Foot problem - has anyone run into this?

[Scuba]

It all started when my favorite running/walking shoes wore out and I couldn’t buy the same ones. I went to a running store even though I walk because I had tried a couple of shoes bought online and they gave me blisters. I went through 4 pairs and finally stuck with ASICS Kayano shoes.

The shoes still gave me blisters on the bottom edges of the insides of my feet on both sides. I went to a podiatrist and he suggested orthotics. Bought those and put them in. The good news is the blisters went away. The bad news is I started having foot pain, especially in my left foot.

The outside and sole of my left foot swelled up so I went back to the podiatrist. He didn’t seem to know what to do, so I found another highly rated podiatrist. He gave me an anti-inflammatory injection, taped up my foot, and told me I should ice it twice/day and I could resume normal activity in a couple of days.

A week later, I’m still taping and icing my foot, and the swelling is still there. It feels like a hard lump on the underside/outside of my left foot. I’m going back to the podiatrist next Tuesday but this is really frustrating.

Anyone else experience a weird lump on their foot after trying orthotics? How did you solve the problem?

 

[Conundrum]

Rather than going to a podiatrist I go to a board certified pedorthist “C-Ped”

https://www.abcop.org/individual-certification/Pages/pedorthist.aspx


I tried a podiatrist and the orthotics just did not work for me. I also got pain on the outer edge of the foot and it was a matter of a little grinding on the footbed by the pedorthist and all was good. I have been wearing orthotics for about 20 yrs. When I get a new pair every 5 yrs or so I always seem to have 2-3 return visits to have the footbeds tweaked. Hope this helps.

Take a look at Brooks running shoes. They work great with my footbeds.

 

[Freedom56]

Consider getting an X-ray to rule out any hairline fractures or other injuries. I would see an orthopaedics specialist instead of a podiatrist.

 

[splitwdw]

...The outside and sole of my left foot swelled up so I went back to the podiatrist. He didn’t seem to know what to do, so I found another highly rated podiatrist. He gave me an anti-inflammatory injection, taped up my foot, and told me I should ice it twice/day and I could resume normal activity in a couple of days.

A week later, I’m still taping and icing my foot, and the swelling is still there. It feels like a hard lump on the underside/outside of my left foot. I’m going back to the podiatrist next Tuesday but this is really frustrating...

What did the second podiatrist say it was or did he just inject your foot without knowing what the problem was?

 

[Bamaman]

My wife has mid foot arthritis, and needs a fusion on both feet. But she first had a knee replacement and has sworn off future surgeries of any kind.

We found podiatrists to be easy to find, and ours is quick to do surgery. We found a foot specialist/orthopaedic surgeon using MRIs to know exactly the problem before scheduling surgery.

You should seek out an orthopedic surgeon that is a foot specialist. They are relatively hard to find as there are just aren't many around. But better to for the best.

 

[ExFlyBoy5]

Consider getting an X-ray to rule out any hairline fractures or other injuries. I would see an orthopaedics specialist instead of a podiatrist.

I would agree with this. Have a family member that had issues for almost 3 years before they finally found a hairline fracture. I believe he had seen 4 docs before they found the issue. Seems hard to believe, but apparently it's a common issue.

 

[Amethyst]

I agree with this. Your body is a whole system, your foot is just part of that system. An orthopedist should be looking at how the whole system could be affecting your feet.

As an example (and I'm not saying this applies to OP), a few years ago my feet started to hurt when I got out of bed. Since I was over 55, the stock medical answer was "All part of Getting Older, Dear." Wasn't buying that one.

I looked at myself as a system. What had changed recently? Well, for one thing, my weight had increased from my adult average of 134, to 140 pounds. No Dr. would be concerned over such a small gain. However, I read that every extra pound you gain = 5 pounds of added pressure on your feet. So I lost six pounds (30 extra pounds of pressure on feet) and voila, the foot pain went away.

My wife has mid foot arthritis, and needs a fusion on both feet. But she first had a knee replacement and has sworn off future surgeries of any kind.

We found podiatrists to be easy to find, and ours is quick to do surgery. We found a foot specialist/orthopaedic surgeon using MRIs to know exactly the problem before scheduling surgery.

You should seek out an orthopedic surgeon that is a foot specialist. They are relatively hard to find as there are just aren't many around. But better to for the best.

 

[haha]

I looked at myself as a system. What had changed recently? Well, for one thing, my weight had increased from my adult average of 134, to 140 pounds. No Dr. would be concerned over such a small gain. However, I read that every extra pound you gain = 5 pounds of added pressure on your feet. So I lost six pounds (30 extra pounds of pressure on feet) and voila, the foot pain went away.

