I think I was misdiagnosed...?

Question

I injured my foot during a volleyball game a month ago, by rolling my foot. I iced it on and off, but it still hurts whenever I put weight on the ball of my foot, like when I sprint, jump, and sometimes walk (I usually try to put weight on my heel, but sometimes I end up putting some on the ball). It hurts at the top (NOT the bottom) of my foot, about two inches off of my ankle. I assumed that I had sprained my foot or something, and went to get it checked out by the doctor today. However, the doctor said some stuff about how she thought I had plantar fasciitis. As I got home and read the information she printed out for me, I just realized that this was a completely stupid diagnosis on her part. It says that plantar faciitis is heel pain, due to either non supportive shoes, flat feet, high arched feet, or sudden increase in activity level. My foot has been hurting because of an actual injury- I have normal arches, I wear supportive shoes made for volleyball, and I've been playing at the same intensity level for quite awhile.

I'm slightly ticked by her diagnosis and treatment (just to get an arch support). Is there anything better I could do? I want to give as much rest and healing time to my foot as possible so I can get back on to the volleyball courts as soon as it heals. Oh, and I can't really go to another doctor at the moment, so that's kind of out of the question..

Answer 1

she is wrong. you should see another doctor.

Answer 2

Without examining you I'm in no place to contradict your provider - but with pain on the upper aspect of your foot, plantar fasciitis seems unlikely - moreso in the context of your traumatic injury.

I feel tendinous or ligamentous injury is far more likely.  I also can't really recommend you go out and play again without having an appropriate diagnosis done - so if the chance ever becomes a possibility, go see another doc.

In the meantime, stay off it.  If you must go out on it, wrap it with ace wrap in a position of support and comfort.  A good rule of thumb is that if it doesn't hurt anymore, you can probably resume activity as tolerated.  Keep taking motrin/ibuprofen as it will help with the inflammation (if it still hurts, there is still inflammation).  Typically it takes anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks to totally heal a tendon or ligament injury.

I think you are right to question the diagnosis - best of luck with the recovery.

Answer 3

Your doc was probably misled by lack of swelling or bruising.  Was there any?

Sounds like a classic sprain, and I looked for you to say you actually rolled it.  That does some muscle damage, and possible tendon damage, and sometimes pulls a ligament, which gets bad.

Do circling exercises, draw circles with the foot, and stay on it with care, if it does not swell.  Sometimes, this can last for years and be chronic anyway, and the advice I give will not be the cause.  I hope for healing with mobility.