“Foot Turning Inward”
Hi, I run on my treadmill daily and notice for the past two months when i walk sometimes I experience a slight pain in the outside of my right leg and it causes my foot to turn inward and bump into my other foot. It doesn't always happen but has started to concern me. What is happening?
Female | 51 years old
Complaint duration: 2 months
Medications: levitericitam
Conditions: benign brain tumor
3 Answers
PhysicalTherapistLegpain
The symptoms you’re describing—pain on the outside of your right leg, along with your foot turning inward and bumping into your other foot—could be related to a few potential issues. Here are some common causes to consider:
1. Peroneal Nerve Irritation or Compression
The peroneal nerve runs down the outside of your leg and controls the muscles that lift your foot (dorsiflexion) and stabilize it. If this nerve becomes compressed or irritated, you can experience:
Pain or discomfort on the outside of the leg (near the fibula bone).
Difficulty controlling the foot, which can cause it to turn inward or drag slightly.
A sensation of weakness or ""foot drop"" in more severe cases.
Why it happens:
Repetitive activities like running can sometimes cause irritation or compression of the peroneal nerve (e.g., from tight muscles, swelling, or footwear pressing against the nerve).
Running on a treadmill might cause overuse or repetitive strain in this area.
2. Weak or Tight Peroneal Muscles
The peroneal muscles (longus and brevis) run along the outside of your lower leg. Weakness, overuse, or tightness in these muscles can cause:
Pain along the outside of the leg.
Instability in the ankle, which might make your foot roll inward or bump into your other foot while walking.
Tightness can exacerbate poor foot control during weight-bearing activities.
3. Gait Issues or Biomechanical Imbalances
If there’s any imbalance in your gait (how you walk or run), it can lead to pain and altered movement patterns. For example:
Overpronation (foot rolling inward too much).
Muscle imbalances in the hips, glutes, or ankles, which may throw off your alignment.
This could explain why you notice it intermittently, especially if your muscles fatigue after frequent treadmill running.
4. Early Signs of Overuse Injury
Conditions like peroneal tendinitis or iliotibial (IT) band syndrome can cause pain on the outside of the leg.
Overuse injuries develop gradually, often due to repetitive stress, such as running daily without enough recovery.
What to Do Next
Rest and Assess:
Take a break from the treadmill for a few days to see if symptoms improve.
Check Your Shoes:
Ensure you’re wearing proper running shoes with good arch and ankle support. Poor footwear can exacerbate these issues.
Strengthening and Stretching:
Stretch and strengthen the peroneal muscles, ankles, and hips. Exercises like ankle circles, resistance band work, or single-leg balance can help.
Foam Rolling or Massage:
Gently massage the outside of your lower leg and calf to relieve tightness.
Consult a Specialist:
If the issue persists or worsens, consider seeing a physical therapist or sports medicine doctor for a thorough gait assessment and possible nerve evaluation. They can determine if nerve compression, muscle imbalance, or biomechanics are contributing to your symptoms.
Your description suggests nerve involvement or muscle instability, especially since your foot movement is affected. It’s great that you’re catching this early. I’d recommend taking a break, addressing the potential causes, and getting a professional evaluation if it continues.
1. Peroneal Nerve Irritation or Compression
The peroneal nerve runs down the outside of your leg and controls the muscles that lift your foot (dorsiflexion) and stabilize it. If this nerve becomes compressed or irritated, you can experience:
Pain or discomfort on the outside of the leg (near the fibula bone).
Difficulty controlling the foot, which can cause it to turn inward or drag slightly.
A sensation of weakness or ""foot drop"" in more severe cases.
Why it happens:
Repetitive activities like running can sometimes cause irritation or compression of the peroneal nerve (e.g., from tight muscles, swelling, or footwear pressing against the nerve).
Running on a treadmill might cause overuse or repetitive strain in this area.
2. Weak or Tight Peroneal Muscles
The peroneal muscles (longus and brevis) run along the outside of your lower leg. Weakness, overuse, or tightness in these muscles can cause:
Pain along the outside of the leg.
Instability in the ankle, which might make your foot roll inward or bump into your other foot while walking.
Tightness can exacerbate poor foot control during weight-bearing activities.
3. Gait Issues or Biomechanical Imbalances
If there’s any imbalance in your gait (how you walk or run), it can lead to pain and altered movement patterns. For example:
Overpronation (foot rolling inward too much).
Muscle imbalances in the hips, glutes, or ankles, which may throw off your alignment.
This could explain why you notice it intermittently, especially if your muscles fatigue after frequent treadmill running.
4. Early Signs of Overuse Injury
Conditions like peroneal tendinitis or iliotibial (IT) band syndrome can cause pain on the outside of the leg.
Overuse injuries develop gradually, often due to repetitive stress, such as running daily without enough recovery.
What to Do Next
Rest and Assess:
Take a break from the treadmill for a few days to see if symptoms improve.
Check Your Shoes:
Ensure you’re wearing proper running shoes with good arch and ankle support. Poor footwear can exacerbate these issues.
Strengthening and Stretching:
Stretch and strengthen the peroneal muscles, ankles, and hips. Exercises like ankle circles, resistance band work, or single-leg balance can help.
Foam Rolling or Massage:
Gently massage the outside of your lower leg and calf to relieve tightness.
Consult a Specialist:
If the issue persists or worsens, consider seeing a physical therapist or sports medicine doctor for a thorough gait assessment and possible nerve evaluation. They can determine if nerve compression, muscle imbalance, or biomechanics are contributing to your symptoms.
Your description suggests nerve involvement or muscle instability, especially since your foot movement is affected. It’s great that you’re catching this early. I’d recommend taking a break, addressing the potential causes, and getting a professional evaluation if it continues.
The inward turning of your foot, accompanied by pain on the outside of your leg, may indicate a gait issue or muscle imbalance, potentially involving nerve irritation or weakness. Considering your history of a benign brain tumor, consult a neurologist or orthopedic specialist promptly to evaluate and address the underlying cause.
Very good question.
How you step actually does matter for your health, especially if you participate in sports, like running.
One way your foot can move when you step is called overpronation. Overpronation means that your foot rolls inward as you move. If you overpronate, the outer edge of your heel hits the ground first, and then your foot rolls inward onto the arch. Pronation refers to the flattening of your feet. So, if you overpronate, you overly flatten your feet.
As your arch flattens and stretches, your muscles, tendons, and ligaments are strained. You may be at a higher risk of developing certain injuries.
ankle sprains
shin splints
achilles tendinitis
heel spurs
plantar fasciitis
What needs to be done. Definitely manual ankle mobilizations, electrical modalities for pain modulation and building muscle tone by strengthening certain intrinsic group of muscles. Balance/coordination is a vital part since there is a brain tumor. Also very important therapeutic activities especially while on Treadmill and off the treadmill.
How you step actually does matter for your health, especially if you participate in sports, like running.
One way your foot can move when you step is called overpronation. Overpronation means that your foot rolls inward as you move. If you overpronate, the outer edge of your heel hits the ground first, and then your foot rolls inward onto the arch. Pronation refers to the flattening of your feet. So, if you overpronate, you overly flatten your feet.
As your arch flattens and stretches, your muscles, tendons, and ligaments are strained. You may be at a higher risk of developing certain injuries.
ankle sprains
shin splints
achilles tendinitis
heel spurs
plantar fasciitis
What needs to be done. Definitely manual ankle mobilizations, electrical modalities for pain modulation and building muscle tone by strengthening certain intrinsic group of muscles. Balance/coordination is a vital part since there is a brain tumor. Also very important therapeutic activities especially while on Treadmill and off the treadmill.
