It's gotta be the socks. Right?

[Cindysphinx]

I have foot pain when I play. I have changed shoes. I have licked my plantar faschiitis. I feel like most of my foot troubles should be behind me.

The problem now seems to be what I will call "pre-blisters." After I play, it feels like the soles of my feet are on fire. Like, the balls of my feet are bruised. I see no blisters or other signs of injury. I iced, and they felt a bit better, but not completely.

I wear Eurosock peds. I've used them for three years now, after a nasty bout of blisters after a singles match. I have many pairs, and none seem to have worn through.

I need to fix this problem, stat. I played today, and my feet hurt like the dickens now. I have to play tomorrow morning, and I am dreading it.

Is it the socks? Is there something I should try? I will pay any price to make my feet feel better, as gulping Advil seems like a poor solution.

 

[doublefault2008]

It could mean that your feet is too dry and sensitive. Have you tried changing the soles of your shoes or using lotion?

 

[saram]

I have foot pain when I play. I have changed shoes. I have licked my plantar faschiitis. I feel like most of my foot troubles should be behind me.

The problem now seems to be what I will call "pre-blisters." After I play, it feels like the soles of my feet are on fire. Like, the balls of my feet are bruised. I see no blisters or other signs of injury. I iced, and they felt a bit better, but not completely.

I wear Eurosock peds. I've used them for three years now, after a nasty bout of blisters after a singles match. I have many pairs, and none seem to have worn through.

I need to fix this problem, stat. I played today, and my feet hurt like the dickens now. I have to play tomorrow morning, and I am dreading it.

Is it the socks? Is there something I should try? I will pay any price to make my feet feel better, as gulping Advil seems like a poor solution.

Ask for a massage from your hubby--that could start things off on the right foot and take your mind off the pain...

 

[Josherer]

I have foot pain when I play. I have changed shoes. I have licked my plantar faschiitis. I feel like most of my foot troubles should be behind me.

The problem now seems to be what I will call "pre-blisters." After I play, it feels like the soles of my feet are on fire. Like, the balls of my feet are bruised. I see no blisters or other signs of injury. I iced, and they felt a bit better, but not completely.

I wear Eurosock peds. I've used them for three years now, after a nasty bout of blisters after a singles match. I have many pairs, and none seem to have worn through.

I need to fix this problem, stat. I played today, and my feet hurt like the dickens now. I have to play tomorrow morning, and I am dreading it.

Is it the socks? Is there something I should try? I will pay any price to make my feet feel better, as gulping Advil seems like a poor solution.

You've licked what now?

 

[Bad Dog]

I have foot pain when I play. I have changed shoes. I have licked my plantar faschiitis.

You could try Superfeet insoles

 

[robkat]

Although I do not have any foot problems, I have worn Eurosocks and while very nice, they do not provide the comfort and cushion that other socks provide. I went back to wearing Thorlos and it is like night and day. The Thorlos provide so much more comfort. Whether that would help alleviate your foot problems, I do not know but I do you can't beat the extra comfort.

 

[hollywood9826]

If it a dry skin issue you can try some Corn Huskers Lotion my friend swears by it. Also how thick the socks, and do your shoes breath well. Heat and moisture are major contributors to blisters and dry skin.

 

[slice bh compliment]

Is it the cold weather that's making you not sweat at all?
Is it dry skin? More essential fatty acids in the diet. Putting lotion on your feet may help, but too much and you slip around, huh?

Could be the socks and the insoles creating, ahem, friction.
Possible solutions:

1] Get a pair of JoxSox (which are padded and synthetic, but they feel like cotton in that they do not slip around much at all).

2] Get replacement insoles that are made for sports, like Super Soles.

3] I don't know what kind of shoes you're wearing, but the ones I wear have no metal eyelets, and a lacing system that allows a slightly looser fit in the forefoot and a nice snug feel in the midfoot and heel. Tight laces are not comfortable the first time, but competing with them will reduce friction. You've seen many great players come to the court with laces undone or really loose. Then moments before hitting the court again, they tighten the laces up.

I have played a lot over the years, and I still do. I have not had foot blisters from tennis in about 12 years. I've become convinced that going up a half-size, lacing tighter and using the right socks and insoles is the way to prevent blisters. Then again, some pros do that too, and they get blisters from plain old overuse.

