Foot Ache/Cramp

Huy · October 8th, 2006, 07:08 PM

Does anyone know how to help my problem with my foot whenever I rollerblade? The middle of my foot aches whenever I rollerblade for more than 10 minutes.
Here's a picture of where it hurts:

Ice Ramps · October 8th, 2006, 07:47 PM

It may be something as simple as your feet are not conditioned to skating yet. but there may be other factors such as skates are not the right size, Do you have flat feet?, if so do you have some type of arch support that you use even when skating? also different brands of skates fit differently (some maybe wider or more narrow) so it may be you need to try a different skate. What are you skating on now?

Dale Campbell
www.iceramps.com

Huy · October 8th, 2006, 09:01 PM

I started skating about 3 weeks ago, I use Rollerblade's Spiritblades. No, I do not have flat feet, that picture at the top is not mine.

Edit: Btw, it only happens on my right foot.

NWGlenn · October 8th, 2006, 11:52 PM

Hi Huy: I don't have flat feet either but definitely need arch supports in my daily work boots and all my skates. In the work boots I have had to double up with an arch support insole and a three-quarter length arch support. My weak side (quicker to ache) is the left but the right will catch up if it doesn't get propped up too. Try some arch supports first, the in-soles most likely won't cut it on their own. Mid-range cost @ Wal-Mart under $10.

Hope this helps...I can empathize with foot pain.

Glenn

fablemaker2 · October 9th, 2006, 01:10 AM

The way that you walk and maintain your balance for your entire life determines partly how each of your feet "pronate" (I believe that's the word). It's the process of your foot flattening out as you step on it. In a confined space such as a skate boot, your pronating foot on the right side probably needs a different "environment". A good gel insert might help, but a visit to a chiropractor (one that specializes in feet) would be the perfect idea. Who knows, maybe your insurance covers it!

Huy · October 9th, 2006, 03:27 AM

I don't know if it's that serious that I'd need to see a chiropractor just yet

. I think I am going to try for the insoles at Wal-Mart

. My family is very poor, I've grown up in a very bad environment so I can't really afford the good expensive stuff. I also have scoliosis, my back curves to the side (more to the left).

online inline · October 9th, 2006, 04:28 PM

Hey huy, probs like this are very common at first, partially becuase people's feet are different, and fpartially becuase your feet will strengthen in time from skating.

What you have is the arch of your boot is higher than the arch of your foot. The common way of dealing with it is to rise the heel up a slight bit, and maybe even the ball of your foot too, so you take the weight off the arch area. They have neat little rubber pads (inserts) that can be slipped into the bottom of your boot for this, an dcost about fifty cents each. The best bet is to visit a skate shop and they can set you up. Make it a good skate shop that does fittings, not the big box sports stores. Or lacking that, a good ski boot shop would probably understand the issue as well.

If they are not favailable, jsut get Dr. Shculls foot bed inserts- the foamny ones, and cut them to size. Remember the idea is to get the weight off the arch, so build up the other areas to take the weight.

Soup · October 9th, 2006, 05:05 PM

Hey Hui,

I definitely agree with the suggestions above...I've been skating in hockey skates (on ice), quads, the original rollerblades, modern fitness skates and am recently new to speed skates. Since I've been skating since I was 3 years old (I'm 31 now), my feet are so thickskinned and rough they could probably withstand a powerful gunshot without me even noticing (not necessarily something to be proud of).

Before developing my "bulletproof" feet, whenever I used too much might and tie my laces extremely tight, I always found that I ended up with pain in the arches as well as the middle part of my foot opposite the arch. To avoid this problem, a doctor suggested I started using three separate laces on each skate. With that, I tie the toe area semi-tight, the middle of my foot semi-loose, and I tie the upper portion of my foot and ankle very tight. I found that using three separate laces on certain skates enables me to, in a sense, customize my fit and take pressure away from the arch, or, in my case, lack of arch.

Good luck finding the solution that works for you...

Huy · October 9th, 2006, 05:33 PM

online_inline you may be right about the pressure on the arch of my foot, in my right foot I can feel the boot (at the arch area) press into the arch of my foot. In my left boot, everything feels fine. Do you suggest, if I use the Dr. Scholl's inserts that I do for both feet?

Can anyone please link me to the foam inserts online_inline is talking about, or any other ones you guys recommend? I cannot find the ones online_inline is suggesting.

