For the past week I've been dealing with what I now suspect is capsulitis of my 2nd metatarsal-phalyngeal joint (MPJ). For a little background, I'm a distance runner (marathons mostly) who typically runs in minimalist shoes or racing flats. I've been walking barefoot for the past 1.5 years and over the past couple months have been supplementing my shod running with short barefoot runs (3-4 miles).
2 weeks ago I began to notice some mild achiness along my 1st metatarsal, and decided to play it safe and temporarily cut out the barefoot running. One week later, during an 11-mile shod run I felt some mild numbness in my second toe and tension along the second metatarsal. The following day after a short walk I found myself in excruciating pain and unable to walk. An x-ray did not show signs of a fracture, but I understand a stress fracture may not appear for days or weeks. For the past week, it's been quite painful to walk, particularly on hard surfaces or barefoot. Running is out of the question. The pain is located around the top and bottom of the 2nd MPJ, sometimes radiates along the toe or metatarsal, and is painful to the touch with adequate pressure. There is extensive swelling and clear inflammation around the joint. I hate to self-diagnose, but after a lot of independent research, my symptoms most closely match capsulitis.
Assuming this is the issue, what is the best treatment? Conventional advice includes NSAIDS and orthotics / metatarsal pads. However, I'm always hesitant to take anti-inflammatories, as I understand they can sometimes interfere with body's natural healing processes. And being a lifestyle barefooter, it's very difficult for me to return to overly restrictive shoes. Any advice from the docs is much appreciated!
2 weeks ago I began to notice some mild achiness along my 1st metatarsal, and decided to play it safe and temporarily cut out the barefoot running. One week later, during an 11-mile shod run I felt some mild numbness in my second toe and tension along the second metatarsal. The following day after a short walk I found myself in excruciating pain and unable to walk. An x-ray did not show signs of a fracture, but I understand a stress fracture may not appear for days or weeks. For the past week, it's been quite painful to walk, particularly on hard surfaces or barefoot. Running is out of the question. The pain is located around the top and bottom of the 2nd MPJ, sometimes radiates along the toe or metatarsal, and is painful to the touch with adequate pressure. There is extensive swelling and clear inflammation around the joint. I hate to self-diagnose, but after a lot of independent research, my symptoms most closely match capsulitis.
Assuming this is the issue, what is the best treatment? Conventional advice includes NSAIDS and orthotics / metatarsal pads. However, I'm always hesitant to take anti-inflammatories, as I understand they can sometimes interfere with body's natural healing processes. And being a lifestyle barefooter, it's very difficult for me to return to overly restrictive shoes. Any advice from the docs is much appreciated!
