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Marcher's digitalgia paresthetica among recruits
M Stein1, N Shlamkovitch, A Finestone
1Israel Defense Forces, Medical Corps., Jerusalem, Israel.
Foot & Ankle
|June 1, 1989
Summary
Marcher's digitalgia paresthetica, a nerve condition, affected nearly half of military recruits during training. Symptoms often resolved within nine months, suggesting a temporary nerve injury called neuropraxia.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Neurology
- Military Health
Background:
- Digitalgia paresthetica, or marcher's foot, is a common complaint among individuals engaged in extensive walking.
- Understanding the incidence and characteristics of this condition in military recruits is crucial for maintaining troop readiness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence and clinical features of digitalgia paresthetica in Israeli military recruits undergoing training.
- To determine the nature of the nerve condition and its prognosis.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study was conducted on 30 male Israeli military recruits.
- Data collected included symptom onset, affected toes, bilaterality, and footwear.
- Follow-up assessments were performed at nine months.
Main Results:
- A 47% incidence of digitalgia paresthetica was observed, with symptom onset around the fourth week of training.
- Numbness was frequently bilateral (11/14 cases), involving an average of 4.5 toes, most commonly the first toe.
- No correlation was found between shoe type (running shoes vs. military boots) and symptom development.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest that marcher's digitalgia paresthetica is likely a neuropraxia, a transient nerve injury.
- The condition appears to develop during the initial stages of intensive march training, particularly when recruits adapt to carrying heavy loads.