UAN:221 Article type:--Symptoms You’ll normally feel numbness down the insides of the third and fourth toes, and pain under the ball of the foot which gets worse as you run. Although it may feel like walking on pebbles in shoes it is often relieved

UAN:226 Article type:--SymptomsPain under the heel centre at the origin of the plantar fascia. This is a fan-like web of tough fibres which spreads across the underside of the foot and attaches to the origins of the toes, and its main purpose

of your foot. Move your foot up and down and from side to side against the band’s resistance to exercise different muscle groups. Many sports shops stock elasticated resistance bands (eg Clinabands).An even simpler approach is to sit on a table or chair

UAN: 217 Article type:--SymptomsAlthough any force from the outside may sprain the medial collateral, the usual cause in runners is a twisting of the knee while the foot is stuck in a pothole or if the foot has suddenly slipped on a greasy surface

.SignsYou’ll probably find that the area swells or has visible blood under the skin, and that a Thompson’s Test (in which the doctor squeezes your calf while you lie face-down with your lower leg hanging off the couch) won’t produce foot movement. The break in your

, and pronation syndromes of the foot.Self-treatmentRICE, periodically, for the first 48 hours at least. Later, gradual stretching and strengthening, as with any other muscle injury.Medical treatmentUltrasound and, in the convalescent stage, massage by a

of the foot.Self-treatmentRICE as usual, but ice to reduce inflammation and elevation to eliminate gravity are the most appropriate. As it settles, gradually stretching the calf will speed healing, while you should also look back over your training diary for a

UAN:216 Article type:--SymptomsThis is a stress fracture of the second (or sometimes third) metatarsal. You’ll feel pain in the middle of the long bone(s) of your foot, which will slowly increase with distance, reaching a crescendo as you end your

UAN:151 Article type:--SymptomsYou’ll feel pain of course, particularly as you take off from the injured leg, and also after sleep when you first stretch the slightly-healed scar tissue that has formed overnight (a ‘drop-foot splint’ can keep

or bouncing a ball while standing on the injured foot. You should start this as rapidly as possible after 48 hours.Medical treatmentIf your ligament is completely ruptured (if it is, you probably won’t be able to bear weight or fully point your toes