I am not a doctor but I can tell you from experience and being on to my fourth podiatrist that podiatry is a sketchy area. I have been told so many different things without proper examinations. What I have learned now is with the right orthotics that actually strengthen thr arch over time and by not bracing the foot with those very supportive shoes it is actually the best way forward. Maybe the bracing footwear is good when you are in crisis but they weaken the feet and you need to strengthen and create more blood flow to the area.
On this site is the tale of a podiatrist dividing the inter-metatarsal ligament to "release a trapped nerve". The inter-metatarsal ligament is an important structure, and to divide it on a purely speculative ("thumb-suck" basis without firm verification of causative pathology is indefensible malpractice..
Hi Stephie,
Unfortunately I have not had any resolution with this issue. I had an ultrasound in which the specialist told me I may have an accessory navicular bone which can cause the pain I'm experiencing, but haven't had a follow-up. Also, there wasn't any evidence of this on the MRI so I'm unsure. The MRI hasn't shown anything else, and the orthopedic specialist ruled out plantar fasciitis, posterior tibial tendonitis, and basically every other possible ailment he could think of.
it has been frustrating but i'm still hopeful that i'll figure out what's going on eventually. One thing that has been particularly scary, though, is that I'm having trouble curling my big toe. It just feels weak. The PT tried to have me build strength doing toe curls but that just makes it worse. Pretty much all activity makes my foot sore and triggers the same symtoms.
Anyway, perhaps too much information but that's where I'm at. Thanks for reaching out to me again. Keep me posted on your status, too!
Bill I cannot believe I found this conversation on the web I have been searching for something like what you're having since November I have the same exact thing and I have been in my house since November cause I can't walk well almost like you said the pain is unbelievableI am on loa from Home Depot where I work for 16 years. So far I went to the foot doctor and he gave me pain meds and some fluffy foot pads I have fibromyalgia and I thought it was that but my fibromyalgia doctor told me no it wasn't I go to pain management for my right leg this Friday I think I'll mention this to him he works by ultrasound. This week it's been so bad even taken a shower I have to sit down as soon as I'm done
Hi Bill,
Not sure you're still checking this site. I had the same symptoms as you… And after almost a year of looking into this it turned out to be peroneal tendonitis which became so bad that it pulled a small bone in my foot out of place. I knew it all along that it did not quite match Morton's neuroma or plantar fasciitis and when I finally received the diagnosis of peroneal tendinitis and looked up the symptoms I knew that was the culprit all along. The pain in the arch of my foot became so bad I had to buy an air cast and after a while even that hurt . My saving grace was finding a podiatrist who knew about the bone and simply moved it back into place ( good thing she did not tell me she was going to do that beforehand because it was fairly painful). I followed up with more physiotherapy but this time on my tendon and then the bottom of my foot could finally withstand some light massage. If I don't go for regular massage the problem starts creeping up again, so obviously tendon/leg massage is a viable treatment and solution for me. Hopefully you've already found some relief....if you haven't you have nothing to lose to try massage therapy.
As a follow-up to my last post… None of this showed up on my ultrasounds or x-rays . Ironically a year and a half later I'm finally getting my MRI next month… And I will still go because the throbbing is starting up again... Probably because I haven't gone for a massage in a while. It will be interesting to see if an MRI finds anything… Or if it's far enough along in the healing process that it won't register...
Please let me know if anything shows up on your MRI- nothing did on mine. All my tests have been clean, even when I could not walk. Thanks.
Hi Anabella! Thanks for the response. It sounds like we've had similar arch pains...similar to you, I've had MRI, Xrays, two ultrasounds, and they haven't been able to find anything. I even did an EMG and yet, nothing has been found.
Do you remember the name of the bone that was moved back into place? Was it the accessory navicular bone? Also, what type of massage therapy did you receive? I've gone to PT but sadly it hasn't helped at all, just expensive and time intensive
I don't want to give up quite yet, because I'm only 28, but it's looking pretty bleak at this point...any additional informatino you have or info you could relay from your podiatrist (specifics about the massage therapy sessions, name of the bone, etc.) would be awesome! Thank you so much for replying, I really appreciate it. Good luck! I'll continue to check the site if you have any questions for me.
