I would like to know as well! Basically, pain under the second toe where it joins the ball of the foot, sometimes the second joint of that toe. Thought it was a nerve issue like Morton's neuroma but ultrasound has ruled that out
(they are usually visible on ultrasound
). Have also ruled out stress-fracture and a couple other things. Basically left with capsulitis and/or plantar plate tear
(basically, inflammation and tearing of the ligaments under that toe
). It sounds trivial, but it's like your toe is being torn off every time you push off your toes when you run. And walk. And, worse yet, hike up a hill. They can confirm the diagnosis with an MRI, but probably not worth the cost. Not much to be done for it apparently but try to stay off of it as much as possible. The best I can do is walk around in my hiking boots which minimize flexing your toes--further immobilization would probably require an extended leave from work and, more to the point, getting out of Saigon, as I can't even go buy food across the street safely with compromised mobility. Surgery apparently has mixed results and is usually not done unless the ligament is completely ruptured and the toe is dislocated or there is an underlying structural cause like a hammertoe--mine isn't, just sore.
Basically have gotten to the point
(after a month of very limited running and almost a month of zero running, with Worlds in the middle
) where it doesn't hurt
(most of the time-ish
) if I don't run. But the inflammation is still there--I can tell that the minute I stressed it by running, it would be painful. I have given up on all treatment--ultrasound, massage, acupuncture, electrical stimulation--as it doesn't seem to work beyond a short placebo effect. I have given up running, real shoes, hiking, basically any extended walking I don't have to do. Pretty much just work, water "runs", trainer and swimming. Like living in a box. Guess I will give it another month--not sure what the next step is at that point. Probably try to see a specialist at winter break. No one available here.
Anyway, yesterday just 45 minutes of water running. That's all I have time for between when apt. pool opens and when I go to work. About to hit the trainer.