problem walking after resting

by Darren
(Tarbert, Scotland)

I have had a problem since I was 8 (now 30)

If I walk (e.g. a shopping trip) or stand (teaching) for extended period of times everything is fine.

When I rest - driving home, or sleeping, I find that I can't stand up. When I do I have a sharp intense pain like I was standing on stilts pressing into my feet I have to spend a long time massageing/ manipulating my foot so I can stand. I normally have to grab things to aid my balance, I walk worse than an old person. I take over the counter pain killers and pain relieving creams.

I went to a specialist and was told they couldn't see a problem - it only happens when i have been using my foot for hours.

My wife said I don't rotate through my foot when I walk, so I got some MBT (that make you rotate foot) they have reduced some of the pain. I feel my feet seizes up.

Even now my foot is sore, my foot klicks when I circle it, my ankles are painful, my foot is painful on the top.

Any suggestion to solve this would be greatful - it affects both feet.

Hi Darren,

It sounds like your feet 'stiffen' up after being at rest. I assume as you walk, things loosen up and eventually you can walk normally.
What is disconcerting to me is that these type of symptoms are suggestive of osteoarthritis, the wear and tear arthritis that we all develop as we age. The problem is, you are only 30 years old and this has been going on since you were eight.
Do any other family members have this type of problem? If so, it might be a genetic structural type problem and you may be stuck with it.
If not, I would suggest your doctor do some blood work to see if you suffer from any of the so called collagen diseases which can have an impact on the way the musculo-skeletal system functions.
Bottom line, you are too young to be having these types of symptoms and it should be investigated.

Marc Mitnick DPM

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