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shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 592
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 31, 2003 - 10:59 am: | 
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I have this little problem. Well, not little actually. My (kinda big) feet are killing me.
I don't run, I don't wear high heels (except on rare occasions), and it doesn't matter if I walk or not, if I wear sneakers or not, my feet ache.
I went to a podiatrist a few years ago and got fitted for an orthotic (he couldn't tell me what the problem was) but then there was an insurance glitch (long story) and I never got it.
I'm not heavy, but I did gain close to 50 lbs each pregnancy (there were 3, my youngest is 15 months), but lost the weight within 6 months. Even still, my heaviest weight was not that heavy (maybe 155, and I'm 5' 7'').
I have slight bunions (ok, not that slight—how can anything be slight on a foot that's a size 8.5/9?) but the pain is mostly in my right foot, between the toes and slightly below the toes. (My right foot is also a little smaller than my left.)
I would go back and spend $400 on an orthotic if I thought it would really help, but I'm not convinced. I know I've heard about the joints loosening during pregnancy, could this be causing the pain?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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oots
Citizen
Username: Oots
Post Number: 85
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 31, 2003 - 11:42 am: |
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shh
do you have flat feet? my feet are flat as a board-i cannot stand comfortable for long periods and walking long distances can be uncomfortable. i am now using dr scholl's arch supports (about $10) and they have helped quite a bit. the good doc has many shoe type inserts-try them.
oots |
shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 593
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 31, 2003 - 11:50 am: |
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I don't think they're flat, but I don't have a high arch either. Thanks, I'll check them out.
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softparade
Citizen
Username: Softparade
Post Number: 65
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 31, 2003 - 1:12 pm: |
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I would check with another doctor- you may have a condition with the plantar-faschia(sp)a type of inflammation -in that case - none of the shoe inserts will help.
There have been numerous stories on the news and net regarding this- take a look about and -good luck. |
Seagull
Citizen
Username: Seagull
Post Number: 27
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 31, 2003 - 2:19 pm: |
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Is the pain between 2 or 3 toes or just across that part of the foot in general?
My mom had some kind of nerve bundle (or knot- I can't remember, I was little!) but it was between 2 of her toes & caused her pain across the ball of her foot whenever she was on her feet for an extended length of time. She eventually had it removed & never had trouble with it again.
Hope this isn't the problem, and that you find an easy fix for it!
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shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 594
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 31, 2003 - 3:33 pm: |
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It's pretty much between the 3 middle toes, though the big toe and pinky toe aren't perfect.
I will try to do some research regarding that plantar faschia. Ya' never know. Any podiatrist recs? I think there was a thread on this awhile back, but I didn't see it in the "Please Help" section. |
shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 595
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 31, 2003 - 3:49 pm: |
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Taken from "ourfootdoctor.com" This sounds a little like my problem.
Neuroma
Description: A neuroma, or Morton's Neuroma, is a benign soft tissue mass which forms on the nerve which runs between the metatarsals, in the ball of the foot. When two metatarsal bones are squeezed together, they pinch the nerve that runs between them. This squeezing together of the metatarsal bones is usually a result of: narrow shoes, high heel shoes, injury, or a biomechanical defect of the foot (such as loose ligaments; pronation, a turning of the foot outward, so that you walk more on the inner border of the foot; or aches which are too flat or high).
Symptoms: The most common symptoms of a neuroma are the following:
1. pain in the ball of the foot, radiating into the webspace between the toes, and sometimes into the toes themselves;
2. the pain can be sharp, burning, or tingling in nature;
3. the pain is usually present when wearing some shoes (especially tapered dress shoes), and gradually goes away when the shoes are removed;
4. numbness in adjacent toes;
5. when the neuroma is large, patients complain that they can feel a "clicking" between the affected metatarsals;
6. swelling of the area.
Depending on the size and location of the neuroma, patients may experience some, or all of these symptoms.
Pain relievers:
1. Custom-made orthotics with a Morton's Extension not only relieves the pain, but will also correct the biomechanical defects which may be the reason the neuroma is present. Our orthotics are comfortable, and are made of space-age, lightweight materials; they gently support the arch; and will fit in most shoes.
2. Wear wider shoes with a padded innersole. Women should wear flat shoes.
3. At night, apply ice to the painful areas (avoid ice directly on the toes) for 10 to 20 minutes. If the cold becomes uncomfortable, remove the ice immediately. Follow this with a gentle massage of the area with a warm linament.
4. If you can tolerate Advil or Motrin, take one of these as directed. These medications not only reduce pain, but will also decrease the nerve inflammation.
5. If you are a diabetic, or have poor circulation, or if the area is inflammed, or if you have intense pain, see a podiatrist immediately!
Treatment: There are several methods of treatment, including: wearing wider shoes, with flat heels; injections of cortisone; physical therapy; surgical removal; and custom-made orthotics with a Morton's Extension. In 30 years of practice, I have found that the only successful conservative method of treatment is acheived through wearing custom-made orthotics with a Morton's Extension. This extension prevents the metatarsals from pinching the nerve, thus relieving the pain, and in most cases allowing the body to absorb the neuroma. Our custom-made orthotics will give you pain relief, without undergoing surgery. |
Joan
Citizen
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 1814
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 31, 2003 - 5:22 pm: |
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I was having a great deal of trouble with my back and my feet a few years ago. A friend suggested that I try wearing Mephesto walking shoes. They made a huge difference.
In the summer, I wear Mephesto sandals. The additional air to the feet and lack of pressure on the sorest points really helps.
These shoes can be expensive but a single pair costs far less than the $400. you quoted for an orthotic. |
Lizziecat
Citizen
Username: Lizziecat
Post Number: 13
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, July 31, 2003 - 8:52 pm: |
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If you decide to see a podiatrist, Drs. Robert Hutchison and Glenn A. Davison, 1308 Morris Ave, Union, are the best around. Dr. James Byrne, who, alas, retired a few months ago, and was absolutely the best podiatrist in the entire world, referred all of his patients to them. I've seen Dr. Hutchison and am happy with him. |
viva
Citizen
Username: Viva
Post Number: 274
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, August 1, 2003 - 12:45 pm: |
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sounds like your metatarsal bone might be involved.
http://www.foot.com/info/cond_metatarsalgia.jsp |
papayagirl
Citizen
Username: Papayagirl
Post Number: 95
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Friday, August 1, 2003 - 8:59 pm: |
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It doesn't sound like you have plantar fasciitis, which is also known as heel spurs. I have it in both feet, and my pain has always been in the ball or arch of the foot. For more info, i've always found http://heelspurs.com to be very helpful.
And for what it's worth, i got orthotics because of the PF a few months ago, and they've done wonders. And my insurance (UnitedHealthcare) actually paid for them. Others i know on Oxford and Blue Cross Blue Shield have had to pay for theirs out of their pockets.
I hope you find the cause of your problem soon - foot pain is no fun! |
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