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

foot stiffness

by Josette
(Denver, CO)

When I wake in the morning my feet are extremely stiff radiating to my achilles. I have only had this condition for the last two months. I eat a well balanced diet and exercise regularly. I am not overweight. I do have scoliosis and a varicose vein in my right leg behind the knee, it is not bulging and it does not bother me, nor has it changed much over the years. I drink 32 oz of water per day and 1 cup of green tea each night. I recently quit smoking (3-5 cig a day habit) through the help of Chantix. I noticed this after I stopped taking the Chantix after 6 weeks and sucsecfuly quit. This has been the only medication I have taken. Could this possibly be a side effect? I am not sure as it has been 3 months since I stopped using the Chantix? Perhaps it is toxins? I rub my feet each night before bed to no avail. I have tried sleeping with my feet elevated to no avail. Could I just be out of alignment due to my scoliosis or is it a circulatory issue. Do I need arch supports? My feet only are stiff in the morning or when I have been in one position too long, but the most severe discomfort is in the AM. I hope you can help. Thank You!



Sincerely
Josette

Hi Josette,

As far as I know Chantix has no side effects that relate to the musculo-skeletal system. You do not mention your age, but if you are over 40 the first thing I would think of is osteoarthritis, or more commonly known as the wear and tear arthritis that we all develop to some extent as we get older. Your "morning stiffness" is classical osteoarthritis. Most people will have pain or stiffness when they first rise but as they move around the joints loosen up and the pain and stiffness go away.
Your condition does not sound circulatory in nature but if you have any concerns about your circulation you should have it checked.
Arch supports or orthotics may be very beneficial for osteoarthritis as they hold the foot in better alignment and keep the joints from prematurely wearing out.
Lastly, there are many natural substances you can try to reduce the inflammation of osteoarthritis. View my page on arthritis.
Good luck
Marc Mitnick DPM

Comments for foot stiffness

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Aug 23, 2013
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		pain
by: Anonymous

I don't know what to do any more all I do is cry at times because when I sit down I am fine I can move my ankle. It's just when I walk it starts to hurt and I can't stand it at time that I have to sit down again. I can move my toes the pain is in my arch. do I have arthritis or is something more or do I need to go see a doctor or buy some orthotics sometimes it gets stiff the arch that I have to message it or exercise which at times it hurts. it that serious that I need to go to a doctor or therapy or loose. I am only 27 years
Aug 23, 2013
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		pain
by: Anonymous

I don't know what to do any more all I do is cry at times because when I sit down I am fine I can move my ankle. It's just when I walk it starts to hurt and I can't stand it at time that I have to sit down again. I can move my toes the pain is in my arch. do I have arthritis or is something more or do I need to go see a doctor or buy some orthotics sometimes it gets stiff the arch that I have to message it or exercise which at times it hurts. it that serious that I need to go to a doctor or therapy.
Aug 23, 2013
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		pain
by: Anonymous

I don't know what to do any more all I do is cry at times because when I sit down I am fine I can move my ankle. It's just when I walk it starts to hurt and I can't stand it at time that I have to sit down again. I can move my toes the pain is in my arch. do I have arthritis or is something more or do I need to go see a doctor or buy some orthotics sometimes it gets stiff the arch that I have to message it or exercise which at times it hurts. it that serious that I need to go to a doctor or therapy.
Feb 21, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstar 		stiffness and pain in the feet
by: wanda

Iam 57 yrs old and i have stiffness in my feet really bad. I was told i had a little arthritis.I went thru cemotherpy and seems like it has gotten worse. I have bought so many pairs of shoes and nothing seems to help. My doctor put me on pain medicine and thats the only way i can sleep. when i take my shoes off at night they really hurt pain is so bad i almost cry. now iam having this pain doing the day and i can't stand it.Pain is not there all the time it comes and goes but when it hurts and then stops i get really hot all over not sure what is going on please help i can't take this much more.
May 27, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		foot pain
by: Anonymous

my name is Mary and I am 59 yrs old recently I have been suffering with pain in my feet sometimes I have cramps in my feet and sometimes they get stiff or numb until I start moving around .but this is different most of last week I felt as if someone had hit me across my foot with an ax ,well this week it started as a little pain around the arch area and it hurt just a little all day but after walking while coming in from work it got worse andwhen I took of my shoes to go to bed it was unbearable,I had to apply heat and take pain meds what is this can you please tell me what to do.
Feb 17, 2008
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Thank You
by: Josette

