In the midst of a 10K training run, you feel that annoying numbness in your feet. Unfortunately, foot pain and numbness are common maladies among runners. The Mayo Clinic notes that there are many possible reasons for foot numbness, a condition which is also called metatarsalgia.
Shoe Laces
The laces of your shoes, if tied too tightly, can cut off circulation in your foot and cause numbness. Loosening them can alleviate the constriction in blood flow as you run.
Sesamoiditis
The sesamoid bones are located in the balls of the feet and are susceptible to extreme and repeated forces during running. Wearing shoes that are too tight in the forefoot can cause the sesamoids to rub against each other at footstrike, and create inflammation (sesamoiditis), which in turn, can lead to numbness.
Morton's Neuroma
Morton's neuroma is a benign thickening of connective tissue that affects the nerve between the third and fourth toes. It is caused by irritation, trauma or continuous pressure to the area by ill-fitting shoes, and can result in pain, stinging and numbness.
Stress Fractures
Stress fractures are incomplete breaks in the bones and one of the most common sport injuries. Inexperienced runners, as well as experienced runners who train too intensively, are at high risk for this malady. Numbness in the foot can be a symptom of a stress fracture.
Foot Care
The joy of running is easily hampered by foot numbness and pain, so it is extremely critical for runners to pay extra attention to their feet. If numbness or pain continue for a prolonged period of time, consult an orthopedic or podiatric specialist to pinpoint the cause and alleviate the discomfort.
References
- "Walking aches and running pains. Injuries of the foot and ankle" 1996. Gellman, R., Burns, S. Primary Care 23(2)
- Metatarsalgia, Mayo Clinic Staff
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
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