Fearing I had torn a tendon in my foot, I saw an orthopedic surgeon who specialized in foot and ankle injuries last week.
He did 3 xrays, spent a solid 10 minutes listening as I described my injury, what I suspected led up to it and my activity levels. Then he looked at my foot and spent several minutes pulling, twisting and prodding while having me resist his efforts as he assessed my mobility and pain levels.
The great news is that I have tendonitis – likely caused by overuse. No bone fractures. No signs of a torn tendon or ligament. He recommended what I was already doing – rest, ice, advil. He also said I had high arches and should purchase good running shoes o wear when working out and walking.
He told me to go to a running store and tell them what we discussed. He said they would recommend the right type of shoe to provide cushioning and support without overcorrecting and causing other problems Then he handed me a sheet listing 4 running shops in the area.
I visited one on my way home. I told the guy I needed help. He listened to my 10 minute soliloquy on my exercise habits, my injury and my needs. Then he had me remove my shoes to walk back and forth across the store. He also looked at the wear pattern on my shoes.
After that he brought out three different pairs and said any of these would provide what I needed. He said, you have to try them on and walk around to see if any if then feel good. If they don’t, I have many other shoes you can try.
I liked 2 of the 3 options. Once again he had me walk around the store, this time in the new shoes while he observed He said my arch was supporting my foot properly, the shoes were not “collapsing in” on the arch, and that my gait and pronation looked good.
After 30 minutes I left with 2 pairs of new shoes. A few days later, I returned to purchase 2 more pairs.
This was the first time bought shoes in person in more than 10 years. I have been relying on reviews and my own brand loyalty to guide me all this time. This seemed to work well for me. But the moment I tried on the different pairs of shoes I realized I’d been making a mistake. The only real way to compare shoes is to try them on, with other models, at the same time.
It’s been 10 days since my injury Already I am able to walk several hours. The pain diminishes each day. The shoes feel great – more cushioned than my regular shoes and far more supportive.
What I learned from this experience is that sometimes there is no substitute for hands-on expert advice.
I am going to keep this in mind the next time I think about McGyvering a solution online vs going straight to an expert and (maybe) paying a little more.