Chas Tennis
G.O.A.T.
UPDATE - Diagnosed as a corn on the end of the 5th Metatarsal - see post #12.
The 5th Metatarsal is the long bone on the outside of the foot, it goes to the little toe. There are 5th M injuries, some of which are caused by trauma. My pains are near the Cuboids. Cuboid injury can cause pain felt at the 5th Metatarsal. I read one warning that Cuboid injury can become a cartilage injury, so I'm concerned about playing with this foot pain. There are some complicating factors.
I started playing tennis in May after 2 years off from Covid. Started using compression stockings, all day use. I take walks for 35-40 minutes on hills and have little 5th M pain. A few weeks ago, I had been having some pain after tennis at both 5th Metatarsals. I missed a few weeks with possible hip strain and I'm starting back again. The 5th M pain after tennis was there again this past Monday.
There are several complicating factors:
1) My 5th Metatarsal bony knobs, next to Cuboids, look a bit prominent.
2) Both Metatarsals have pain after tennis.
3) Compression Stockings. I now wear compression stockings all day due to venous insufficiency. Toeless. 20-30 mm pressure. I changed to toeless because the ones with toes caused pain to the bones of my toes when sitting. I think the stocking foot was too short for my size 14s. On the other hand, the toeless stockings may slip away from the toes toward the middle of the foot still covering the bony knob of the 5th M by 1 1/4". Do the compression stockings themselves cause pain at the Cuboid/5th M during court running?
4) Sock to protect compression stockings. This special sock can't add much more compression.
4) Shoes. I lost my tennis shoes somehow. Have been trying to find new flexible shoes with inserts that fit correctly. Current shoes, New Balance Minimus Shoes with Spenco inserts. When playing, does my 5th M ever contact the court directly?
5) Arch Support Insert. The shoe insert has some arch support, that tilts down toward the outside of my foot. Does my foot slide to the outside and cause court contact of the 5th M?
I'm getting a referral to a Podiatrist.
If anyone has dealt with pain near the 5th Metatarsal, please post your experience.
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