Pain in Middle Ball of Foot - Originally Top of Foot Pain

tchaten

Barefooters
Aug 10, 2015
17
5
3
36
Milford, NH 03055
A few days ago (Sunday) - I noticed what felt like a small pebble stuck underneath my skin in the middle ball of my foot. I don't believe this is the case and now am believing it is some kind of soft tissue injury. I did a 4 mile run that morning and a hike that afternoon. I'm forgetting if it was after the run or hike that this would have set in.

I've been barefoot running for one and a half months at this point, learned how to run using Soft Star Running Moccasins (February to May - couch to 5k), I then switched to Bedrock Sandals in the summer and finally decided to give barefoot a try on July 1st. Prior I had worn minimalistic shoes just because I liked how they felt, so have been wearing Vibrams for my day to day shoe for 5 years or so. I say this to think that my feet are a bit more developed than most new barefoot runners.

The left foot in the middle ball of my foot is where the pain is coming from; I don't believe it is PF because my heel has no pain and it is just that one spot on my foot. I run mostly on asphalt pavement (roads and paved running/bike trails). That foot the week prior was experiencing some top of the foot pain.

Any advise on how to recover from this injury would be greatly appreciated - I'm training for a marathon in October and this could slow down that training schedule if I can't figure out a cure.
 
That sounds like sesmoiditis, which is basically the sesmoid bones getting inflamed from impact. If that is the case, I would look at the calves (probably very tight), the back of the knees (popliteus), gluts and core. You are most likely hitting hard into the forefoot when you run, causing the problem from the constant impact. Even if you pad it using foam or moleskin, the problem behind why it inflamed needs to be addressed.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sid and Barefoot TJ