I have been experiencing strong pain on the outer-front of my lower leg when I run. I don’t think this caused by shin splints. It is an intense cramping pain. So, I basically stopped running and have been doing the elliptical trainer.
Today, I got a massage and the massage therapist asked if my feet always laid that way when I was on my back because I have drop foot. She said this could cause pain right where I have been experiencing it when I run.
I used to run a lot. I ran a marathon about two years ago and never experienced pain like this before.
Is it possible I have drop foot? Could I have developed it since I ran my marathon (I didn’t run much after the marathon)? I haven’t had any injury since then. What is drop foot? Is this a sign of a more serious problem?
From what I found on Google, “drop foot” is apparently a sign of something called “Exertional Compartment Syndrome.” Apparently, this can become quite serious. If this persists, I’d suggest you see a doctor soon.
Drop foot can be an issue for someone that is in the hospital or in bed for an extended amount of time. I am not a doctor and I haven’t studied any type of medicine, I’m just telling you what I remember from when I was in the hospital. I was told that what could happen is that the achilles tendon would kind of shorten up and then you’d really be in trouble.
I don’t know if there’s any way to fix the achilles once it shortens up, but I was led to believe that there is not. For a couple of months I would wear prafo boots when I was sleeping or going to be in bed for a long period. The boots are rigid and you strap your foot in; they’re almost like walking casts. The doctor eventually told me I didn’t need to wear them anymore and I haven’t noticed any problems. My physical therapist said just pulling my foot (toes) back to stretch it out would help against drop foot.