Thank You for my answer! I am 43. I have been schedule for a bone density scan, allingment, and I am in the process of getting orthotics made, and checking out the natural remedies.
Thank again!
What a great web site!
Sincerely

Josette

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ADDITIONAL REFERENCES

Mayo Clinic

Johns Hopkins Medicine

MedlinePlus

Arthritis Foundation

University of Rochester Medical Center

Harvard Health

Drugs.com

American Academy of Pediatrics

Penn State Medical Center

National Institutes of Health

Columbia University Department of Rehabilitation

ScienceDirect

Stanford Health Care

Illinois Bone and Joint Institute

Mount Sinai Hospital

Institute for Chronic Pain

University of Florida Health

American Family Physician

Cedars-Sinai

University of Maryland Medical Center
If you happen to live in the New York - New Jersey area and would like to visit our office

Dr. Marc Mitnick

151 Summit Ave.
Summit, NJ 07901
908-522-0761


To make an appointment online or for directions to our office click Dr. Marc Mitnick.

DISCLAIMER: The purpose of this site is purely informational in nature. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any medical condition. This information is not a substitute for advice from a medical professional. Please consult your healthcare provider for accurate diagnosis and treatment. The information presented here may be subject to errors and omissions.


SITE LAST UPDATED: MAY 2026




MY PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS
(items I prescribe in the office)


Orthotics for multiple types of foot pain
best buy in a pre-made orthotic
click link below


SuperStepOrthotics

Orthotics for heel and arch pain for those who must wear dress shoes
click link below


redithotics

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(location unknown)
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(location unknown)
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Redondo Beach, CA
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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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UK

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Regards,

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Placentia, California

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Unknown

Unknown location

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Unknown location

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Anonymous



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Thanks very much for the wonderful informative site.

Catherine

New Zealand

Thank You for my answer! I have been schedule for a bone density scan, allingment, and I am in the process of getting orthotics made, and checking out the natural remedies. Thank again! What a great web site!

Sincerely

Josette

Yes I want both pair of orthotics. You don't have an option of ordering 2 at one time so I had to place the order twice. Thanks. My husband likes these and wants to put them in all of his shoes. (referring to Superstep orthotics)

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Arizona
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Thanks, Kathy

Florida
1st of all THANKS A LOT for your great site......

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Poland
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M P

South Carolina
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Natalie

unknown location


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Arlington, VA


Thank you so very much, that would be much appreciated. I love those insoles, by the way. (referring to Superstep orthotics)

Kelly W.

San Clemente, CA


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Pam

location unknown


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Glen

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!

anonymous



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Poland



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Seattle, WA


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Bonnie

location unknown



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Bill

New Jersey



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Debbie

location unknown



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Chrissy

location unknown



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Tracy

Evansville, IA



Dear Marc

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Russ W.

location unknown



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-Sunny.

location unknown



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Jackie

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!

Rivi,

Albany, NY



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Jill S.

location unknown



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Jackie

Whichita, KS



thanks again, this site is very helpful.

mark

Boston, MA



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....Keep up what your doing. Your a life saver.

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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.

Barb D.

Canada
I just wanted to say that I am very greatful for this website!! I have had a fusion in my rt foot and am finally getting a little bit better......

Bonnie

location unknown
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Nancie

Wisconsin
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Julie

location unknown
Thank-you so very much for responding so quickly and in such detail to my question!! I will give my surgeon a call today!! This website is terrific!!!! Thank-you again!

Renae

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
Your webpage is excellent, I commend you on sharing your knowledge to the public.

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!!

Melody

Lenoir, NC


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Rustam

Bellevue, WA


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Jodi

location unknown

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