Question
Dear David,

My 19 yr. old son is complaining of foot pain, and after some research on the Internet we know it is the fifth metacarpal head that seems the most tender. Ryan has recently started running for exercise; but I am afraid he overdid it--6 miles per day! But he has been in pain ever since his last run over two weeks ago.

Is RICE and time is all we can do? How long can he expect to be in pain? It is not swollen or bruised-looking now.

Would it help to wrap or tape the area? Or would that only help to prevent future foot injuries?

I have been looking on-line to find out how to properly wrap or tape a foot; but have been unsuccessful on any really useful information. Some say use a figure 8 (which I imagine to mean around the foot and the ankle) and some say something about the number 6--I can't picture how that would work.

In addition to the four questions above; what I would like are specific instructions on how to wrap his foot to help ease his pain or, barring that, how to wrap his foot to reduce the liklihood of an injury like that happening again after he feels better and is running again.

I would very much appreciate your help and expertise. Thank you.

Lori

Answer
Hello Lori

After two weeks, and the pain has not yet gone away, it is time to go see a Podiatrist. Applying a wrap will only give temporary relief to the problem. And a wrap restricts the blood flow. Not a good idea.

Your podiatrist will probably inject a local cortozone shot to the injury.

Make sure your son also does good stretching exercises before he runs. Tight muscles will easily injure when running.

The best way to keep your son from future injuries is to do strength-training exercises to make the body stronger.

If you need any help with stretching exercises and/or strength training exercises, please write again.

Hope he is better soon. I am well aware of how painful feet injuries are!