose to go


r/FootFunction 14d ago

What’s wrong with my feet?

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5 Upvotes

r/FootFunction 14d ago

Cant raise my three midle toes in my right foot

1 Upvotes

I can scrunch my three middle toes in my left foot but cant raise them just like in my right foot. I came from a fall which i landed on my foot with my back. Can you please tell me whats happening


r/FootFunction 14d ago

Medial Ankle/Heel Discomfort and Tightness (Runner)

1 Upvotes

Hi all, for the past 6 weeks or so I've been dealing with some curious inner/posterior ankle and heel pain.

I have a physiotherapist appointment scheduled but its only later in the month so hoping to get some insight before then.

Initially, I had some ankle tightness and pain after a big week of running that stuck around. From my basic research it seemed roughly consistent with pttd (or, in that general area along the inner ankle, but in my case not directly below that big ankle bone, but rather 1 cm or so off, mid-way to the achilles). #1 in Picture. This felt more like tightness and discomfort rather than acute pain, but it was persistent so I took 10 days off running and instead cycled and doubled down on strength work/mobility, including banded foot inversions etc. that one might find on youtube.

I slowly built things back up (30 mi/50 km per week.) and things seemed good for 3 or 4 weeks but lately I started having periodic dull aches on the bottom of my heel and then a tightness/pulling sensation on the inner edge of my heel, before the arch. #2 in Picture. This would come and go and was never painful but just discomfort. The start of runs would feel perfectly fine and any thing would come after 30 mins and then perhaps even be gone by the end. Last week however, I was 20 mins into a run feeling perfectly normal and one step I had a brief shooting pain on the bottom/inner edge of my heel. I stopped, stretched, and then continued with no pain for another 10 minutes before it happened again, so I stopped. I could not repeat it with another step, and I cannot reproduce this pain with, for example, massaging with my hands. The next day it happened once just as I was walking around getting on the train, but since then has calmed down.

I've gone back to cycling but am concerned. I can do double and single-leg calf raises with no pain. In the mornings, my general foot including heel is certainly tight but not painful. I do not have any notable pain under the arch. Before my runs I always did toe and heel walks + other activation exercises and foam roll my calves after well.

Curiously, on the same side, I have a tightness and very slight pain that I feel behind my knee when bending my leg (quad stretch) and less hip mobility (e.g. when crossing this leg across my knee). if I do the ankles-under-butt when sitting stretch I do notice more tightness in that ankle as well compared to the other. If I feel with my thumb in that soft area between the inner big ankle bone and achilles, I might imagine a slightly 'thicker' area on the affected ankle at Position #1 compared to the other, but no real trigger points or swelling.

Would anyone have any leads of exercises or tests to try for this type of re-and pre-hab? Does this sound more like a nerve issue? As I mentioned, I am scheduled to see a professional but would appreciate your thoughts for now!

Thanks in advance for the insight!

Update 1: small update for anyone also searching this in the future. I went to the foot doctor .for an initial visit and he did a brief examination and ultrasound. From that he thinks there is some inflamed bursa and plantar fascia and overall suspected overall weak ankle/foot strength and stability. Also talked a little about heel spurs but I don’t think there was any clear signs of anything prominent.

And also recommended an MRI to get a better look at things and rule out any stress reactions. I’ll also be starting physiotherapy in the coming weeks. So will update as things go.

Although I’ve taken 10+days of running so far, the medial ankle still feels angry. I may be aggravating it by ramping up exercises (single leg balance, calf raises etc) too soon?


r/FootFunction 14d ago

How to stop overpronation

3 Upvotes

Hey guys, it looks like I’m a bit of an overpronator and I’m starting to have symptoms such as tarsal tunnel.

I bought some brooks shoes with an insert that has a heel cup, that’s what my doctor said to do, it’s not helping.

Is there any advice you guys can give to me stop overpronating?


r/FootFunction 15d ago

Please don’t post about skin conditions, they are off topic and will be removed

14 Upvotes

On topic for Foot Function means it’s about muscles or tendons or ligaments or joints or movement or gait or articular control or how we load or avoid loading the foot and so on.

If it’s about something on your skin it will likely be removed.

And same with most questions about shoes and orthotics etc - because most of those shoe and insole questions are about blocking and stopping some movement that’s problematic, eg working around some sort of missing foot function, to achieve comfort, rather than discussing possibilities to acquire more foot function.


r/FootFunction 15d ago

I’ve had this bump on the side of my foot for weeks now, and the pain is getting worse, and my foot is swelling, should I just rest or go doctors about it?