 

[Yonex10sFan]

I have to agree w/ ROBKAT. Thorlos are the best socks I've ever had! I've tried wearing 2 pairs of socks & other brands, but none are as cushiony as the Thorlos. I tried my new Nike Cage's w/ regular socks & my feet were killing me. I put on Thorlos the next time & it was like walking on clouds. However, if you switch to Thorlos remember you need to go up at least a 1/2 size to accomodate them. I wear 8's in dress shoes & 9's in athletic shoes except for Nikes which I wear a 9.5. Good luck & hope this helps!

 

[slice bh compliment]

^agreed^

I think EuroSocks, though cleverly named, are weak and cheap.
Good point about Thorlos. Their latest claim is that their socks help to replicate an possibly even preserve fat pads on the bottoms of a player's feet.

They are expensive but worth it.

If you like a thinner, cheaper sock, go with two prs of JoxSox.

If you are serious about cushioning and also want the no-slip feel, do a Thorlo with a Jox Sock over it. A little tight unless you go up a half a size, but so good on the feet.

 

[user92626]

Maybe your socks were too slippery and your feet moved around too much. Get good cotton socks. The balls hurt (sounds painful just writing about it :shock maybe because of not enough cushion and you slammed on them too hard in running.

 

[scotus]

I used to wear Thorlos 15-20 years ago. The material they used kept the moisture in and made the feet really hot and sweaty.

Unless they have changed the material, I wouldn't buy them, not to mention the exorbitant price tag.

I prefer socks made of CoolMax fabric.

 

[FuriousYellow]

I get those "hot spots" from running. Do you have calluses or layers of hard skin building up on the bottom of your feet? Those can cause excessive rubbing in those areas even though it doesn't blister. If you have them, just file them down.

I used to get a lot of blister on the bottom of my feet from tennis, but since I started putting foot powder in my socks I don't get them anymore.

 

[zacinnc78]

i get the callouses on the sides of my big toes facing each other....no matter if i wear a loose or tight shoe

 

[JavierLW]

I have foot pain when I play. I have changed shoes. I have licked my plantar faschiitis. I feel like most of my foot troubles should be behind me.

The problem now seems to be what I will call "pre-blisters." After I play, it feels like the soles of my feet are on fire. Like, the balls of my feet are bruised. I see no blisters or other signs of injury. I iced, and they felt a bit better, but not completely.

I wear Eurosock peds. I've used them for three years now, after a nasty bout of blisters after a singles match. I have many pairs, and none seem to have worn through.

I need to fix this problem, stat. I played today, and my feet hurt like the dickens now. I have to play tomorrow morning, and I am dreading it.

Is it the socks? Is there something I should try? I will pay any price to make my feet feel better, as gulping Advil seems like a poor solution.

Try rotating two pairs of shoes if you play on back to back days.

It might take that long for the EVA cushioning in the shoe to recover.

Also how long ago did you change your shoes? Did you break them in first?

Are you using different insoles or the ones that come in the shoes?

 

[Cindysphinx]

I have fairly new shoes because I was trying different things for the plantar faschiitis. I do try to rotate. I am using all sorts of insoles. Every day is different. Sometimes I use the Superfeet, sometimes a gel sole, sometimes just the sole the shoes came with. My running shoes are also new, and I have no problems when I run.

Well, I'm well and truly finished now. Today I played hard (in my last brand new pair of Eurosocks) in a match, and there now is a huge blister on one foot, right in that crease between the ball and that other fat pad. Ouch, ouch, ouch.

I ordered three new pairs of different socks (two different Thorlos and something else) via internet. It looks like I'm on injured reserve for a few days while I wait for them to arrive and let this foot thing run its course.

 

[tbini87]

I have fairly new shoes because I was trying different things for the plantar faschiitis. I do try to rotate. I am using all sorts of insoles. Every day is different. Sometimes I use the Superfeet, sometimes a gel sole, sometimes just the sole the shoes came with. My running shoes are also new, and I have no problems when I run.

Well, I'm well and truly finished now. Today I played hard (in my last brand new pair of Eurosocks) in a match, and there now is a huge blister on one foot, right in that crease between the ball and that other fat pad. Ouch, ouch, ouch.

I ordered three new pairs of different socks (two different Thorlos and something else) via internet. It looks like I'm on injured reserve for a few days while I wait for them to arrive and let this foot thing run its course.

sorry to hear that. i sometimes have to tape my toes... but don't get blisters. i have a few pair of thorlos and they are pretty nice. i also like some adidas socks i have. i guess it is just guess and check (or trial and error... or whatever!). good luck with fixing your problem... let us know what solves it!

