Foot pain

[MontyW]

Hi,

First post and looking for some help with long term chronic foot pain.

Symptoms:

Pain can be in either foot. Tends to run from my big toe under the arch of my foot - high under my arch. My foot is tender when I put pressure onto the floor and this is increased when I press my big toe down. I also get some pain over the top of my foot and if I squeeze my foot across the width I get pain on the outside of my foot. I get some swelling all over my foot and around both sides of my ankle.

I get secondary pain in my calf muscle and hip joints .

At times I am unable to walk and the pain can be so bad that I cannot even have the duvet rest on my foot in bed. The pain can last a few days to weeks.

Treatment:

Ice, Ibuprofen, paracetamol and codeine rarely helps with the pain - complete rest seems to work the best.

Tests:

I have had x-rays and MRIs on both feet and both showed no issues. Even had tests for gout!

Other stuff:

I can go to bed with no foot problems and wake up with chronic pain, I can go weeks with no problems and I have no idea what triggers the foot pain, it can be totally random left or right foot...

Can anyone suggest a way forward for me?

Many thanks,

Monty

[Heidi]

I think you have a very complex problem. I don't think there is one particular cause or injury, but I wonder if you have serious biomechanical problems.

The most common of these are with the feet themselves (overpronation for example) but there may also be other problems for example with the hips which may be contributing.

The next step I would take would be to find someone who can do a full biomechanical assessment and try to correct any problems. This is usually achieved through devises such as orthotics, as well as exercise regimes to correct muscle imbalances which affect posture and movement patterns.

[MontyW]

Heidi,

Thanks for the reply - can you advise me on how I can find someone who can do a full biomechanical assessment.

Thanks,

Monty

Now found a sports injury clinic via this site that can help - Thanks!

[MontyW]

Well I have had a biomechanical assessment and problem diagnosed:

Quite extreme plantar fascia resulting in tendons being as tight as a guitar string. I'm also over pronating causing my lower leg to rotate inwards.

Looks as though some quite painful remedial deep tissue massage and some orthotics will sort out a time problem - I just wish I was given this advice so much earlier by my GP!

I'm now a lot more optimistic things can be resolved and be pain free again.

[Heidi]

Thats great news!

I'm glad things are looking up for you!

Heidi

[MontyW]

Thanks Heidi,

I really do think after such a long time I have started the road to recovery. However, no one ever told me how 'painful' massaging scar tissue could be :-)

A very valuable lesson learned - find the right professional to treat you!!!!! And thanks to this site I have.