Terrell, I feel your pain. I had PF a few years ago right at the stage in my running where I was feeling invincible and up for some big trail runs. I got through it with rest, that weird sock thing you sleep in, and PT. But my biggest and worst injury was probably the time I ignored some tendinitis in my knee and did a marathon but, at m…
Terrell, I feel your pain. I had PF a few years ago right at the stage in my running where I was feeling invincible and up for some big trail runs. I got through it with rest, that weird sock thing you sleep in, and PT. But my biggest and worst injury was probably the time I ignored some tendinitis in my knee and did a marathon but, at mile 10, the vastus medialis and the hamstring basically said, nope, we've had enough--and both tore. That took a lot of PT and ultimately arthroscopy for some cartilage trouble. Psychologically, it was very challenging. I was in my late 20s and had developed what I now recognize as an unhealthy dependence on identifying myself as a runner. Deprived of daily exercise, I really worried about weight gain and losing fitness. Clearly, those concerns had driven me to keep training even when I had tendinitis, and caused the injury in the first place. Injuries will happen. That's a fact (I think!). I believe experience (and age!) has taught me how to redirect my energies and how to stick to PT and preventive PT and keep calm during the injured phase of life.
This is so helpful, Henriette -- and I can totally see myself doing the same thing, telling myself I can keep going, because when you're in your 20s you're invincible, right? "My body can take anything!" 😃 As we learn later, it starts taking longer to bounce back! One quick question: what is the sock thing you mention, that you sleep in for PF?
I forget the name but it's basically a sock that has a strap attached to the toe. You pull that strap up and attach it to the top of your shin (the sock has some velcro or something I think), and it keeps your toes pulled back towards your shin, which apparently keeps the fascia from shortening up again in the night (and tightening up). Does anyone remember the name of this thing?
No problem. I used one for years (although I would always take it off in my sleep and find it tangled in the sheets at the bottom of the bed). Years ago, I had PF that shifted feet back and forth for a long time. Not sure what finally kicked it, but I think it was a combination of (1) consistent resistance training, (2) arch support inserts in my running shoes (just the green superfeet, typically, although I've recently moved to a foam insert that forms around your feet), and (3) over-the-counter inserts in my everyday work shoes. Not sure if the sock helped or not!
Currex inserts are worth trying, too. I find the Currex ones to have a profile closer to that of the original shoe insert so you get a fit that's pretty identical to the way the shoe is sized.
Terrell, I feel your pain. I had PF a few years ago right at the stage in my running where I was feeling invincible and up for some big trail runs. I got through it with rest, that weird sock thing you sleep in, and PT. But my biggest and worst injury was probably the time I ignored some tendinitis in my knee and did a marathon but, at mile 10, the vastus medialis and the hamstring basically said, nope, we've had enough--and both tore. That took a lot of PT and ultimately arthroscopy for some cartilage trouble. Psychologically, it was very challenging. I was in my late 20s and had developed what I now recognize as an unhealthy dependence on identifying myself as a runner. Deprived of daily exercise, I really worried about weight gain and losing fitness. Clearly, those concerns had driven me to keep training even when I had tendinitis, and caused the injury in the first place. Injuries will happen. That's a fact (I think!). I believe experience (and age!) has taught me how to redirect my energies and how to stick to PT and preventive PT and keep calm during the injured phase of life.
This is so helpful, Henriette -- and I can totally see myself doing the same thing, telling myself I can keep going, because when you're in your 20s you're invincible, right? "My body can take anything!" 😃 As we learn later, it starts taking longer to bounce back! One quick question: what is the sock thing you mention, that you sleep in for PF?
I forget the name but it's basically a sock that has a strap attached to the toe. You pull that strap up and attach it to the top of your shin (the sock has some velcro or something I think), and it keeps your toes pulled back towards your shin, which apparently keeps the fascia from shortening up again in the night (and tightening up). Does anyone remember the name of this thing?
It's a Strassburg sock
That's it! That's the name!
Thank you, Steve!
No problem. I used one for years (although I would always take it off in my sleep and find it tangled in the sheets at the bottom of the bed). Years ago, I had PF that shifted feet back and forth for a long time. Not sure what finally kicked it, but I think it was a combination of (1) consistent resistance training, (2) arch support inserts in my running shoes (just the green superfeet, typically, although I've recently moved to a foam insert that forms around your feet), and (3) over-the-counter inserts in my everyday work shoes. Not sure if the sock helped or not!
Currex inserts are worth trying, too. I find the Currex ones to have a profile closer to that of the original shoe insert so you get a fit that's pretty identical to the way the shoe is sized.