lack of extension causing foot pain? (other leg!)

[nick157]

Sorry this is so long. If anyone has experienced pain in the foot of the opposite leg following ACL reconstruction please read on!

I’m struggling slightly with extension on my operated leg following ACLR 13 months ago. I am back playing football 3 times per week but over the last month I have started to experience an increasingly painful foot on my non-operated leg. Having done some reading regarding foot problems, it sounds like I have either capsulitis or metatarsalgia, in the region of the 2nd metatarsal. However, unlike these two conditions the pain I have is towards the top of the foot, not the bottom as suggested by many sites.

Has anyone else experienced anything like this as a result of lack of extension? It could be completely unrelated, but it does seem a coincidence seeing as I know I’m not walking properly and I was limping for a good 6 months after the surgery. I can get slight hyperextension after resting the operated leg up, but I have a desk job and experience quite severe lack of extension when getting up to walk after a few hours sat down.

I have seen a foot specialist regarding this and he agreed that it is the “way I am walking” putting too much pressure on the ball of the foot, but I don’t think he really appreciated the effect of the lack of extension. He suggested rest and more comfortable shoes. Would it be worth going back to my knee OS or would he know nothing about feet?

I rested the foot for about 3 weeks and returned to football again this week as it was feeling better but the pain has flared up again (only worse) and isn’t showing any signs of subsiding. Very frustrating considering I sat out for 15 months after the initial ACL rupture. I am now literally hobbling everywhere I go. Not much fun after a successful knee surgery and subsequent recovery I’m sure you will agree!

What confuses me is that I have been playing football with no problems for 6 months now – could it be a problem that’s been building up over time?

I anyone has any thoughts or similar experiences of this; I would love to hear from you. I did do a search on “foot” on this board and found some promising stuff but don’t have the time to read every post!

Thanks in advance.

Nick

[Nick_Knack]

until i regained full extension, I had ongoing issues w/: (drum roll please)


1) opposite side achilles tendon

2) posterior superior iliac spine [opposite side of problematic knee] (i am showing off, that is the dimple in the lower back over the butt)

3) and same side tightness behind knee.

After extension is regained, all these symptoms happened to disappear w/ the exception of the tightness which is present at 5% pre full extension days.


Moral of story: do everything in your power to get full extension back.  I would hold off on football till these issues are resolved and you restore proper mechanics.

best of luck,

Nick

[mailman605]

Different knee problem but same result.  The way I walk has caused foot pain in both feet..  I have had tendonitis and stress fractures as a result. Do you feel a difference in the level of pain when you walk barefoot vs with shoes on?  Does your pain begin when you get out of bed or does it increase throughout the day with activity?

[Jakem]

As Nick recommended you need to get the extension corrected surgically.  It is either scar tissue or a misplaced ACL graft.

The metatarsal problem is probably not related but may be.  When playing football you are running and you don't need full extension.  You need full extension to walk properly as you know all too well.  The metatarsal problem may be a stress fracture.

If you don't get the extension problem taken care of your abnormal walk will cause permanent cartilage damage under the knee cap on both surfaces.

[nick157]

Thanks for the responses guys. Jakem - great point about not needing full extension when running, that hadn't occured to me. Unfortunately, currently I spend almost an hour a day walking too and from work which cannot be avoided so I agree the key is to regain extension. As I mentioned, it's not that far short, just a few degrees (and I am happy with the hyperextension I can achieve when I've warmed the tissue up). I guess I have been a little lax with the physio in this regard. I don't think it is as serious as Arthrofibrosis.

My OS did say he "had tightened me up" and I'm 100% confident there is no misplacement of ACL graft. I think I will go with the "little and often" with regard to pushing the extension. I did have the foot X-rayed as I suspected a fracture but was told it was simply soft tissue damage.

[mailman605]

If you only had an x-ray a stress fracture could be missed. Stress fractures are more commonly diagnosed with a bone scan. My x-rays were clear, but the bone scan showed stress fractures.

[Lissa]

I too am having bad foot pain in my right (good) leg.   I began wearing shoes that had better arch support and that seems to be doing the trick.  However, after reading these posts, I may just get an X-Ray done to make sure its not a stress fracture......like thats all I need!