Ask America's Podiatrist » Ask Dr. Nirenberg

Severe Foot pain entire life-advice needed

(2 posts)
  • Started 4 months ago by feethurty
  • Latest reply from Dr. Nirenberg
  1. feethurty
    Member

    I have had severe foot and ankle pain my entire life. I never had an injury except the one caused by grinning and bearing the pain described below. Even when i was 5 years old, being on my feet for 5 hours would leave me limping and in pain and then barely able to walk the next morning, a painful hobble. Im 21 now and it has gotten no better, over the years I've went to 3 different foot doctors, none has helped, I've had various orthotics, they casted both my lower legs and feet (no injury just a last ditch effort), mri and xrays all normal, Physical therapy for 6 months, all to no avail, and since then I've given up.

    Im flatfooted, both my feet turn outward as that is how it is from my hips down. I'm very overweight now though i wasnt when i was a child and still had the same problem. Now after 3 hours I get severe pain, I limp, my feet are always stiff, barely able to move left or right up or down, to the point where the physical therapists thought i was fighting against their flexing purposely, but no, they are just stiff always and much moreso when im off of them. After finally getting off my feet they get so stiff that even a light bump causes pain, to get up and walk almost makes me cry, i grip onto anything to take the weight off of them and hobble painfully to my destination. There is alot swelling but im told thats an effect of my medicine norvasc. I soak them but that just numbs my feet for 15 mins and then the pain is back, next morning limping again it takes 24 hours off of my feet for them to recover. This massively affects my work ability, I've tried to grin and bear it and work 40 hour workweek on my feet, 4 months i forced myself till i was told my right foot is sprained and i needed to quit.

    I'm at a loss as to what to do, no docs can help i haven't seen one in years as we have given up. I just have to live with this horrid pain in both feet and ankles.

    any ideas?

    I am a girl, I have large feet, size 11

    Posted 4 months ago #
  2. Hi - I am sorry you are having so much pain. The longer a problem goes, generally the harder and longer it takes to clear up. So I don't think there is a magic bullet. You say you are having "foot and ankle" pain. Sometimes if we can pinpoint the worst, most severe area of pain and alleviate that problem, the person begins to walk better and their other problems resolve with time. Is there any way you can pinpoint the most painful spot on your foot or ankle?

    Posted 4 months ago #

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