Discomfort on the Side of Foot Extending to the Ankle
Female - 25 years old - 160 pounds - 5’6" During my usual treadmill workout, which I engage in daily, I had just completed two out of my planned four miles. (The day prior, I had a longer session lasting two hours on the treadmill.) Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain on the outer side of my left foot that radiated slightly into the bone of my ankle. Initially, the discomfort was minor, and I was able to continue walking, but it escalated to a point where I had to discontinue my workout. Currently, I can press on the painful area, rotate my ankle in both directions, and stretch and flex my toes without any issues; standing on my tiptoes is also pain-free. However, walking brings significant pain. While standing still does not cause me discomfort, as soon as I begin to walk, the pain intensifies, almost like I need to strike the top of my foot in an attempt to realign something. I find that rotating my ankle feels relieving, and after walking, I experience a brief pain lasting about ten seconds while seated, but this discomfort subsides until I stand up to walk again. Does anyone have insight into what might be causing this?
Answers (1)
3/27/2025, 10:01:01 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing pain on the outer side of your foot that intensifies with walking, which can be quite concerning, especially given that it followed a workout. Several factors could be contributing to your discomfort, such as overuse, a strain, or even a potential injury to the ligaments or tendons in that area. It's good to hear that movements like ankle rotation and standing on tiptoes are pain-free, which may indicate that your ligaments are intact, but the pain during walking suggests some inflammation or irritation.
Explanation
The hollow on the outer side of the foot can involve various structures, including muscles, tendons, or ligaments. Overexerting during exercise can lead to a condition known as "peroneal tendonitis," which affects the tendons running along the side of the foot or a possible strain. Since you were very active before the pain started, it’s possible your foot may need some rest and care to recover.
Next Steps
-
Rest: Avoid running or any high-impact activities that exacerbate the pain for at least a few days. This will allow any inflammation to reduce.
-
Ice the Area: Apply ice to the affected area for 15-20 minutes every 1-2 hours for the first 48 hours to help reduce swelling and relieve pain. Make sure to wrap the ice in a cloth to protect your skin.
-
Elevate: When sitting or lying down, try to keep your foot elevated to minimize swelling.
-
Gentle Stretching: Once the sharp pain decreases, you can start gentle stretching exercises for your foot and ankle, focusing on improving flexibility without causing pain.
-
Pain Management: If necessary, over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help manage pain and reduce inflammation. Make sure to follow the recommended dosage.
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep an eye on your symptoms over the next few days. If the pain persists or worsens, or if you experience swelling or discoloration, you may want to consider consulting a healthcare professional for further evaluation.
Taking these steps should give your foot the opportunity to heal, but please listen to your body and don’t rush back into your normal routine until you feel completely ready. Let me know if you need more advice or specific exercises!
Related Questions
Braved the Cold Without Gloves at -20
19-year-old from Toronto here. After being outside in frigid temperatures, I've returned home feeling quite cold. My right hand is experiencing numbness and tingling in the fingertips. What steps should I take? It's been around 7 to 8 hours since I was outdoors.
Managing Early Appendicitis: Antibiotics vs. Surgery
I’m a 21-year-old who recently had a CT scan revealing mild inflammation in my appendix and lymph nodes. My doctor informed me that surgery might not be necessary if the antibiotics effectively alleviate my discomfort by tomorrow. However, I can’t shake my fears about a potential recurrence of the inflammation. The thought of going through a post-surgery recovery terrifies me, so I really want to steer clear of that option. Has anyone opted for antibiotics rather than surgical intervention? What was your experience like?