And thank you to everyone that has replied.

Soup: I have spiritblades, so I think I have laces for my toe area, velcro straps for the middle, and plastic straps for my ankles. I've tried loosening up the middle, it doesn't seem to get any looser, the weird thing is, is that my left foot feels okay where as my right foot is in tremendous pain after a couple of minutes.

online inline · October 9th, 2006, 06:32 PM

maybe sonething like this: http://www.footsmart.com/P-Adjustabl...ift-30060.aspx

fact of the matter is, probably a piece of cardboard would work- we are just trying to lft the geel of the foot up a 1/16 of an inch to maybe an 1/8 inch to get the weight on it rather than the arch. you may try the same with the ball of the foot.

Split laces is an excellent idea too. I use this method and have for several years.

Stay tuned. i will fire up digital camera and take some pics of inserts i have.

online inline · October 9th, 2006, 06:57 PM

The split laces is a better idea, and if that works, don't fool with putting things in your boot, unless you have to.

heres a shot of them on the floor. These are for pronation so they are tapered to one side, not uniform over the whole heel. You want ones that would be even, not tapered unless you pronate or suppinate.:

heres a shot of one in the boot:

And here's a regular old insole available at any pharmacy durg store thatt you could cut up to make your own:

Huy · October 9th, 2006, 10:21 PM

online_inline, you're awesome

, thanks for the pics and all your help. Next time I'm on my blades I'll definitely stop by a pharmacy to get one of those, thanks again!

Huy · October 10th, 2006, 03:58 AM

Found some old insoles in my closet, they weren't used that much. Do you suggest the thing foam insert or the soft rubber/gel insert?

online inline · October 10th, 2006, 04:16 PM

you just need a structural boost to get the arch lifted up off the arch of the boot. The rubber one probably is better becuase it will compress less, bt the foam one will work if it's thick enough. THE goal is to lift all the parts of the foot except the arch. Give it a try. In a recrational boot, this is no big deal, becuase there's room to spare, and i even have used SuperFeet insoles in a rec boot, which has a hard plaxtic footbed that support the arch nicely. Available in stores for about $22.

Huy · October 11th, 2006, 01:03 AM

Hm, tried out the foam insert, it helped me last only a little longer and then the pain comes back, I think next time, I'm going to try to loosen the laces so the sides of my skates are further apart and try the gel insert.

fablemaker2 · October 11th, 2006, 03:27 AM

Another thing to try is double lacing your skates. Tie the laces closest to your toes loosely, and the ones at the top tightly. If that doesn't work, try reversing that. Try several combinations to see which works best.

I learned this from hockey players, and it works.

Spins · October 13th, 2006, 11:35 AM

Huy,

I'd say you are experiencing a lack of arch support.

Glad to hear that foot you showed is not your own foot--note the huge swelling of the ball area. You must have found a medical photo somewhere.

Gary
o-o

***************************888

jlerp · October 13th, 2006, 01:00 PM

I had terrible pain in my right foot similar to what you describe when I first started back skating last year. I found my skate was too tight. When I loosened the laces across the toe & arch section, it was much, much better. Then I was able to skate enough for my feet to get stronger. Now, no problems at all.

Huy · October 15th, 2006, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlerp

I had terrible pain in my right foot similar to what you describe when I first started back skating last year. I found my skate was too tight. When I loosened the laces across the toe & arch section, it was much, much better. Then I was able to skate enough for my feet to get stronger. Now, no problems at all.

Awesome, that's what my friend told me too, that my foot muscles aren't adjusted to skating yet. I don't know where I placed my gel insoles, looks like I'm going to have to go get them.

online inline · October 16th, 2006, 12:28 AM

yes, i had debilitiating foot pain earlier, which i was able to work through with some help from Simmons racing boot company re-working my boots for better fit. Now the pain ahs gone away entirely, and what a relief. But i have noticed that if i tie up the lower portion of my boot really tight, i can get the pain to return. That's my message: don't tie the lower portion of your skate any tighter than it needs to be.

