A pain in the balls of my feet (both)

[Debs]

Morton's ? - Yep, I'm suspecting the reborn running effort in combination with my general problem with some of my shoes which are tight across the ball of foot.

foot exercises and further experimentation are the next . . . . step

Hi Graham, how is it going with your feet pain condition?

Have you had a proper examination, diagnosis, remedy?

I ask because recently i am experiencing a lot of pain [ in left ball of foot only ] especially while walking,

My left 4th toe looks swollen, but doesn't hurt if i give it a squeeze, the pain is when i track back to the metatarsal area under the ball of foot, and here the pain can be intense, especially while walking barefoot indoors, feels like i'm walking with a pebble under my foot.

My right foot is fine, and reading about incorrect sized footwear being a likely cause doesn't seem to ring true in my case.
All my footwear is sensible and comfy, and i am presently blessed with many pairs of cycling shoes that fit my feet really well.
However, recently with the coming of this problem i notice that my left foot tends to swell after an hour of cycling and then it doesn't like being in the 'correctly sized' shoe.

I don't do any running [ not a good idea with my knees! ] and otherwise my feet are in fab form and condition, well the right one is anyway.

I guess there must be other causes to this dilemma.
Today a quick telephone consolation with my local medical practice has agreed my issue does sound like Morton's Neuroma ( in left foot only ) and a referral to a specialist NHS podiatrist will be made very soon. They will post me a letter with referral date.

The odd thing is, while on my 22 mile cycle rides i feel fine and forget all about my left foot disorder, my Giro shoes have a fairly solid sole and superb fit, it's only when i get home i realise my left shoe has a strange and sorry looking swollen foot inside it, and then i walk about it's with a painful limp!

[Graham]

Hi Graham, how is it going with your feet pain condition? . . . etc.

Thank you for your kind interest. And quite timely too . . . . . . . .

Situation no better : possibly slightly worse : I've been taking a low dose of Ibuprofen for about a week now to see if it is somehow beneficial.

My sister has finally bullied me into contacting my doctor ( today ). . . . I'm a typically stubborn bloke. I don't want to bother the docs at a time like this + any excuse to avoid asking for help.

Anyhow if my self-diagnosis is correct then this webpage was/is/will be my guide :-
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/mortons-neuroma/

One key question is :-
Is there a typical recovery pattern for this-sort-of-thing ? Possible rapid recovery OR something long and drawn out like a shoulder injury ?

Please let me/us know how you get on . I will update as events occur.

[Debs]

One key question is :-
Is there a typical recovery pattern for this-sort-of-thing ? Possible rapid recovery OR something long and drawn out like a shoulder injury ?

Please let me/us know how you get on . I will update as events occur.

I suppose it depends upon the extent of the injury, and how it was caused.
There are things like ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injections, but this would only arrive after specialist referral and consultation, prognosis etc.

Don't feel bad about troubling the NHS as this moment in time, it's possible the Podiatrists are no more busy than usual, or maybe even less due to so many people at home taking it easy, and so many people with all kinds of ailments putting off getting medical attention (which they shouldn't).
It's a condition that prevents you doing what you usually do, and could get worse without professional help.

I feel sorry for you having it in both feet, if it's as bad as how it is in my one foot you must be walking with a lot of pain & difficulty!

Yesterday i was told to wait for a letter which will have a podiatrist clinic appointment date with a doctor consultant, the nurse on the phone said this clinic in Newtown Powys was a really good one, and the guy i'll see is top drawer, so i'm hopeful. Can't wait to get the letter and get myself off there!

Yesterday i may of spoke too soon, my bike rides on Monday and Tuesday went well, just pain while walking but not on the bike, Wednesday i didn't ride, but yesterday i had my usually 22 mile ride and my left foot let me know it wasn't happy, ended up cruising around slowly and was glad to get off the bike when back at home. A cold compress applied for 20 minutes helped, and again an hour later.

Put a handful of frozen peas in a small poly-bag, fold up and place in a sock and arrange it so the cold pack is adjacent to where the pain is. You may need to make up two of these, one for each foot.

I'll let you know what happens in due course, although we have requested help at the same time so you may get to see a specialist before i

[Graham]

I feel sorry for you having it in both feet, if it's as bad as how it is in my one foot you must be walking with a lot of pain & difficulty!

I'm just playing for sympathy. . . .. It is only at discomfort level such that I'm avoiding further aggravating it by : Stopped running : Reduced cycling miles. Careful choice of footwear when walking a few miles.

Doc seems a bit suspicious about both feet at same time. Thus blood test is first step in my diagnosis.

Yesterday i was told to wait for a letter which will have a podiatrist clinic appointment date with a doctor consultant, the nurse on the phone said this clinic in Newtown Powys was a really good one, and the guy i'll see is top drawer, so i'm hopeful. Can't wait to get the letter and get myself off there!

That must be very reassuring. I hope it goes well and happens soon.

