Jogger’s foot is the common name given to a medical condition called medial plantar neuropraxia or entrapment of the medial plantar nerve. This is a condition where inflammation takes place in the medial plantar nerve present in the plantar fascia, the thick connective tissue found on the underside of the foot. Medial plantar nerve entrapment is usually seen in people who run long distances, athletes who participate in sports that involve a lot of running. This condition is also prevalent among some ballet dancers.
Symptoms
The most common symptom of this condition is numbness in the foot. There could also be tingling, or burning on the area around the foot arch and around the big toe. These sensations may also be under the second toe. Pain is another common symptom, and is most commonly felt in the arch of the foot. This pain may increase while the person is running or immediately after completing a run. These symptoms are mostly seen in the morning and rarely while running. People with jogger’s foot may also complain of a feeling that the ankle is falling apart.
Causes
When the pressure on the medial plantar nerve is increased, it results in medial plantar nerve entrapment. The pressure may come from the plantar tissue, the muscles or the bones of the foot. When this pressure falls on the nerve, there is pain felt. The pressure may also be due to an inflammation that has developed in the sole of the foot. People with flat feet can also develop the jogger’s foot.
Prevention
Long distance runners must wear correct shoes. A person with flat feet will need a different kind of footwear compared to a person with normal, arched feet. Make it a habit to warm up well before commencing your athletic activities. Wearing properly padded shoes and orthotics is a must. There are a range of exercises that can help people who are rehabilitating from the jogger’s foot.
Recommended Treatment
The first and foremost requirement for a person with the jogger’s foot is rest. Running or jogging needs to be stopped completely during the period assigned for healing. Using heel raises and heel arch supports can help reduce the pain. Without surgery, it usually takes a year to recover from the jogger’s foot. However, if the symptoms prevail beyond this time, surgical intervention may be necessary. Post surgery, the patient will have to rest for at least six weeks.
Medication
Pain can be managed by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibrufen. Often, acetaminophen is prescribed. After surgery, the doctors decide on the line of medications that would be required.