October 8th, 2006, 07:08 PM	#1
Huy Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 13	Foot Ache/Cramp Does anyone know how to help my problem with my foot whenever I rollerblade? The middle of my foot aches whenever I rollerblade for more than 10 minutes. Here's a picture of where it hurts:

October 8th, 2006, 09:01 PM	#3
Huy Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 13	I started skating about 3 weeks ago, I use Rollerblade's Spiritblades. No, I do not have flat feet, that picture at the top is not mine. Edit: Btw, it only happens on my right foot. Last edited by Huy; October 8th, 2006 at 11:04 PM.

October 13th, 2006, 11:35 AM	#17
Spins Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 298	Arch Support Needed? Huy, I'd say you are experiencing a lack of arch support. Glad to hear that foot you showed is not your own foot--note the huge swelling of the ball area. You must have found a medical photo somewhere. Gary o-o ***************************888 __________________ [FONT="Book Antiqua"][/FONT][I][B]The last great virtue of any civilization in decline is tolerance. [/I]--Dr. D. James Kennedy[/B]

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October 8th, 2006, 07:47 PM	#2
Ice Ramps Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: FT Bragg, NC Posts: 535	It may be something as simple as your feet are not conditioned to skating yet. but there may be other factors such as skates are not the right size, Do you have flat feet?, if so do you have some type of arch support that you use even when skating? also different brands of skates fit differently (some maybe wider or more narrow) so it may be you need to try a different skate. What are you skating on now? Dale Campbell www.iceramps.com

October 8th, 2006, 11:52 PM	#4
NWGlenn Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bremerton, WA Posts: 263	Hi Huy: I don't have flat feet either but definitely need arch supports in my daily work boots and all my skates. In the work boots I have had to double up with an arch support insole and a three-quarter length arch support. My weak side (quicker to ache) is the left but the right will catch up if it doesn't get propped up too. Try some arch supports first, the in-soles most likely won't cut it on their own. Mid-range cost @ Wal-Mart under $10. Hope this helps...I can empathize with foot pain. Glenn

October 9th, 2006, 01:10 AM	#5
fablemaker2 Pathological skater Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: LOCATION INDEED, SIR! Posts: 1,570	The way that you walk and maintain your balance for your entire life determines partly how each of your feet "pronate" (I believe that's the word). It's the process of your foot flattening out as you step on it. In a confined space such as a skate boot, your pronating foot on the right side probably needs a different "environment". A good gel insert might help, but a visit to a chiropractor (one that specializes in feet) would be the perfect idea. Who knows, maybe your insurance covers it!

October 9th, 2006, 03:27 AM	#6
Huy Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 13	I don't know if it's that serious that I'd need to see a chiropractor just yet . I think I am going to try for the insoles at Wal-Mart . My family is very poor, I've grown up in a very bad environment so I can't really afford the good expensive stuff. I also have scoliosis, my back curves to the side (more to the left).

October 9th, 2006, 04:28 PM	#7
online inline Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: seattle, WA USA Posts: 3,925	Hey huy, probs like this are very common at first, partially becuase people's feet are different, and fpartially becuase your feet will strengthen in time from skating. What you have is the arch of your boot is higher than the arch of your foot. The common way of dealing with it is to rise the heel up a slight bit, and maybe even the ball of your foot too, so you take the weight off the arch area. They have neat little rubber pads (inserts) that can be slipped into the bottom of your boot for this, an dcost about fifty cents each. The best bet is to visit a skate shop and they can set you up. Make it a good skate shop that does fittings, not the big box sports stores. Or lacking that, a good ski boot shop would probably understand the issue as well. If they are not favailable, jsut get Dr. Shculls foot bed inserts- the foamny ones, and cut them to size. Remember the idea is to get the weight off the arch, so build up the other areas to take the weight.

October 9th, 2006, 05:05 PM	#8
Soup Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Altamonte Springs, Fl Posts: 6	Hey Hui, I definitely agree with the suggestions above...I've been skating in hockey skates (on ice), quads, the original rollerblades, modern fitness skates and am recently new to speed skates. Since I've been skating since I was 3 years old (I'm 31 now), my feet are so thickskinned and rough they could probably withstand a powerful gunshot without me even noticing (not necessarily something to be proud of). Before developing my "bulletproof" feet, whenever I used too much might and tie my laces extremely tight, I always found that I ended up with pain in the arches as well as the middle part of my foot opposite the arch. To avoid this problem, a doctor suggested I started using three separate laces on each skate. With that, I tie the toe area semi-tight, the middle of my foot semi-loose, and I tie the upper portion of my foot and ankle very tight. I found that using three separate laces on certain skates enables me to, in a sense, customize my fit and take pressure away from the arch, or, in my case, lack of arch. Good luck finding the solution that works for you...