Concerns Over My Partner's Persistent Pain and Resistance to Seek Medical Help
I’m facing a worrying situation with my partner, a 40-year-old man who stands 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs approximately 19 stone. Here's a brief overview of his medical background: Twenty years ago, he experienced two instances of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his left shoulder. Following the second incident, doctors discovered an abnormal growth of a rib that was pressing against a vein, which was the cause of those DVTs. More recently, he dealt with a blood clot in his calf last year. Fortunately, that was successfully treated, and he returned to his normal health. Although he was advised to continue taking apixaban for the long term, he has, unfortunately, chosen not to follow through with this guidance. He also has a history of elevated blood pressure. For the past couple of days, he has been experiencing two concerning symptoms that emerged simultaneously: a persistent cough with no accompanying cold or flu signs, and a severe pain located on the right side of his torso. He describes this discomfort as being mostly in his stomach yet extending slightly to his back. I would pinpoint the troubled area as the lower part of his ribs along the side of his body. It's unusual for him to express discomfort or complain about his health, so his recent grievances signal to me that the pain is likely quite significant. Despite my repeated suggestions for him to visit a doctor, he insists that he may have simply pulled a muscle. To manage the pain, he's been applying an ibuprofen cream (voltarol) and taking naproxen, but neither seems to provide relief. What might be the underlying issue here? I hope that some medical professionals who see this post can offer their insights, which might persuade him to consider making a doctor’s appointment. I’m open to providing any additional information you might require for a more informed perspective. Thank you for your help!
Struggling with Bleeding and Pain Since Christmas
I'm a 27-year-old woman from the UK, and I've reached a point of exasperation. I'm reaching out because I hope someone can provide insight or guidance on what I should discuss with my doctors. Please excuse any grammar or spelling errors as I have dyslexia. I've been diagnosed with endometriosis and underwent surgery in 2022 for confirmation of that diagnosis. On December 15th, I had my birth control implant removed after nearly two years. During that period, I experienced severe menstrual cramps and PMS. My GP started me on Drospirenone 3mg and Estetrol 14.2mg COCP in October to alleviate these symptoms and suppress my periods, which provided some relief. Prior to this situation, I occasionally dealt with flare-ups that typically lasted a few days or up to a week. To help manage the discomfort, I have been prescribed Duloxetine at a dosage of 90mg. I had an ultrasound earlier this summer, and the results came back normal. Currently, I am awaiting an MRI. Last year, my smear test results were also clear. After the removal of my implant in December, I began bleeding on Christmas Eve. Initially, I could manage with just a panty liner, but over the next few weeks, the bleeding intensified, requiring the use of pads due to increased blood flow and blood clots. Given my history with endometriosis, pain isn't unfamiliar to me; my average pain level is around a 4, but it has recently escalated to 7 or 8. In the past couple of weeks, the discomfort has worsened. My job demands physical activity, and bending over now causes pain in my back and legs. Additionally, I experience discomfort when my bladder fills, and urination is painful, although it doesn't feel like a urinary tract infection. I've also been waking up at night to use the restroom. My doctor performed a urine dip test that showed no signs of infection, though there was blood in my urine, which he indicated was to be expected. Recently, my GP prescribed Tranexamic acid 500mg and Mefenamic acid 500mg, which helped with the blood clots, but I'm still experiencing bleeding and significant pain. I've been diligent about taking my medication, treating it like a strict regimen. I returned to the GP, who referred me for another ultrasound and advised me to go to A&E if the pain worsens. I've been resting as much as possible while still trying to maintain some level of activity, but it hasn't provided much relief. Any assistance or advice would be immensely appreciated! Thank you!
Normal MRI and EMG Reveal Nerve Slowdown
Greetings, I’m a 23-year-old female seeking guidance about some health issues I’ve been experiencing. Recently, I've noticed weakness in both my hand and arm, particularly in my dominant hand where grip strength has been notably diminished. After undergoing an EMG, the results indicated that my nerves are exhibiting a slowdown. However, my MRI results were unremarkable. To address some swelling I experienced, I was prescribed a course of steroids (4mg for a few months), which alleviated some of the issues, yet I still experience residual swelling in my hand. Often, my hand feels cold, and I notice a popping sensation when I move my fingers. Despite these sensations, I do not have any numbness or tingling, and the swelling appears sporadic. The pain I endure is quite severe, described as a hammering sensation throughout my hand. On occasion, I take ibuprofen (600mg) for relief, but it proves to be somewhat ineffective. My wrist itself seems fine, but my orthopedic specialist is considering a diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), even though my symptoms don’t align with typical CTS indicators. I would greatly appreciate any advice or insights you may offer!