Question for those of you with foot issues - YouLookFab Forum

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Question for those of you with foot issues

pil

Veteran

I know several of you have foot issues, perhaps you could offer me suggestions for further investigation?
My right arch - only the arch - has been painful on and off for a couple of months now. It started out with the sensation that the arch needed to 'crack'. I don't recall twisting or pulling my ankle or foot and there isn't anything in particular that appears to trigger it other than putting weight on my foot. It lasts longer than a twinge and comes and goes during the day. Sometimes I feel it while sitting or lying in bed, but it isn't anything that keeps me awake or wakes me up. Some days it is fine. Wearing Birkenstocks helped the other day.
I'll be having my annual physical soon and will ask the doctor about it then, but in the meantime I wonder what your thoughts are as far as podiatric versus chiropractic treatment or if you have other suggestions?
Thanks a bunch.

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19 replies

Latest reply was from gryffin

Anonymous

I had a bad experience with a podiatrist, and I've never been to a chiropractor. I have, however, had x-rays of my feet and have been examined by a neurologist and by my rheumatologist.

carter

I'm not a fan of podiatrists either. The way you describe it, it sounds like nerve pain. For that, I would go to the chiropractor. The right chiropractor can change everything.

Runcarla

Veteran

Bad experience with a podiatrist. Great experience with a chiro who treated my plantar fasciitis. 3, maybe 4 treatments over 2 months and a bunch of assigned exercises and I've been back running for 6 weeks after a 6 month lay off before going to see him. Now, my chiro works with the Canadian national sprint team and other athletes, but fortunately for me takes weekend warriors and regular folks too.

Tip - don't go barefoot. Wear those Birks and supportive or cushioned shoes.

JAileen

Veteran

Arch soreness sounds like plantar fasciitis. That's what it felt like to me, anyway, but in both feet.

I went to a podiatrist who specialized in athletes. (I'm not an athlete, but she said she didn't want to trim toenails.) I was given shots in my feet (steroids?) and special inserts for my shoes. I still wear them, 18 years later, and haven't have any more problems.

Anonymous

I'm sorry you're having foot problems! I've had my share, too, and in my experience, there seems to be a wide range of quality among podiatrists. (I've never gone to a chiropractor.) After visiting a couple of them who seemed pretty clueless, I went to a diagnostic clinic that had a group of high-class physicians, one of whom was a foot doctor. He got my problem straightened out pretty quickly. Perhaps your GP can recommend a specialist?

Diana

Veteran

Hate to say it but that sounds like plantar fasciitis.

I also found the podiatrist useless. I had better luck with the physical therapist (whom I was actually seeing for a different issue) and just my GP.

pil

Veteran

Thanks for the insight everyone, I knew you would be a good resource!

Anonymous

My right foot started bothering me again today. Out of the blue, it started hurting so bad that I couldn't put my weight on it. That lasted for about 15 minutes, then it stopped. It started again when we went to the gym and I stepped out of the car. It stopped about 10 minutes later. I don't know what it is. I was tested thoroughly before and they found nothing wrong. It's in my heel area.

L'Abeille

Veteran

Plantar fascia pain. I will get little flare-ups like that if I have worn the wrong footwear for too long--too flat or too high, not enough arch support or cushioning --or spent too long standing or walking on an unforgiving surface. Immediate careful attention to footwear and activities will settle it down quickly; if ignored, it takes longer.

(Last month I wore hard-soled shoes for line dancing, then walked barefoot on hard wet sand. I had to wear running shoes for a week, and walk on the grass or pavement rather than the sidewalk, and it settled down ok.)

Nebraskim

Veteran

Because it's so intermittent, that is difficult to guess a cause. Usually plantar fasciitis is pretty relentlessly there all the time but can have periods where it flares worse than others. A key symptom is that first steps in the morning, or after sitting for a long time, are exceptionally painful -- some describe it as a knife through the heel vertically. After you've warmed up a bit, the acute pain will dwindle back a bit. I have had it off and on for 30 years (yay me). Acupuncture helped me a lot. I have in my right foot, right in the center, a lingering stiffness at the lisfranc joint, which I fear is arthritis, caused by my long-term issues with the plantar fascia. It does feel that if I could "crack" that joint, the mobility would return. I wear supportive shoes, orthotics in my running shoes, and mostly wear stiff-rocker bottom shoes like Danskos. Soft very flexible shoes do not work for me at all. Good luck.

Anonymous

I wear Danskos almost all the time. Alegría clogs are what I wear at home. I never go barefoot. I was on my athletic shoes yesterday, though. Maybe that was the problem.

rachylou

Veteran

Gosh, I have these intermittent feet problems that translate all the way up my leg. I stand for eight hours on concrete to boot... there are mats, but we keep getting new ones and they're not all equal. And then I drive a stick shift in horrendous traffic. Wreaks havoc on my left knee, which I injured a long time ago and hasn't been the same since.

A few months ago, it was my left arch and then it became my right arch, probably due to trying to compensate. I found an arch brace at the drugstore. Has a little plastic support and wraps around just the arch. That helped.

Style Fan

Veteran

I have had all kinds of foot problems including PF. I have not found podiatrists very helpful. I have not gone to a chiropractor in years. I had a wonderful family doctor where I use to live who was helpful. I have done lots of my own research and relied on some good friends who are in the medical profession. My new (soon to be ex) family doctor is useless.
A friend recommended Finn Comfort sandals and that is what I wear now. Birks use to be good.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

WOW. Lots of good info here. Thanks for sharing.

Jill, I hope your foot issues are sorted fast.

pil

Veteran

Yes, Angie, lots of knowledge and great suggestions! Though I feel like a big baby because my issue isn't nearly as painful as so many others', addressing it sooner than later is probably a good idea.

Anonymous

You might want to read about tarsal tunnel syndrome (similar to carpal tunnel, but involves the ankle and foot). A neighbor thought he has plantar fascitis where he learned after visiting numerous doctors that it was tarsal tunnel and is finally pain free. I believe it was finally a neurologist that diagnosed and treated him.

pil

Veteran

Thanks!

Anonymous

I emailed my PCP about the return of my foot symptoms. She said that she doubts the doctors I've seen (neurologist and rheumatologist) will have a diagnosis for me, and that I should try not to do the things that bring on the pain. The problem is that I can't tell what brings on the symptoms. They seemingly come out of nowhere, last a few minutes (usually, but sometimes longer) and then just go away. This is frustrating because this time around, the pain doesn't involve walking upstairs like before. It happens when I walk on flat surfaces. Ugh!

gryffin

Veteran

I have a morton's neuroma in my left foot. The orthopedic foot surgeon was totally unhelpful, even though he knew I was a physician, when they look you in the eye and say, "it would be so much easier if you broke your foot..." you know you are in the wrong place. Dr. Jarret, http://www.thetaorthotics.com saved my feet and sanity. First, I was impressed I can always get him on the phone to discuss. From a medical point of view, (spoken as your BFF, not as a physician, as ortho is not my field) it makes sense. Basically invisalign for your feet. Sequential orthotics to reposition the arch to neutral. It took 3 levels for my symptoms to continuously abate. My neuroma is not "gone" but I am pain free and if I am barefoot, only to shower, I know it's there but it does not hurt. Remember I knew my diagnosis, I sought medical help to confirm that, so I knew this treatment was appropriate. Anti-inflammatories did not work, and I did not want injections or surgery. I have no experience with local podiatrists or chiropractors. But it's service that might be helpful to others so I wanted to put it out there.