October 9th, 2006, 05:33 PM	#9
Huy Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 13	online_inline you may be right about the pressure on the arch of my foot, in my right foot I can feel the boot (at the arch area) press into the arch of my foot. In my left boot, everything feels fine. Do you suggest, if I use the Dr. Scholl's inserts that I do for both feet? Can anyone please link me to the foam inserts online_inline is talking about, or any other ones you guys recommend? I cannot find the ones online_inline is suggesting. And thank you to everyone that has replied. Soup: I have spiritblades, so I think I have laces for my toe area, velcro straps for the middle, and plastic straps for my ankles. I've tried loosening up the middle, it doesn't seem to get any looser, the weird thing is, is that my left foot feels okay where as my right foot is in tremendous pain after a couple of minutes.

October 9th, 2006, 06:32 PM	#10
online inline Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: seattle, WA USA Posts: 3,925	maybe sonething like this: http://www.footsmart.com/P-Adjustabl...ift-30060.aspx fact of the matter is, probably a piece of cardboard would work- we are just trying to lft the geel of the foot up a 1/16 of an inch to maybe an 1/8 inch to get the weight on it rather than the arch. you may try the same with the ball of the foot. Split laces is an excellent idea too. I use this method and have for several years. Stay tuned. i will fire up digital camera and take some pics of inserts i have.

October 9th, 2006, 06:57 PM	#11
online inline Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: seattle, WA USA Posts: 3,925	The split laces is a better idea, and if that works, don't fool with putting things in your boot, unless you have to. heres a shot of them on the floor. These are for pronation so they are tapered to one side, not uniform over the whole heel. You want ones that would be even, not tapered unless you pronate or suppinate.: heres a shot of one in the boot: And here's a regular old insole available at any pharmacy durg store thatt you could cut up to make your own:

October 9th, 2006, 10:21 PM	#12
Huy Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 13	online_inline, you're awesome , thanks for the pics and all your help. Next time I'm on my blades I'll definitely stop by a pharmacy to get one of those, thanks again!

October 10th, 2006, 03:58 AM	#13
Huy Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 13	Found some old insoles in my closet, they weren't used that much. Do you suggest the thing foam insert or the soft rubber/gel insert?

October 10th, 2006, 04:16 PM	#14
online inline Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: seattle, WA USA Posts: 3,925	you just need a structural boost to get the arch lifted up off the arch of the boot. The rubber one probably is better becuase it will compress less, bt the foam one will work if it's thick enough. THE goal is to lift all the parts of the foot except the arch. Give it a try. In a recrational boot, this is no big deal, becuase there's room to spare, and i even have used SuperFeet insoles in a rec boot, which has a hard plaxtic footbed that support the arch nicely. Available in stores for about $22.

October 11th, 2006, 01:03 AM	#15
Huy Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 13	Hm, tried out the foam insert, it helped me last only a little longer and then the pain comes back, I think next time, I'm going to try to loosen the laces so the sides of my skates are further apart and try the gel insert.

October 11th, 2006, 03:27 AM	#16
fablemaker2 Pathological skater Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: LOCATION INDEED, SIR! Posts: 1,570	Another thing to try is double lacing your skates. Tie the laces closest to your toes loosely, and the ones at the top tightly. If that doesn't work, try reversing that. Try several combinations to see which works best. I learned this from hockey players, and it works.

October 13th, 2006, 01:00 PM	#18
jlerp Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 5	I had terrible pain in my right foot similar to what you describe when I first started back skating last year. I found my skate was too tight. When I loosened the laces across the toe & arch section, it was much, much better. Then I was able to skate enough for my feet to get stronger. Now, no problems at all.

October 16th, 2006, 12:28 AM	#20
online inline Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: seattle, WA USA Posts: 3,925	yes, i had debilitiating foot pain earlier, which i was able to work through with some help from Simmons racing boot company re-working my boots for better fit. Now the pain ahs gone away entirely, and what a relief. But i have noticed that if i tie up the lower portion of my boot really tight, i can get the pain to return. That's my message: don't tie the lower portion of your skate any tighter than it needs to be.