Yesterday i may of spoke too soon,. . . . .
Put a handful of frozen peas in a small poly-bag, fold up and place in a sock and arrange it so the cold pack is adjacent to where the pain is. You may need to make up two of these, one for each foot.

I have never used ice to alleviate inflammation before. Obviously I need to try this. Thanks for the suggestion.

More news . . . eventually . . .

[Debs]

Doc seems a bit suspicious about both feet at same time. Thus blood test is first step in my diagnosis.
.

We best keep an open mind and wait for the examination.
It's possible that neither of us has Morton's Neuroma, and out ailments are something else entirely.

Your doctor's suspicion is probably about diabetes, but that's an easy check to be confirmed or discounted, and if you are diabetic it means the soles of your feet can be very insensitive and unaware of pain and injury.
Apparently they get people in A&E with nails sticking in their feet, that they trod on days before, and they don't know the nail is there until it goes septic. But i doubt if your feet are that far gone! ...and hopefully you're not diabetic either.

I''m wondering if my problem was initiated a few months ago when i accidentally stepped on an electric plug ( i never wear shoes indoors ) but i remember howling in pain and hopping around the room in agony, and i may have spoken a few naughty swear words at the time too...

Another theory i have is one foot slightly bigger than the other which means the right shoe always feels fine but left a bit compromised with room (?)
My left foot is visually swollen so i can't confirm if it is 'naturally' wider than my right at the moment.

When i run a tape measure around the widest part of each foot, my swollen left foot is 25cm, and my right is 24cm.

[Nigel]

One thing I've noticed with some new shoes is SPD bolt length. I imagine Shimano get it right in their own shoes (my Shimano pair of a few years ago are OK), but the newer pair I have now (SPD compatible, and not a cheapo brand) turned out that the standard new Shimano cleat bolts go through and press on foot bottom.

Fix was two things: grind the bolts down a little (more than 1mm off each), then refit them. Second, fill the area around the cleat from inside of shoe with Sugru, which sets as reasonably flexible. Not ridden enough to be sure its a proper fix yet, but if that fails, the SPD-Compatible shoes will have to go, and I'll buy Shimano branded ones in future.

- Nigel

[Debs]

I gave up buying Shimano shoes years ago due to them feeling a bit narrow, even the mens range,
and same goes for my Bontrager shoes, excellent quality shoe but no good if they feel too narrow.

For past two years i've been wearing Giro shoes, have two pairs one white and other black. Both pairs are the same model of shoe and fit me perfectly.
I use Look cleats & pedals, have been using them since the 80s, have the latest type now and no problems, quite happy to keep with the brand.

Meanwhile, my swollen left foot has recently become oversized for my correct sized shoe.
The phone call consultation i had a week ago with my local medical centre was to wait for a letter of referral to a specialist NHS podiatrist, letter may take a couple of weeks to arrive, okay it's only been a week but no letter yet, and for all i know the actual appointment may not be for months (?) and the problem is more pain from my foot and it looks more swollen, and walking has become awkward and painful. Having built up years of fitness on the bike i don't want to go to waste with a long lay-off in pain waiting for medical attention.

Today i sent an email to my regional NHS enquiry asking for advice, i enclosed a photo of my swollen left foot & 4th toe



Perhaps we need a show us your injuries thread

Have you had any joy yet, Graham?

[Graham]

. . . . . just admiring your toenails which are mainly without fungal infection , , , , apart from the little toe ?

I don't think I'll be posting any photos of my feet due to the real risk of offending public decency. The fungus is taking over my biome - starting from the lowest point.. . . . . nasty nails : yellow & growing into grotesquely distorted shapes . . .

Your foot pain seems to be significantly worse than mine ( which I rate as mere discomfort ).

I digress . . . . During the phone call the Doctor warned me about potential delays in getting a diagnostic, ultrasound scan through NHS.

I asked about "going private".

. . . . . A few days later . . . . . . .

The private consultant's secretary has just informed me that a 1st consultation, by phone or Zoom, would cost me £230.
I don't have a webcam ==> That's one very expensive phone call.
By declining that, I'm now on a waiting list for for more "direct contact" whenever that may be.

i.e I would now prefer to jump back into any NHS treatment process.

I'm profoundly hoping that this is a "shoulder-equivalent situation" that will fix itself in time. Blood test first though.

[Graham]

Have you had . . . . .

Both my feet & ankles slightly swollen . . . . I'm wearing elasticated support stockings for some of the time.

OTOH. This is a fairly normal situation for me in hot weather.

[Debs]

. . . . . just admiring your toenails which are mainly without fungal infection , , , , apart from the little toe ?

Just had a check...
and can confirm it's merely flaky skin, fungoid free zone my toes, although that 4th toe looks primed to explode at any second!

About 20 years ago i had a fungal toe nail infection, i cured it by cutting the excess nail out as much as i could and then scrubbing virgin olive oil into the nail and toe area with an old toothbrush.
Took a couple of week to work.