So many things get better if we can stay at weight at or near to our younger years.

I am glad your problem has been solved.

Ha

 

[Shredder]

My wife has mid foot arthritis, and needs a fusion on both feet. But she first had a knee replacement and has sworn off future surgeries of any kind.

We found podiatrists to be easy to find, and ours is quick to do surgery. We found a foot specialist/orthopaedic surgeon using MRIs to know exactly the problem before scheduling surgery.

You should seek out an orthopedic surgeon that is a foot specialist. They are relatively hard to find as there are just aren't many around. But better to for the best.

I agree with the find a good foot specialist advice. An ortho guy wanted to "rebuild" my ankle with major surgery. But 5 minutes with a foot specialist, I found my foot problem was related to pinched nerves in my back. Something custom insoles worked magic on.

Also somewhat related, I used to go to a podiatrist frequently to shave off dead skin off a corn. After a few visits, I just started using a Dremel tool to sand off dead skin, lol. I've been doing this every couple months for years. One dr visit is more than that Dremel tool, say yes to DIY surgery, lol.

 

[Scuba]

Thanks for the responses. I did have X-rays done at both podiatrists’ offices, and both said there is no fracture. The second doc said my left foot was definitely inflamed so he injected an anti-inflammatory. Going back tomorrow for my second appointment with him. We’ll see how it goes. Foot is still bothering me.

Interesting advice re looking for an orthopedist that specializes in feet. I can look for one of those. Also good observation re weight - my weight is about 10 lbs higher than it was a couple of years ago so I’m sure it would help to lose the extra weight. It’s just odd that this seemed to come on rather suddenly, and in connection with changing athletic shoes.

 

[Freedom56]

Thanks for the responses. I did have X-rays done at both podiatrists’ offices, and both said there is no fracture. The second doc said my left foot was definitely inflamed so he injected an anti-inflammatory. Going back tomorrow for my second appointment with him. We’ll see how it goes. Foot is still bothering me.

Interesting advice re looking for an orthopedist that specializes in feet. I can look for one of those. Also good observation re weight - my weight is about 10 lbs higher than it was a couple of years ago so I’m sure it would help to lose the extra weight. It’s just odd that this seemed to come on rather suddenly, and in connection with changing athletic shoes.

Here's one that helped fix my wife's foot pain with an $80 insert from FoofScientific. She is at UCLA Santa Monica.

 

[H2ODude]

Had a noticeable lump on plantar fascia that was easily chacterized by sports med doc with ultrasound. Aspirated it; came back so redid a few months later.

 

[Mr._Graybeard]

Rather than orthotics, I spring for some high-end sport insoles from New Balance. They're made of a dense foam rubber and are highly supportive and stable in the heel cup. They're $30-$40 a pair.

Here's a link to their arch stability insole. The heel cup has a firm plastic base and really stabilizes your foot inside the shoe. (I'm NOT a runner, btw.)

 

[Ready-4-ER-at-14]

Thanks for the responses. I did have X-rays done at both podiatrists’ offices, and both said there is no fracture. The second doc said my left foot was definitely inflamed so he injected an anti-inflammatory. Going back tomorrow for my second appointment with him. We’ll see how it goes. Foot is still bothering me.

Interesting advice re looking for an orthopedist that specializes in feet. I can look for one of those. Also good observation re weight - my weight is about 10 lbs higher than it was a couple of years ago so I’m sure it would help to lose the extra weight. It’s just odd that this seemed to come on rather suddenly, and in connection with changing athletic shoes.

One thing about xrays that is not common knowledge is that after a bone gets a tiny stress crack/fracture it is easier to view on an xray a couple of weeks after the injury than at the time of the injury. That is why a second or third doctor visit shows up the problem that others may have missed. The calcium is absorbed at the injury site making a dark line between the bones on the xray and a bump occurs at the crack that gradually hardens and eventually reshapes and narrows.

 

[Freedom56]

Rather than orthotics, I spring for some high-end sport insoles from New Balance. They're made of a dense foam rubber and are highly supportive and stable in the heel cup. They're $30-$40 a pair.

Here's a link to their arch stability insole. The heel cup has a firm plastic base and really stabilizes your foot inside the shoe. (I'm NOT a runner, btw.)

