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

pain in both feet on outer sides of feet

by Rebecca
(Augusta, GA USA)

I have been having pains in both feet for approximately 8 months. The pain generally occurs on the outer side of my feet. I have had no accidents and have even purchased inserts for my shoes. I have had x-rays on my feet and the doctor said that I do have bone spurs in both heels but the pain is not in my heels. If I stand on my tip toes I just about will fall over from the pain radiating from the sides of my feet. If any pressure is applied to my feet like grabbing the top of my foot and gently squeezing I about come out of my skin. When I wake up in the morning I cannot leave the bed without bracing the wall and stretching my calves. This will allow me to walk in the morning. The doctor said there was nothing else he could do. I find this hard to believe because this pain is definitely not normal. Please advise what you think may be causing this issue and if there are any stretches other than calf stretches that I can do to help reduce this pain. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Rebecca,
It has always been my thought that when a patient has the same pain on each foot, there has to be a common denominator. Things such as certain athletic activities or a certain pair of shoes, that create the pain.
The three most common things I see on the outside of the foot are, 1. cuboid syndrome, 2. inflammation of the peroneus longus tendon which is the tendon that comes down the side of the foot and at the level of the fifth metatarsal base (the protrusion most people have on the outside of the foot midway between the little toe and ankle)turns and goes underneath and across the bottom of the foot and 3. irritation or even fracture of the fifth metatarsal base.
(I discuss all three conditions on my site)
I would suggest you see another doctor as his advice that you have a heel spur is ridiculous compared to where your pain is arising from.
Marc Mitnick DPM
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Comments for pain in both feet on outer sides of feet

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Jul 27, 2019
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Foot pain both feet outer side midway between small toe and ankle
by: Norma

I have had this going on for about 6-7 months now and it absolutely has nothing to do with wearing tight shoes. I wear loose shoes, perfect fitting shoes, no shoes, sandals, only socks, snug shoes, no matter what I wear or don’t wear on my feet doesn’t make one bit of difference. However I have been researching this for about a month now and found it could be one of two things, perioneal tendonitis, or cuboid syndrome. I think it happened bc I’m on my feet prob 20 hours per day, I have ocd and adhd and cannot sit still for more that 10 min, I am constantly up doing something. But this pain is so awful it is hard to walk sometimes and when I do walk sometimes the pain is in the middle of my feet on the bottom.
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Peroneal tendonitis and cuboid syndrome are both possibilities. From a statistical standpoint I would lean more towards peroneal tendonitis, simply because the odds of displacing both your cuboids is slimmer then developing a tendonitis in both feet.

More then likely either condition is not something you will be able to treat on your own, so a visit to a local podiatrist might not be a bad idea.

Marc Mitnick DPM

Dec 09, 2016
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Resolution?
by: Heather

Hello I have this same pain in both feet. Did you ever find out what was causing this?

Mar 31, 2016
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Same EXACT issue in both feet
by: Laladabaglady

I have been having the same exact issue with both my feet on the outer sides about mid-way between the pinky toe and the heel. I can't even get out of bed in the morning without hobbling like I'm an 80 yr old woman. I noticed extreme pain not just a "sore" feeling constantly everyday for the last 6 months. I told a Dr. who immediately looked at my weight and tested for diabetes. Thank god the tests were all negative and I never got an explanation. Any news from your case, or anyone have any advice. Please and thank you!

The pain sounds like it is coming from what is known as the "base of the fifth metatarsal", usually when pain occurs in this spot and it is occurring on both feet, it tells me that you may have a pair of shoes that are the culprit.
This area tends to be a very wide portion of your foot and if you are wearing a shoe(s) that are too narrow, there is either too much pressure against the bone, the bone is hanging over the sole of the shoe.
In either instance, this can cause pain in that area.

Marc Mitnick DPM

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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

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

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

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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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Dear Dr.Mitnick

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Regards,

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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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New Zealand

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Sincerely

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Arizona

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Florida

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Poland

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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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New Jersey

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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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Whichita, KS

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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.

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location unknown

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Canada

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Wisconsin

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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

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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,

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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

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Lenoir, NC

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Bellevue, WA

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Jodi

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pain in both feet on outer sides of feet

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