Hi there! I'm sorry to hear that you've had similar problems...it's really frustrating knowing there are no answers. Sadly, I've been working my butt off in PT and going to the gym and such, but everything seems to exacerbate the foot pain. I had to walk a mile with my colleagues in Nashville the other day and I thought my foot was going to fall off afterwards
I hope you feel better...my dr hasn't mentioned fibromyalgia, but has suggested pain mgmt...maybe htey'll have answers for the both of us.
So I've been to one MRI last week for my foot and now another one today for my ankle. I don't suspect they'll find much as most of the problem seems overwith. But I'm going through with them anyways, just in case. To clarify for Bill...the bone that was out of place is called the cuboid bone. It was such a slight displacement that it did not show up on any tests - well, it may have shown up but nobody picked up on it. The only reason the podiatrist new how to treat it was from experience. She did not even look at any of my tests...she simply asked a bunch of questions while manipulating my foot .and voila! She is the only podiatrist I have ever seen, so I'm not sure how you find one with enough experience -- maybe by referral. I live in Ottawa Canada...where are you? My massage therapist is part of a bigger office owned by an osteopath. That osteopath practitioner pretty much saved my career about 8 years ago when 'regular' doctors told me I'd never walk normally again....he knew exactly what I had (symphisis pubis dysfunction) and within 8 weeks I was training for another marathon. So the massage is just intense massage (yes, it hurts) along my peroneal tendon and then lightly along bottom of foot. I don't know if there's a specific name for it, but I'll ask next time I'm there. The throbbing still happens, fewer and farther in between now, but usually when I've been standing in my kitchen for awhile on the tile floor without wearing my crocs. I found a pair of runners that work for me but have only used them on the indoor treadmill - I'm a little worried about going outside on uneven surfaces..but I am going to try once the weather lets up a little bit. Before the podiatrist found the problem, I was clueing into something I read on my xrays & ultrasounds - os peroneum. They didn't say anything was wrong with it, but I twigged onto it because it was mentioned in both the xrays and the ultrasounds. I became convinced that this had something to do with my problem. It sort of was, although I think it might have been the smaller bone beside it, called the os cuboid. I didn't get any paperwork from the podiatrist so can't refer to it. Check all the wording on your xrays & ultrasounds carefully and then google the latin stuff :-)
Check out this website: http://www.foot-pain-explored.com/causes-of-foot-pain.html ...They don't say much about peroneal tendonitis causing foot arch pain but I can attest to the fact that it does. Once that bone is out of place even by half a millimetre it can wreak havoc. I'll keep you posted once I get MRI results back...
Hi Bill,
The problem you seem to be having SOUNDS like it might be a sprain or tear of the abductor hallucis muscle or tendon. That is the muscle and tendon that runs from the inside of your heel bone to the inside of the proximal phalanx of the big toe. Basically, that muscle you feel if you rub your big toe from the main joint on the medial side of the ball of your foot back to your inner heel.
This happens a lot in sedentary people. The abductor hallucis muscle is one of the main muscles responsible for propelling us forward during our gait cycle. It also helps support a large portion of our body weight.
Many people confuse abductor hallucis muscle/tendon pain with plantar fasciitis because of the location of the pain.
I struggled with pain from my abductor hallucis muscles myself for several years. I tried "custom orthotics" from a podiatrist who did many tests on me, just to tell me that I had plantar fasciitis (which I did not have). After using the orthotics for several months, to see no results, I quit using them and quit seeing that podiatrist. After speaking with other people across the internet, I realized just how much podiatrists "guesstimate" their work.
I am not a doctor. I am just a well-read, highly informed specialist that has thousands of hours of research and training on footwear, insoles, and the anatomy and biomechanics of human feet. I usually research this stuff anywhere from 2-6 hours almost every single day, and have done so almost every single day for the last 13 years. The complexity of the human foot enthralls me. It is a fascination I've had for a long time. It's not one of those weird foot fascinations. LOL. I'm just so captivated by how complex and important this small part of our bodies can be.
I digress.
One of the best treatments for this is laser treatment sessions to help reduce the swelling and pain to promote faster healing.
The treatment that worked best for me was three-fold.
Firstly, I read up on some over-the-counter "orthotics," if you will. I have come to be a huge believer in SuperFeet Insoles now, after using them and seeing tremendous decreases in pain related to my abductor hallucis muscles. So, I would highly recommend reading up on those to find the proper fit for your foot and activity.
Secondly, icing and resting helped to lessen the pain after being on my feet all day.
