The strange case of my right foot (Read 401 times)

I seem to have finally figured out this foot problem that has been nagging me since last summer. When walking or running my right foot started to spasm and would dorsiflex (curl up) on every step, but as soon as I stopped moving it quit. At first it was not bad and I just tried to ignore it, hoping it would go away. I was still able to run my races but it gradually got worse, until by December my big toe was wearing holes in the top of my shoes, my achilles tendon was straining from opposing the action, and I was forced to shift to an awkward stride, so I finally went to my doc. By then it had made running so uncomfortable that I cut back my training mileage, with predictable results. I used to like walking but now even that is an ordeal. My doc was stumped by these strange symptoms, as were an orthopedic surgeon and DPM (both sportsmedicine specialists). They sent me to a neurologist who ran some rather painful peripheral nerve tests (needles in the muscles--ouch) and ordered a complete brain/spinal MRI series (for tumors) which fortunately were negative. The diagnosis was by elimination--it turns out that the problem is not in my foot, but my head--technically a movement disorder called dystonia. Dain bramage! Unfortunately it's likely a permanent condition and there is no cure, only medications to alleviate the symptoms. I tried some and they were not helpful (BTW I learned that it is a very bad idea to take muscle relaxants before a marathon. Don't do it). Anyway I can't take them regularly because of my job. So that leaves one treatment--botox, injected into the offending muscle to paralyze it for a few weeks at a time. I got the botox shot last week. The initial dosage was low and, while my foot looks years younger it really didn't alleviate the problem. In 3 months I can get a second, stronger treatment. Meanwhile, this thing has its own schedule. It's not an injury so rest doesn't help--after my last marathon it was no worse, and after 4 weeks off it was no better. Some days it's OK, some days I can't even manage a mile, and just walking around the house is really aggravating. It's very strange thing--sitting here it's perfectly normal, but as soon as I start walking it goes haywire. And walking backwards doesn't trigger the spasms! I wonder if Trent would object if I run the Monkey backwards? Hopefully this thing has plateaued and won't get worse, and I can get enough miles in to get back to racing. I'll see how it goes.