 

[JavierLW]

I have fairly new shoes because I was trying different things for the plantar faschiitis. I do try to rotate. I am using all sorts of insoles. Every day is different. Sometimes I use the Superfeet, sometimes a gel sole, sometimes just the sole the shoes came with. My running shoes are also new, and I have no problems when I run.

Well, I'm well and truly finished now. Today I played hard (in my last brand new pair of Eurosocks) in a match, and there now is a huge blister on one foot, right in that crease between the ball and that other fat pad. Ouch, ouch, ouch.

I ordered three new pairs of different socks (two different Thorlos and something else) via internet. It looks like I'm on injured reserve for a few days while I wait for them to arrive and let this foot thing run its course.

I got really tired of getting blisters, so I started wearing special sock liners inside my socks, that are usually used for hiking. (you can buy them at GanderMountain or some hiking and backpacking store)

Not sure they work for everyone, but they work for me, otherwise I usually got blisters all the time.

The right insole probally helps as well. I went to a Ortho clinic that sells shoes a few months ago intending to buy SuperFeet insoles, and they had me get these PowerStep ones instead. Not because they were necessarily better, but they just happened to conform to the shape of my arch better.

After market insoles are garbage, especially the gell ones. It's like putting a pillow inside fo a hard hat shell and having something fall and hit you in the head, it's useless. (because it will just squish up and whatever is falling will crack your helmet and your head)

I used to buy Dr. Scholl's for years (the non-gell ones were at least better than the soles that the shoes come with) and usually the felt wears out right away which creates instant blisters.

 

[Cindysphinx]

Well, it must be the shoes after all.

I went to my lesson yesterday sporting a brand new pair of fairly thick Thorlos. Wore the K-Swiss with no extra insole.

You would not believe this blister now. It is bloody inside. By the time the lesson ended, the other foot was starting to blister.

I guess I'll go back to my Barricades and try that. I don't think I ever got a blister wearing those.

Now I'm in trouble. I play socially tonight. I play socially tomorrow morning. I play a league match on Sunday. I do a clinic on Monday. I will need a wheelchair by Tuesday.

 

[Toph]

You've licked what now?

Plantar Fascitiis is a foot problem where the "fleshy" part of the bottom of your foot becomes swelled up. The result is that when you put pressure on the bottom of your foot, it can't relax and in turn gives you a good deal of pain.

 

[tbini87]

Well, it must be the shoes after all.

I went to my lesson yesterday sporting a brand new pair of fairly thick Thorlos. Wore the K-Swiss with no extra insole.

You would not believe this blister now. It is bloody inside. By the time the lesson ended, the other foot was starting to blister.

I guess I'll go back to my Barricades and try that. I don't think I ever got a blister wearing those.

Now I'm in trouble. I play socially tonight. I play socially tomorrow morning. I play a league match on Sunday. I do a clinic on Monday. I will need a wheelchair by Tuesday.

wow, you have got your work cut out for you! is there any way you can tape up your feet to give a little extra padding from all the friction? are you playing more than normal? sounds like you have been playing for a while (and play often) so i am surprised that your feet have not hardened up to resist blisters. good luck with whatever you do. hope you get healthy soon!

 

[Cindysphinx]

What kind of taping would help with a big blister on the ball of the foot, mostly the groove between the two fat pads?

I'll try anything at this point . . . .

 

[Doc Hollidae]

Not sure if this has been posted yet, but have you tried wearing double socks? I find that this prevents blisters better than anything, though it usually requires a thinner second sock.

 

[slice bh compliment]

Yeah, it's a LOT easier than taping up every day.

A Thorlo type one or two. Then a pair of Jox Sox over it. No blister in 11 years. From tennis at least.

 

[nyc]

Thorlo Type IIIs

no blisters, unless you play in excess of 3 hours on a hard court

 

[benne]

is your foot moving in your shoe?
Shoe not tied tight enough?

I know about every 3-4 months my calisses on the ball of my foot come off and fresh skin is under, after a day of walking on my heels and side ankles the skin becomes desensitized and im fine. However, i've killed off most nerve endings in my feet from severe ankle sprains and hundreds of rolls/minor sprains. hell, I stepped on a ball yesterday when i was grabbing another for a serve and looking at my coach tell me something.

 

[Gmedlo]

Not sure if this has been posted yet, but have you tried wearing double socks? I find that this prevents blisters better than anything, though it usually requires a thinner second sock.

an ankle sock under a crew works wonders for foot pain and makes it feel like you're walkin' on air!