Lastly, taping using kinesiology therapeutic tape (KT Tape Pro, specifically) has worked very well for me. It helps lift the skin off of swollen or inflammed muscles, tendons, and ligaments to help increase blood flow and drainage to help aid in recovery. It also provides support without reducing range of motion.
Like I said, mine wasn't one thing that solved everything. I tape using the KT Tape Pro before runs, workouts, and any time I know I will be on my feet for extended periods of time, and ice immediately afterward if I do still get any pain (which happens every once in a while), and always wear my SuperFeet insoles in the proper type of running shoes for MY foot and pronation needs. I would suggest the KT Tape and SuperFeet insoles for your walking to and from work, as well as icing at the end of the day, and elevating your feet above your heart when at home. All of this should help aid in the recovery from your pains, assuming your pain is the same as mine was, which seems like it is.
Thank you for the detailed reply, I appreciate it. If you wouldn't mind, can you elaborate on the "laser treatment sessions" you described? I have tried SuperFeet, KT tape, and icing/resting, all of which help a little bit but i'm not even close to fully recovered.
I've had kind od pain in both feet since I was 35. Now 65 and have "managed" the pain all this time. I have generalised OA eg knees feet and sciatica not a lot of fun. Had mid foot fusion in February and still have some pain but am optomistic for a good outcome however I won't have right foot dome until I'm sure it was worth it. You are young so don't leave it as long as me you've a long life ahead. I worked as a nurse front 18 years old and retired last year front health visiting. I wanted to complete my career. In hindsight I should have had the surgery sooner. Be prepared for a lengthy recovery, on one foot for at least 6 weeks. Good luck.
Hi, I've been laying almost in tears of frustration. I've had this pain on and off with peaks over the top of my pain tolerance and I fight having to take Norco if it's midnight. I'm 56. Stubborn and I know bare feet on cement cuz of pool isn't good now. You all mention what I've been through with Kaiser for last 25 epidural spinal injections due to back pain that goes to my heel/arch/Big Toes. I'm so scared sometimes. Lately the bottom turns purple that I've tooken pictures cuz it looks bad. My Look is perfect so they see me and say you look fine. My Mri's must have something for reasons they do procedures. I leave everytime feeling like I'm crazy cuz they say I'm fine, and loss weight it will help. I've had Kaiser since 1978
I've been told I have pf, but so does a lot of others. And that I have bulging disc and arthritis. And Heart Disease.
They gave me a boot to sleep in at night so my foot stay right and I don't bend it incorrectly while sleeping. The pain dosent come as often bout 50% so I just use it with my foot up on a pillow if it gets to bad in the day
Not sure what Kaiser is but I have chronic sciatica. I will be having my 3rd spinal injection on Tuesday followed by 6 sessions of acupuncture. It's crippling pain so I'm hoping for some relief.
This has helped me tremendously... I am having the worst pain in the arch of my left foot and it has purplish bruising... If I even try to touch it it hurts... I don't know if it's cause I wear sandals 95% of the time or go shoeless all together. I am in so much pain... Just frustrated
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I had mid foot fusion 6 months ago for terrible pain like you but due to arthritis. You need to find out what the cause is as could be a fracture . Good luck hope you get it sorted
Just wanted to mention that the medications for Fibro can cause pain in your feet. So can statins, antidepressants and a variety of other medications. Cymbalta had me SCREAMING in pain. It wasn't until I stopped the medication and eliminated wheat and dairy that the pain finally subsided.
Antidepressants (and Fibro meds) seem to do something to the digestive or immune system that makes common foods toxic to the body. Somehow the end result is incredible inflammation. Mine was in my feet.
I would never have believed this to be the case if I hadn't lived the experience myself. I've been off of medication for over a year and have body wide damage from their use that causes symptoms that are hard to believe were from a med targeted at neurotransmitters. Anyway, any time I eat dairy or wheat (because I miss my favorite foods), it takes MONTHS for the pain in my feet to again disappear.
I think what I've learned most is that our bodies are so complicated. Doctors fail to see the the foot is connected to the leg is connected to the torso is connected to the head... They treat symptoms based on guesses not disease based on cause or source.
Anyway, I hope this message finds you're condition much improved. If you are on Cymbalta, I invite you to join the Facebook group "Cymbalta Hurts Worse" where you'll find information about other damages these drugs are doing.