Martin Daly
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino del Norte (2018)
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Take heart!no place have I found any references to a “cure”
I got a stress fracture in my 2nd metatarsal and a lisframc joint sprain ( didn't know that that were the injuries until weeks later) I slightly tripped and knocked front and side of my foot taking a step down onto a verandah at the end of an exhausting day 1 out of Geneva. I wore Adidas walking shoes.Take heart!
I had a metatarsal stress fracture 2 years ago, caused by wearing some stiff heavy boots on hard surfaces on a few very fast walks on city sidewalks. I had pulled these boots out of the closet and decided to "wear them out." They wore out my foot instead. I got a persistent sore foot.
I had several months when I could walk a few km but no more than 6-8 km without significant pain. The pain was never extremely severe but it was clearly going to be a problem on a 800-km walk. I had tried resting it for up to 3 weeks but it didn't really get better. Finally, I got it diagnosed and the doctor said it typically takes 6-8 weeks to heal. He suggested I wear a boot cast or an special insert in my shoe. I decided that the insert increased my discomfort, and the boot was overkill, since I could eliminate any pain by walking extremely gently and wearing cushioned footwear. So I just stayed off my feet as much as possible for the summer. I rarely left the house, wore crocs around the house on the hard floors (quite important), and when I did go out I walked very very slowly so there was virtually no discomfort. It took some real discipline. At 4 weeks, still not healed. At 5 weeks, getting close but not there. At 6 weeks - Yes, I started some regular walking. At 7 weeks, back to proper training with no discomfort ever again. At 10 weeks from diagnosis, I was walking from SJPP. I have walked 3 caminos since.
The lesson... if it is a stress fracture, 6-7 weeks of rest are probably needed. What that "rest" looks like might be variable. I'd suggest that you be really strict, starting right now - no walking; use soft cushioned shoes around the house and when going out. Consider a "boot cast" if your doctor suggests. Forget about even modest walking/training.
What I learned is that until it is healed, it isn't healed. You don't want to set it back. Each day of healing could be undone by a day of walking! So, stay off the foot!
Stress fractures are common and they can be hard to diagnose except with an expensive bone scan. However, the treatment is simple, so if you seem to have one, the conservative and effective treatment is to stay off the foot for 6 weeks. If you don't try to shortcut the treatment, you can be quite confident that it will heal. Plan to stay off it for January and February, then start training in March and you'll be fine for May.
Good luck, and let us know how it goes!
Martin, I would definitely recommend that you go, in the first instance, to see a Podiatrist and, then, if needed, get a referal on to a Podiatric Specialist or someone who deals with foot issues.....you have enough time before your walk to get your foot issue sorted out properly. We here on the forum, can only give you information and hints as to how to manage this, but we are not professionals - it may be an issue with your shoes, but it may well be a structural issue with you foot. Much better to go to the people who really do know feet and who can help you properly. Kind regards and I hope that you can sort this out sooner rather than later.Greetings all,
I have been in frequent training for the Camino del Norte which I had planned to start about the end of May. Now I fear I may not be able to achieve this dream as I have developed a severe Metatarsal issue in my right foot.
The pain kicks in at about the four kilometere mark, amd it is so serious that it forces me to stop walking. I am quite devastated by this development, as I can see my chances of walking the Camino disappearing.
I have read widely on the Web about this, and noplace have I found any references to a “cure”
I have good shoes, Merill Moab 11, Ventilator.
Are there better shoes around for someone with this condition?
So, in desparation, I ask: is it possible to walk the Camino del Norte - a difficult Camino, by all accounts - with such a severe case of Metatarsalagia?
Can anything be done to eliminate the pain?
As my physio is away until Februray. I have suspended my training regime - which was not severe or difficult .
With thanks ,
Martin
I am curious what is not consistent with a stress fracture? The very limited information sounds very much like my stress fracture, which was confirmed by a bone scan. Yes, they'll probably do an x-ray but stress fractures may not show up on it.It doesn't sound like a stress fracture
Yes it was to avoid a moonboot. I felt it would keep me more balanced. The lisfranc sprain was probably the worst part and needed rigid support.We all are such great "doctors"! We all would agree that the metatarsal needs rest while it heals and that some cushioning, whether on the foot or on the bottom, feels good.
