Last season I was getting pains in the ball of my left foot, getting quite bad towards the end of the season.
Wind stopped the pain went away, well it's back again, haven’t been out much this season so it hasn’t taken much to agitate it.
I have been to the doctor his diagnosis is Metatarsalgia got x-rays today and getting a ultra sound on Wednesday.
The solution seems to be taking it easy (no kiting??) and wearing orthotics in my shoes (so much for wearing thongs to work) and if it hurts too much taking an anti-inflammatory.
So my questions is has anyone else experienced this?
Ask your Podiatrist to cement some poron where the bottom of your feet make contact with the foot pads on your board. People with feet that flatten too much often have excessive pressure throuh the 2nd, 3rd & 4th metatarsophalangeal joints resulting in inflammation of the joint capsules, so make sure your orthotics are supportive enough and have plenty of cushioning about the forefoot. Ads
Had similar issue cause I have a high arch and playing to much sports with shoes without high enough arch. So for kiting this last winter, I wore surf shoes so I could ride with a gel arch support. Looked ok in the winter with the steamer but now it looks a bit odd with boardshorts but hey if it keeps me on the water then what do I care.
why dont you just modify your pads , cut out a section and replace it with softer or harder rubber, make your own ortho-board shouldnt be a prob for you guys. Or try clark rubber
1. Now you know first hand why I've only worn sandshoes for the last 21 months; the pressures you put on your feet off the water can exacerbate the weaknesses when you are on the water.
2. Good luck getting your orthotic into the surf bootie and still being able to feel your board...
3. Due to the difficulties of #2 I aslo considered building an arch support with foam onto the footpads. However the amount and location of the support in an orthotic is vital to it functioning and is unique for every individual, so it proved practically impossible to know where to build the mound on the footpad, especially when the podiatrists use techy machines to take computer images of your foot to eliminate the human error aspect!). Secondly, your feet move around depending on heelside, toeside etc. again making it impossible to locate a spot for the mound that would work for every stance. Thirdly, sometimes when you land moves (one-foot, board-offs etc.) your feet aren't always snug in the straps, meaning a mound somewhere could actually cause you to damage your injury further, e.g. rolling the ankle.
4. Due to all these attempts and considerations I resort to an ankle brace. It keeps your foot in the position it would be in if you were still wearing your sandshoes and orthotic.
Hopefully it won't come to this for you Ian. If anyone does work out a way to fit a mound to the footpad that works in all situations, please post it.
i think jan had a good idea, bindings will support your foot way better. and they seem to be COOL too these days. Liquid Force do a super sweet binding if you are interested ian.
ian, stop wearing thongs, dunlop volleys and docksiders for 90% of your waking life and spend some bucks on quality footwear. it's like a good bed for your back, good sunnies for your eyes and good beer (we'll send you some fourex) regards ian.
I had the same thing (got to the stage where I was in agony if I had to do any long runs) and the pain went away when I got a new board. I had the dakine contour pads on my old board which were a nice pad but harder than the ones I have now which don't give me any troubles at all. Could have something to do with it. Hope it helps.
I know exactly what you are talking about! The ball of my right foot is giving me so much grief!!!! Im yet to go to the doctor......so don't know exactly what to do yet. From what you are saying its not the option I want to know about!
Harden up and go kiting!, crap excuse for not getting on the water! "Perth's only dedicated kitesurfing store" just get out there , the fun should mask the Pain.
Im Suffering the same at the moment .Apparantly its a weakness in the ankle that causes it .Straining it,putting pressure on the foot muscles . I bought a gello rigid ankle support of Ebay .Wear it couple times a week. It works ,also do more cycling.Bloody painful.Send us your email address .Iwill send pic of the support .Well worth the money.Hope it gets better.