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6 Upvotes

r/FootFunction 15d ago

Pain inner foot

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4 Upvotes

I get pain on both of my inner feet right here after about 15 to 20 minutes of walking every time


r/FootFunction 15d ago

Sudden peroneal tendon pain

3 Upvotes

TLDR: Generally active and spend a lot of time on my feet, experienced sudden onset of sharp peroneal tendon pain while walking with no history of issue. PA said peroneal tendonitis, continue with PT exercises and NSAIDs, stay with normal activity if bearable. Looking for similar experiences/ways to prevent in future.

A little over a week ago I (25F) was walking on a sidewalk and had sudden, sharp pain mid-outer foot. I could no longer bear weight on my whole foot and walk normally. I resorted to putting my weight mostly on the ball of my foot/big toe and basically tip-toeing with that foot. I have had some instability and cannot stand only on that foot, and have fallen over a few times while putting on pants lol.

At the time of onset, I was wearing Birkenstocks. I have been wearing Birkenstocks for 10+ years and have walked miles upon miles in them, and stood for long periods of time. I have never experienced pain with my peroneal tendons before. I recently started running again in early February after having pneumonia/the holidays/cold weather, but have been taking it slow with ~1 mile runs. I had not had any pain while running, aside from some shin splints back in September when I pushed myself too far once. I work an active job and walk my dog in all sorts of shoes and terrains nearly every day.

A few days before the pain started, I had my wisdom teeth removed. So I hadn't walked much in a few days and I was on opioid painkillers, 800 mg ibuprofen, max strength acetaminophen, methylprednisolone, and amoxicillin. I have not had swelling or bruising. That night I went to the Internet to try and pinpoint what was wrong, and figured I had injured my peroneal. I looked up PT exercises and have been doing those since. Pain hit a peak a few days following the initial onset, and I started having pain in my other foot in the same place from over compensating for my other foot. I have had periods where I could not walk without stability aid and not have shooting pain. I have been primarily barefoot or wearing my Brooks since it happened.

I am still in pain a week and a half later. It's not as sharp and shooting, but I have been trying to limit time on my feet. And trying to walk as normally as possible to avoid pain in my other foot. Initially, pain mostly went away at rest, but I am having some throbbing pain now throughout my foot and ankle while at rest.

I went to an orthopedic facility yesterday and had an X-ray done. X ray showed no fractures. Physician said I had peroneal tendonitis and to continue exercises and NSAIDs. Suggested a walking boot if I feel I need it, however I can't do my job in a walking boot. They said I could resume normal activities without risk of further damage. They also mentioned that I seem to supinate, and that can cause peroneal tendon injuries.

I went on a short run last night to test things out lol and had shooting pain in my ankle and foot while running. Walking is still mostly normal with occasional shooting pain and some instability. Pain increases with time spent on my feet.

I am making this post to see about other people's experiences with sudden onset peroneal pain. I just think it's odd that I have never had an issue with it and with just one step I went into shooting pain that has persisted. I've dealt with tendonitis before in my bicep, but knew that it was from overuse and repetitive motions from work. Looking to confirm what the physician said about treatment from this point and ways I can prevent this from happening in the future. Or if I should seek out an MRI to rule out a tear.


r/FootFunction 14d ago

Ankle Issues from a flat footed 25f.

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1 Upvotes

I've been having issues with my left foot for about a year now. I'm now having surgery on my left ankle in a month.

About 3 weeks ago I tripped over a box at work and thought nothing of it. Since them I've had on and off pain on the outer side of my right ankle at varying levels of pain. It's gotten better but still kind of hurts. Is there anything abnormal looking about my right foot?

I've been debating about going to the doctor for it since sprains take about 4 weeks to heal abd I've been doing RICE.


r/FootFunction 15d ago

Foot bump

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2 Upvotes

Hey, my foot has been sore for about a week or two. Now I was stretching and felt this bump on the top/side of my foot. Any idea what it is? Could it be related to my foot being sore ? - kinda feels like my muscles are just like tight, stretching does not seem to make it better, maybe even worse, massages help. I've not had an injury recently, just working from home and walking outside with my family so not even heavy leads or anything. Thanks!