Big toe / first and second metatarsal pain during heel raises?

Foot care
1

Hi everyone - I started doing physio for what my doctor believes in posterior tibial tendonitis.  One of the exercises my PT has recommended is to do heel raises.

I've noticed a really bad pain in my first and second metatarsal area - and to some extent my big toe - when I do the heel raises.  I'm currently doing them with both feet at the same time to avoid putting undue pressure on my feet at this point.  But I almost feel like I can't even do them because of the dull pain it causes.  I tried them yesterday, and today my first/second metatarsal region is very sore -- and not in a good way (it's a dull pain!).

Any suggestions for how to address this?  Should I do these exercises in shoes only?  Is this a symptom of something else I might be dealing with?

Thanks

2

Yes, wear shoes, which will give you more support. But also go see an orthopedist/ podiatrist as you do not want to be setting yourself up for further injury.

3

If tibialis posterior tendonitis is suspected the heel raises will worsten the condition and possibly cause that tendon to rupture. An ultrasound examination will confirm the posterior tibial tendonitis.

I would recommend a foot-and-ankle orthopaedic surgeon, not a podiatrist.

4

Thank you both for responding.  I will definitely wear shoes.  My toe/ball of foot is still very sore, unfortunately.

I have been seeing a foot-and-ankle orthopaedic specialist.  I got an MRI of my foot and we found a small morton's neuroma.  The posterior tendonitis was diagnosed based on symptoms such as tightness in calves, ankle area tenderness, and pain that spreads throughout my arch during activity only.

5

Where was the Morton's neuroma?

6

Between the 3rd and 4th webspace in my left foot.  It's pretty minor but had been bothering me over the past few months.  Now the pain along my inner arch / big toe is most debilitating.  But overall, there's pain from metatarsals all the way down to medial arch (no heel pain, though).

7

It is unlikely that removal of the "Morton's neuroma" will assist your major problems.

Was pathology shown in the plantar fascia on the MRI?

As I have come to understand it you have a complex (multi-component) problem, difficult for me to fully cover on this site.

You are welcome to write a "PL" (private letter) via this site.

8

Hi Bill, I think I would get a second opinion. Elizabeth