Long and possible crazy sounding post warning… So just curious of others thoughts.

Have they checked your veins? I had a lot of problems with my left foot and ankle-pain and swelling) I was told it was part plantar fascia, put on a boot, etc. I finally figured out it was a vein issue In my leg

You are not alone. Although I feel like I am at times. My last conversation with my GP, resulted in her suggestion of an ultrasound and referral to foot/ankle specialist. I also have had right foot pain for 18 years and now in both feet the last 3 years. It’s a total nightmare. Cannot use my feet as I’d like without living with this terrible pain constantly. My pain started when I was 33, I’m now 53. I do what I can when I can and rest them in between but as far as walking any distance or riding bikes etc, I know I will suffer for weeks afterwards. Good luck on your healing journey.

You are not alone..5 foot surgeries and several other procedures since 2015 for me and still in terrible pain..still to this day I get cortisone injections every 4 months in both my heels which is probably not good for me I know but they really help so I keep doing them cause I'm so desperate for relief along with daily gabapentin and pain meds just to cope. Finally went to pain management Dr and I have appt for a Nerve block spinal injection on 4/21/22 and then possible Nerve stimulator surgically put in (which I'm on the fence sbout doing) and only if the spinal injections help. All I can say is that I'm definitely way worse off in pain now then before any of my surgeries. Wish I never would of done them but unfortunately I can't go back in time. I have even had the thought of cutting off my foot..Don't think I could ever do that but I do have the thought. And just found out last year that I have a severed plantar nerve which was done with one of my surgeries which my current doc tells me that is why im still in so much pain with my surgical foot And the only way to fix that is if I can find a nerve graph surgeon to repair it. Like i said you are not alone and I pray we both find some relief soon.🙏🙏🙏

Melodie, did you get fasciotomy? what surgeries and symptoms? i had tt release and coblation but still having heel pain and calves are very tight. getting ready for pt again. so tired of the pain and nothing seems to help.

A couple of years ago I stubbed the area between the big toe and the next toe...still having issues....have seen 3 podiatrist...1st of all...a fitting for custom orthodics would be a good start I believe...but nothing will last for long...I needed arch support plus cushioning cause my metatarsal bones are moving because of my bunions? I think the podiatrist do their best but there are so many issues that usually compound each other they don't treat all at the same time. I believe surgery is last resort (I have bunions removed 60 years ago and they still exist). Ask for a custom orthodic!

You have my sympathy!! I had a foot doctor/surgeon diagnose me with a ruptured posterior tibia tendon from an x-ray!!!! I was more concerned about being able to be active so agreed to having a tendon transfer. He destroyed the structure of my foot, totally flat now, I developed RSD, and for the past 15 years, I cannot walk normal and my quality of life affected. I would love to go in to his office once a year as a reminder what he did to me. AND maybe they don't teach this in Med School but soft tissue does not show up on x-ray. I have my doubts that I really had a ruptured tendon. I would highly recommend you do not let your surgeon do a tendon transfer. It is a horrible surgery and there are no guarantees. I wear Brooks because they are suppose to be the best for overpronation but they keep making them cheaper and charging more ($160 for tennis shoes!!!) I feel for ya, girl. I have yet to find a foot doctor that I can trust. Good luck to you. Treat yourself to a foot massage. It's the only thing that makes my foot feel better.

In many ways, I can relate. I have a structural issue where my ankle joint (specifically the talus and calcaneus bones) did not separate in the womb. This fusion of the ankle joint is called tarsal coalition, and it affects everything and is causing other issues like chronic plantar fasciitis and fat pad atrophy. My ankle joint can’t be fixed, so things like tight calves, tight hamstrings, etc that are likely causing plantar fasciitis must be dealt with using a workaround. I am currently searching for a good chiropractor. It seems that fixing back issues and calve muscle and hamstring muscle issues often resolves PF from what I read in a PF Facebook group I am in. I would venture to guess that you have altered your gait in response to your foot pain and a lot of your other problems developed because of that. It may also be that back problems or calf tightness caused foot problems. The steroid injections did nothing for me for PF, and over time they destroy tissue. Chiropractors and physical therapists vary a lot, and many don’t understand the feet very well. I think asking a lot of questions about how much foot pain they have treated is in order. I think overall chiropractors understand how the whole body is tied together better than PTs. As far as shoes, I bought Hoka Bondhi sneakers and Hoka recovery flip flops. I love the flip flops. They are so soft and comfy. The sneakers are okay and better than other sneakers but not great. The flip flops cost about 1/3 what the sneakers did. I have not seen much success with foot surgery. Getting over the damage from surgery takes so long, if at all, and then you finally figure out if the surgery is successful. What is the name of the surgery recommended to you? There is likely a FB page for people who have had or are considering it. I am in a group called Everything Triple Arthrodesis, which is the surgery for my tarsal coalition condition when you can’t stand the pain any more. It would not fix my other foot issues and in general is not that successful. It has a 12-18 month recovery period. I am also in a plantar fasciitis FB group, which is very helpful. It is for other foot pain in the heel area, too. I have seen people post about the conditions you mentioned lots of times.

Too bad we as people cannot bring things back to surgeons. I had a doctor do a four-disc fusion on me and it a nerve. Crippled for life. Lots of medical issues I have that I did not before. Mostly back and down to my left foot. Drop foot is the worst.

I would request copies of your latest tests and get 2nd and 3rd opinions. I have orthopedic issues and have severe arthritis in both feet. Very painful haven’t found any shoe that’s perfect but I never have gone through what you have experienced. Has anyone mentioned orthotics? Don’t listen to anyone unless you get 3 opinions if your insurance will allow you to especially before having surgery. Wishing you all the best. 🙏

Have you had a neurological work up including spine, brain?

Get an mri of your lower back/spine. Your pain could be stemming from a herniated discs aggravating muscles and nerves down the legs. I suffered for over 12 years went to countless foot doctors and surgeons. Long story short after seeing a physiatrist for chronic pain for something else it caused immediate relief of heel /foot pain (left foot) when I got my adductors and various glute hip and back muscles treated ... I just recently tore my L4-L5 disc and irritated the herniated the L5-S1 and the pain came back almost immediately. You mentioned sciatica and that is disc nerve root or muscle problems/disfunction in the lower back/sacriolic and buttocks area. Get your back checked out and DO NOT have surgery until you rule this out. I have pronation and had pf and Achilles tendonitis and no therapy, injections, or pills helped. Back issues will irrate all that. I saw a chiropractor once and noticed upon him adjusting my lowe back the deep ache in my heel bone was gone when I walked out and I had it for 10 years at that point. It's crazy how much it affects the feet

Get a hypnotherapist to stop the pain