Foot pain

[chris]

So, I've developed a stabbing, sharp pain in the front of my foot, focused at the second toe, that grows in intensity as I walk. Constant terrain, especially smooth, seems to encourage it to occur. Uneven terrain, like rocky trails and talus, seems to discourage it.

On even terrain, the first half hour seems to be fine. I start to notice the pain in the second half hour. If I haven't stopped for a break then the third half hour is painful, only one grade below debilitating. Taking breaks and elevating my feet seems to help, but once its started, it remains until I'm done hiking. At its worst, it feels like something the width of a pencil is pinched between my first (big) and second toe, and every time I set my foot down, kick a rock, or have side-ways pressure on my foot it feels like that inflamed pencil is pinched, rolled, and pained.

Any ideas what this may be? And what my treatment options may be? Does anyone recommend someone I can see to have this evaluated?

[treknclime]

Sounds something like Morton's Neuroma, however, it usually happens between other toes, so maybe it's something else:

 

Morton link

 

I've had surgery on one foot for Mortons, and it totally fixed the issue. Doc says I've got it on the other foot, but at the moment...no pain, so it's not an issue.

 

Morton's is usually caused by wearing tight shoes...

[chris]

Yeah, that's what I suspect too. And my boots and climbing shoes don't allow a lot of wiggle room - in fact I'm going to take my boots into a shop next week to get them stretched a little.

I'm trying to keep surgery an ultimate last resort. Can anyone recommend a podiatrist in the Seattle area that is familar with runner/climbing problems?

Does anyone have experience with acupuncture?

[Billygoat]

Bursitus (sp.?)

 

goes away if you take care of the cause: tight shoes, compromising positions....

[catbirdseat]

Dr. Stanley Newell, 3rd Avenue, Northgate.

206-527-4177