Serious foot pain - why?

[GregandJulie]

I am having a very similar problem see post below if you're interested.
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=100762
My pain is only in the toes, not really the joints. It does hurt a lot to walk. I was thinking it might be the fins/boots or how I use them. But this has only happened twice and the doctors said it was an infection. Seems quite mysterious if you ask me. Good luck to you in finding something to help with this.
Greg

 

[jduncan]

Thanks Greg. My guess is that it's NOT an infection because I was about at the end of a z-pack antibiotic for a nasty cold I had. Since the Z-pack lasts days after you are finished with the pills, one would think that I would be protected from something like a staph. I don't usually have any immune system issues. Your post is interesting and I'll keep an eye on it. Goot luck.

Jeff

 

[jduncan]

I found this on the DAN website and seems pretty close to what I have. I thought my boots/fins fit okay and I really don't know how I was finning .....
Q:

I'm a fairly new diver. I went diving for the first time a few days ago after my certification classes. When I got home, my feet were really sore and tender. It hurt to walk across the floor. Is this some sort of reaction?

A:

The hyperemic condition you've described classically portrays a condition called ‘fin foot’. DAN receives a number of calls from divers, especially new ones, with new equipment who sometimes dive in very rough conditions. The complaints include redness, swelling and occasionally ‘bruising’ around the toes that may be very tender. In some cases walking may be difficult. Symptoms usually resolve in one to two days without treatment, but may require medical evaluation.

Improper finning techniques and tight or improperly fitted booties and fins will compression of the soft tissues of the foot and toes causing the problem. Symptoms may begin to occur in hours or over the course of 24 to 48 hours.

 

[michelle2545]

JDuncan, I am having the exact same problem. I just finished my PADI certification and about 24 hours later I woke up and had a lot of pain on the bottoms of my feet. I read the information posted, but did you ever find a personal solution to this problem?

I have split fins as well and I would find it hard to imagine that i could find a gentler fin for my foot.

Thanks.

 

[liberato]

...I was about at the end of a z-pack antibiotic for a nasty cold I had.

Is it possible your really just had a bacterial respiratory infection? Azithromycin or any other antibiotic wouldn't be prescribed for a cold. Or if it was it was just for the placebo effect (bad idea). Now back to the regularly scheduled thread...

 

[TSandM]

Unfortunately, azithromycin is all too often prescribed for a bad cold . . . It shouldn't be, but it is.

No matter what kind of fin or how "friendly" it is, if it's too tight (or sometimes too loose and wobbly) it will put pressure on the soft tissues of the foot and cause damage. I had a problem with my Twin Jets in a wetsuit, because they were too big and moved around on my foot, and bruised my instep. It was quite painful.

 

[spacemanspiff862]

I have been on 4 dives after completing my PADI certification. About 24-48 hours after my dives (mostly 40 feet, occasional 55 feet) my feet hurt so bad I can barely walk on them. It's like a joint/bone pain in the ball of my foot and toes with some swelling. Goes away after about 5 days. Very painful. I have searched the net and found that it could be "fin foot" due to improper finning, or misfitting boots/fins. I am using a pair of split fins. I have no other issues and I am in fine health. Any thoughts?

Frustrated,

Jeff

Hey Jeff,

I know it has been ages since this post, but I am also experiencing something similar after my first 3 certification dives.

Were you able to determine contributing factors?

Thank you!