Gittiharre, was the reason for wearing the stiff hiking boots during your healing process to keep the bone stable sort of like a splint or an orthopedic boot?
I am curious what is not consistent with a stress fracture? The very limited information sounds very much like my stress fracture, which was confirmed by a bone scan. Yes, they'll probably do an x-ray but stress fractures may not show up on it.
There is a lot that can be done. The first is to be certain of the cause or causes and the internet may not be the best place to determine that. A podiatrist and/or an orthopedic surgeon who treats foot and ankle may be useful to rule out bone issues or to try an injection if appropriate.Greetings all,
I have been in frequent training for the Camino del Norte which I had planned to start about the end of May. Now I fear I may not be able to achieve this dream as I have developed a severe Metatarsal issue in my right foot.
The pain kicks in at about the four kilometere mark, amd it is so serious that it forces me to stop walking. I am quite devastated by this development, as I can see my chances of walking the Camino disappearing.
I have read widely on the Web about this, and noplace have I found any references to a “cure”
I have good shoes, Merill Moab 11, Ventilator.
Are there better shoes around for someone with this condition?
So, in desparation, I ask: is it possible to walk the Camino del Norte - a difficult Camino, by all accounts - with such a severe case of Metatarsalagia?
Can anything be done to eliminate the pain?
As my physio is away until Februray. I have suspended my training regime - which was not severe or difficult .
With thanks ,
Martin
Greetings all,
I have been in frequent training for the Camino del Norte which I had planned to start about the end of May. Now I fear I may not be able to achieve this dream as I have developed a severe Metatarsal issue in my right foot.
The pain kicks in at about the four kilometere mark, amd it is so serious that it forces me to stop walking. I am quite devastated by this development, as I can see my chances of walking the Camino disappearing.
It sounds similar to an issue I encountered on my first Camino on CF. about 6 days in. Numbness and pain on right foot. Felt like walking on a marble lodged between 3rd and 4th digit. There's a nerve there which can become inflamed/irritated. There is a more serious manifestation but assume the best for now.
So, IF that sounds similar, my salvation was walking the rest of CF (3 more weeks) in Keen sandals I bought in Santo Domingo. The 'anatomic footbed' seems to behave differently from all my other shoes. On return, i got an orthotic with a metatarsal pad (raised area which forces a more natural curvature of the foot). I find splayed toes or just walking <au naturel> in bare feet is very comforting.
Good luck. There are feet people who can help. They focus on our natural foot function and how shoes/boots (even 'good' ones) actually cause us all problems. For example, @alignment.anarchist on Instagram is a friend who has fixed her own (way worse) foot disasters by applying her engineering brain to sensible problem solving and disciplined exercises. Hope it helps!!!!
BuenCamino!
Yes, there is a ton of pavement on the Norte. On my first Norte I really did some major damage to my heel. After getting a lot of help from forum friends, I was able to put together a list of coastal alternatives that were different from the camino in two ways -- mainly dirt trails, and right next to the sea.I'm wondering if the Norte is the best camino for you. I've gotten the impression (maybe incorrectly) that there was a lot of road walking on the Norte. Walking on pavement can be very hard on the feet. Any opinions from veterans of multiple caminos?
Yes, there is a ton of pavement on the Norte. On my first Norte I really did some major damage to my heel. After getting a lot of help from forum friends, I was able to put together a list of coastal alternatives that were different from the camino in two ways -- mainly dirt trails, and right next to the sea.
If you are interested in these alternatives, I put up a link here, https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/coastal-alternatives-to-the-nortes-asphalt.49578/ but @Dave's soon-to-be-published new edition of Northern Caminos will list them all, he tells me.
See his comment in this thread: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/mar-stages.52094/#post-574352
Buen camino, and for those who feel the bad effects of pavement, icing is a very good idea, as is obsessively hunting for an off-road dirt option next to the pavement. It slows you down a bit, and may involve walking in weeds, but I will do almost anything to avoid the pavement!
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