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The response to the question below was authored by Marc Mitnick DPM

chronic foot pain

by matt
(sullivan,il)

I suffer from chronic foot pain in both my feet. The pain is excruciating and is not limited to just one part of the foot. Pretty much, any part of my foot that makes contact with the ground or is subjected to pressure from standing, hurts. It hurts in the ball of my foot, all along the outer edge, and the heel. The pain never really goes away, even at rest. I've had a number of tests done including nerve conductivity (I think that's what it was called) and x-rays. The doctor originally told me it was tarsel tunnel syndrome. I had the release surgery and it didn't help. In fact, I think it made it worse. I also suffer from fybromyalgia, and was told it could be related. I'm only 35 years old, a male. I'm not overweight. Is there any hope for recovery? I'm unable to work right now and I need to in the worst way!! As it is, there are times when I can't stand in the shower long enough to finish. PLEASE help me. Thank you, Matt.

RESPONSE

Hi Matt,

This is a tough one to diagnosis without actually being able to examine you. Your type of complaints are not "normal" in an otherwise healthy 35 year old. Most people in your age range who have any type of foot pain, will tend to have a specific area of the foot that may hurt. Sometimes it may be the same spot on each foot.
In your case you state you have

generalized foot pain in both feet. Now assuming this is not from one pair of shoes, in other words it occurs no matter what shoes you wear, you have to start looking beyond the foot itself as the source of pain.
I would be curious to know if you are having joint pain anywhere else in your body or is your pain isolated just to your feet?
Have you had blood tests to rule out some of the collagen diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, or psoriatic arthritis as examples. These kind of conditions could cause generalized foot pain.
At age 35 you are too young to have feet which have "worn out" from years of use, so my thought would be that there must be a condition going on which is prematurely inflaming the joints of your feet, again such as rheumatoid arthritis.
You do not mention how long you have suffered from this problem. Is this a recent problem or have you always had sensitive feet? You see there are some types of foot structures that would be prone to be painful.
For example if you are very flat footed and happen to have very little fat on the bottom of your feet, that would make you prone to generalized foot pain, so that is another area that should be explored.
I wish I could be more helpful, but your symptoms are not consistent with your age range and because I am unable to examine you, it is difficult to be more specific.

Marc Mitnick DPM
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Apr 21, 2012
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Reply to doctor's comments.
by: matt

Thanks for answering my question. I don't really have joint pain, just the pain in my muscles associated w/ fibromyalgia. I've had this condition for a very long time. I can remember having problems in high school with my feet hurting in gym class. I have NEVER been able to walk barefoot outside, even as a child. I have not had the blood tests for arthritis done, but will talk to my doctor about it. My feet are flat, but I don't think abnormally so. I know others with flat feet who don't suffer like this. As far as lack of cushioning on my feet, I would assume my foot doctor would have mentioned it. Actually, I've seen two different doctors, neither of which mentioned anything. So,I didn't know if this was something that was wrong w/just me, or if there might be some rare condition that is causing it. Thanks again, Matt.

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(location unknown)

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(location unknown)

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LH

(location unknown)

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(location unknown)

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(location unknown)

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Madison, Alabama

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Denison, TX

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Texas

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Tampa, Florida 33624

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South Africa

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Mansfield Ctr, CT

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Placentia, California

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Unknown

Unknown location

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Unknown location

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Pacific Grove, CA

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Alameda, California

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Anonymous

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New Zealand

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Arizona

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Thanks, Kathy

Florida

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Poland

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M P

South Carolina

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unknown location

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Arlington, VA

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San Clemente, CA

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location unknown

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location unknown

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Bre

location unknown

Dr. Mitnick, Thank you so much for your reply. I did let my physician know and they took an x-ray - all is well! Also, thank you for providing this wonderful site, it is very helpful with lots of useful information! I appreciate your gift of time! God bless.

anonymous

Dr. Mitnick, Thank you, you were 100% correct. The pain finally brought me to the ER. I spent 8 days in the hospital. The Doppler you spoke of was able to show that there was no pulse in that foot. This was an arterial clot that split and traveled throughout my leg. My leg was almost amputated. I am in rough shape but have all my parts intact!! You certainly know what you are talking about. Thank you for taking the time to answer. Yours Truly!

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Poland

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Seattle, WA

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location unknown

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Bill

New Jersey

Thanks so much for answering my question. You've been more help to me than my own Dr. has been lately. Thanks again....I hope to be able to walk without pain someday.

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location unknown

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location unknown

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Evansville, IA

Dear Marc

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San Diego, CA

Dr. Mitnick, Just want to say thank you so very much for your quick response and very informative reply! After reading what you had to say, I called the doctor's office and was able to get in and see him the same day as my injury. Toe was x-rayed and luckily, it is not broken or fractured. Very badly bruised and will probably lose the toe nail. And although my toe and toe nail are still very black and blue and very sore, they ARE both starting to feel a little better. So again, thank you! I am so very happy that I came across your website. The service you provide is outstanding and immeasurable!

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Albany, NY

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location unknown

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Jackie

Whichita, KS

thanks again, this site is very helpful.

mark

Boston, MA

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Colorado

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annielou

Colorado

Wonderful advice

by: Anonymous

This is the best site for foot problem info.

Thank you for this information. This description fits my pain and inflammation behind my 2nd toe perfectly.

by: Max

location unknown

Again, I really appreciate that you responded to my inquiry, and that your mention of Parkinson's helped me to find my way to a diagnosis of this difficult to diagnose disease. Most patients see on average 16 doctors before they are diagnosed. I hope that you can help other people that ask for your expertise in the future.

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Canada

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location unknown

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Wisconsin

Thank you for your response. You have provided some great insight (to my question)....

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location unknown

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North Carolina

Many Thanks Dr Marc!
Thank you for your response. It sounds like a good plan to me. He did not cut the wart out first ...

KG

location unknown

Thanks again doc for having this website and we STILL need qualified Podiatrists in beautiful sunny Tampa Bay (Bradenton) Florida.

Bessie Mae

Florida

Dear Dr. Mitnick, Thank you so very much for taking your time to answer my question. You have greatly relieved my anxiety related to the continual tingly I feel in my feet. I will share your response with my podiatrist next week. God bless you for having this question and answer page on your website! Most gratefully,

Lynne T.

location unknown

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Robert

New Jersey

Thank you. you were more detailed than what others have told me they finally called from the last xrays and my son is now in a cast for 2 weeks he did have a fracture that was not noticeable.

a mom

location unknown

I have read your website and I have to admit that I am amazed at all the information that is on here. I have learned more than the three years I have been going to several doctors that I have seen!!

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Lenoir, NC

Thank you so much Doc for a quick and thorough response!

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Bellevue, WA

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Jodi

location unknown

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