Sore Feet After Sprints

Sprinters are faster than most people, perhaps because they are born with a different bone structure than ordinary people. At least that's what Stephen Piazza, associate professor of Kinesiology at Penn State University, suggests, stating that competitive sprinters have longer bones in their forefeet and shorter tendon lever arms in the Achilles tendons than ordinary runners. While this offers sprinters a competitive advantage when running, with time the constant strain and maximum effort required of sprinters can lead to unwanted side effects, including sore feet. Other chronic injuries, including overuse injuries, commonly contribute to sore feet among sprinters despite the durability of a sprinter’s uniquely designed foot.

  1. Plantar Fasciitis

    • The American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine suggests that heel pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints among patients, including sprinters coming into podiatrists throughout the United States, commonly resulting from plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is more commonly known by the heel pain it causes sprinters, especially first thing in the morning or after long periods of rest. Wearing worn-out shoes can contribute to this condition; it's important to wear shoes that provide ample stability to help prevent plantar fasciitis. Too much training can also contribute to this condition among sprinters.

    Achilles Tendinopathy

    • An article published in “Primary Care Sports Medicine” and “Pediatrics & Internal Sports Medicine” highlights the frequency of a condition known as Achilles tendonitis, also commonly known as bursitis, tendonitis or tendinitis, among sprinters and other runners. This condition causes pain, swelling and irritation along the Achilles tendon often for months at a time, with symptoms beginning gradually as pain moving through the arc of the foot. Preventive care includes static stretching, while treatment may include rest, ultrasound, massage and active-release techniques performed by a qualified therapist.

    Nerve Entrapment

    • Nerve entrapment, pinched nerves or numbness and tingling may also occur among sprinters. Signs and symptoms of nerve entrapment may include numbness or tingling in the foot, toe or leg, sharp pain or burning in the foot that may radiate out into the calf or leg, tingling or pins and needles feeling in the foot, toes or calf, and muscle weakness that progresses. Sprinters may also feel that their foot or toes have fallen asleep. Symptoms that do not resolve may require the care of a qualified health care professional. Sometimes a pinched nerve is simply the result of wearing the wrong pair of shoes, as compression may result from shoes, particularly if you have a foot with a higher arch.

    Stress Fractures

    • Stress fractures may result from overtraining, and more commonly occur suddenly, but not from a sudden trauma as you might expect. More often stress fractures result from overuse and training too much, hence the term “stress” fracture. If your foot suddenly swells up during training or you experience foot pain in one foot but not another and can’t remember a specific injury, a visit to the podiatrist may be necessary to rule out a stress fracture from sprinting.