My wife has high arches on her feet which causes pain after long walks or hikes (4 hours+). She needed to correct this with special cavovarus insoles. Sport insoles did not work. Neither did those expensive custom insoles that filled up her high arches. This link explains the problem:

https://www.footscientific.com/type-3-arches-orthotics/

These insoles are angled so it corrects the balance to the feet. They work well for her. We wasted a lot of money on sport insoles, custom insoles, podiatrists until we found this orthopaedic surgeon and foot an ankle specialists. She looked at her feet, watched her walk, and looked at the 6 different inserts that she had and told us none of the inserts were suitable and recommended that we start with her recommended inserts. She explained that the high arches in her feet cause a shift in balance which needed to be corrected. The bottom line is that they worked. The doctor is also very athletic so she understood the problem well. She went right to the point and spared us of any long conversations. Many people don't like direct and to the point doctors, but we were okay with that. We were in and out in 15 minutes. The insurance covered her $475 consultation fee in full. The problem was solved.

 

[Conundrum]

If I am looking at the right Asics Kayano that is a stability motion control shoe

https://www.asics.com/us/en-us/gel-kayano-25/p/0020000260.400

I have extreme pain and develop tendonitis in my arch when using my orthotic in a motion control shoe. Examples are the New balance 99O and the Brooks addiction.



I switched to a neutral shoe called the Brooks Glycerin. I used the same orthotic that seemed to be giving me all the trouble. Took about 10 days for the pain to resolve itself then the shoe worked like a champ. I think I am on my 6th pair now.

I dug around Asics website and as near as I can tell they don’t have a pure neutral shoe. Closest appears to be the Nimbus.

Some neutral shoes to research

https://www.brooksrunning.com/en_us...ebf4JybsU-6mgmhh4DhoCMoMQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.newbalance.com/pd/fresh...r=Galaxy_with_Petrol#color=Galaxy_with_Petrol

https://www.runningwarehouse.com/Mizuno_Wave_Rider_21/descpage-MIZ21M1.html

 

[Scuba]

Here's one that helped fix my wife's foot pain with an $80 insert from FoofScientific. She is at UCLA Santa Monica.

Thanks for the referral. I am going to call a doc’s office tomorrow closer to home that resolved a shoulder issue for me. He may have someone in his practice that specializes in foot/ankle surgery.

The podiatrist today told me to wear an ankle brace rather than just taping. He says it’s the peroneal tendon that is injured, and confirmed that it is still inflamed. No injection today and he said to stop taking the Alleve and just do ice a couple of times/day and wear the brace.

I’m ready for another doc to look at this and confirm the diagnosis and suggest treatment changes, if any.

 

[Nightcap]

Rather than orthotics, I spring for some high-end sport insoles from New Balance. They're made of a dense foam rubber and are highly supportive and stable in the heel cup. They're $30-$40 a pair.

Here's a link to their arch stability insole. The heel cup has a firm plastic base and really stabilizes your foot inside the shoe. (I'm NOT a runner, btw.)

My podiatrist is not a fan of orthotics, at least where my condition is concerned. I use the above-referenced New Balance insoles, to which my podiatrist has glued a further 1/4 inch Spencore foam.

 

[Totoro]

Thanks all for discussing this - am having the exact same problem and pretty sure it has to do with my weight (too high).

Dutch doctors are next to useless for this type of problem.

 

[Breedlove]

Had ankle / foot problems last year , I would walk and it would hurt so bad I hated to try to walk . I went to a Podiatrist , had the Xrays and was told I had arthritis in my ankle . They got me an ankle brace and it was great . The plan was to move from the brace to CUSTOM inserts . Made exclusive for my problem . Note I can't take steroids or anything like that so ……Custom insoles here in Houston were 350.00 . I posted on this website and a very good person gave me the name of a company that builds custom insoles , he had worked for them. They sent me the boxes to make my imprint and guess what they work and they work well. The guy that built my insoles builds them for Navy Seals , Purdue football players and Mike Pence . If you want info on him please send me a private message . His prices were much cheaper then the guys here in Houston . I remember right 120.00

 

[Freedom56]

Thanks all for discussing this - am having the exact same problem and pretty sure it has to do with my weight (too high).

Dutch doctors are next to useless for this type of problem.

Do your homework before seeing a doctor. The one's associated with teaching universities are generally better doctors. The doctor my wife went to see is an assistant professor at UCLA. She did a pretty informative webinar on injuries to the foot and ankle and treatment options.

Most doctors will tell you to lose weight if you show up at their office with ankle,foot, knee, hip, back pain and you are overweight. It's up to you to get them look beyond your weight.

 

[Breedlove]

Freedom , it could be arthritis from a previous sports injury , again weight lifestyle our body changes you are not the Corvette you were years ago . Treatment changes when we age .

 

[Freedom56]

Freedom , it could be arthritis from a previous sports injury , again weight lifestyle our body changes you are not the Corvette you were years ago . Treatment changes when we age .

I agree with you. However, but what I am saying is that it is always better if you research common foot injuries and treatment options before seeing the specialist so that you can ask the right questions and make an informed decision.