Wear sandals on bare feet in warm weather. Try to avoid wearing socks and shoes.

Can also try washing & soaking feet in salty water [with a little splash of Dettol liquid perhaps] then when dry scrub in the olive oil.
Don't use the toothbrush you clean your teeth with.

[Cugel]

. . . . . just admiring your toenails which are mainly without fungal infection , , , , apart from the little toe ?

Just had a check...
and can confirm it's merely flaky skin, fungoid free zone my toes, although that 4th toe looks primed to explode at any second!

About 20 years ago i had a fungal toe nail infection, i cured it by cutting the excess nail out as much as i could and then scrubbing virgin olive oil into the nail and toe area with an old toothbrush.
Took a couple of week to work.

Wear sandals on bare feet in warm weather. Try to avoid wearing socks and shoes.

Can also try washing & soaking feet in salty water [with a little splash of Dettol liquid perhaps] then when dry scrub in the olive oil.
Don't use the toothbrush you clean your teeth with.

I have many old toof brushes employed for several purposes. One likes to preserve these rather than chuck them away just because they've been in use for unpleasant tasks cleaning stuff off things besides mere toof detritus .... but there is always the risk of a confusion will the current brush that's actually employed for one's own toof scrubbing.

I have a special drawer for the various pokers of slimy places and scrubbers of toxic materials. Also, the dog toothbrushes are a very distinctive colour and shape lying far away on the design curve from my own toof brush. Merely making them pink or blue is insufficient, despite what Max sang.

These small matters are important to the squeamish!

Cugel

[Debs]

These small matters are important to the squeamish!

Cugel

I use an old toothbrush on the bike rear mech, those cogs do have teeth too,
and since i've been scrubbing 'em there's been no sign of tooth decay!

Today i sent an email to my regional NHS enquiry asking for advice, i enclosed a photo of my swollen left foot & 4th toe

Anyway, after sending the email yesterday, the regional enquiry department phoned me today to say they have notified the specialist podiatry doctor
[ that my local medical centre referred me to only last week ]
with an urgent note to fit me in early as possible for examination. They said he's not there until Monday but he will phone me then with an appointment same day or next.

What a great result!, i had fears i'd have to wait so long my foot would be dragging along behind me all stinky of gangrenous pongs and he would be getting out the sawbones tools. I am saved!

[Graham]

. . . . an email to my regional NHS enquiry asking for advice . . . . .

I'm a bit puzzled by this. It seems a bit of an ad hoc way of getting into the treatment "pipeline".
Anyhow, good going to get some early specialist help.

I'll be interested to hear by-what-means the consultant will conduct the investigation.

[Debs]

. . . . an email to my regional NHS enquiry asking for advice . . . . .

I'm a bit puzzled by this. It seems a bit of an ad hoc way of getting into the treatment "pipeline".
Anyhow, good going to get some early specialist help.

I'll be interested to hear by-what-means the consultant will conduct the investigation.

Graham, just to clarify:
10 days ago i phoned my local medical centre asking if i could see my GP.
Because of covid precautions - the receptionist put me though to a very knowledgable nurse to assess my condition...
She decided a better way would be to cut out the bother of a GP appointment, and refer me directly to a foot specialist in a nearby hospital.
The hospital would send me a letter [ which may take a couple of weeks to arrive ] with an appointment date [ of unknown latter date and time... ].

Meanwhile i'm waiting at home, and my foot is getting worse, i don't know what's ailing it for sure, but it's getting more painful and swollen from one day to next, and walking around is getting more difficult and painful. So far i'd had no medical attention with this foot at all, and for all i know there could be a fracture or dislocation or something that needs attention sooner the better.

I found the Hospital in question on the internet, went to 'Contact Us' and simply emailed them with my situation, plus enclosed a photo. I explained my story and of referral, and requested if i could see the specialist asap due to the debilitating condition of my foot.
The email didn't go to the hospital, it went to a regional centre, someone there read it and then passed it directly to the podiatrist doctor of referral.
The specialist is presently away but will return on Monday morning, so it is up to him if/when i get seen to. Hopefully it will be sometime next week.

They have probably considered my left foot condition to be that of a recent injury, and in need of medical attention sooner better than later...

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Spot the difference

[Elizabeth_S]

I've had Morton's Neuroma. I got it a number of years ago, my foot looked normal, then usually if I got too hot it went into a full attack and I had to try and cool my foot as rapidly as possible. In the middle of an attack, it was the most painful thing I have ever experienced (and I've had 2 babies without pain relief). Mine stopped naturally and did not reoccur (I was pregnant in Germany, so it was very hot). A couple of years later I had another problem with the same foot and this time it was a muscular thing, so I suspect that my weak foot muscles caused irritation to the nerve. I've spent allot of time strengthening the muscles in my feet, and I make sure I don't overpronate on that foot, but I now run and cycle and it hasn't bothered me again.