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long post ahead but please read I have had chronic foot pain for ten years. I’m 25 and started noticing it at 16 when i got my first job (only worked 2 hour shifts). I have seen MANY doctors. Originally was diagnosed as plantar fasciitis then an MRI showed baxter’s neuropathy. So I got a bilateral fasciotomy surgery on both feet and it failed. I moved to Tokyo last year and the city lifestyle requires me to be on my feet all the time. I have done physical therapy, pelvic floor therapy (was told i have an *extremely* weak pelvic floor and that i don’t use my hips properly when I walk, but can’t seem to strengthen my hips), acupuncture therapy, tested for rheumatoid arthritis, done pilates, etc. Recently got an x ray and MRI of my lower back which came back normal. I am so exhausted and honestly depressed not being able to stand or walk for longer than 5 or so mins without extreme pain (it’s tingling and burning sensations). It prohibits me from living my life to the fullest. Does anyone have any idea what might be wrong or what’s causing my chronic pain? I am going in for a nerve test monday. Also I have tested positive for MTHFR, pcos, and endometriosis.
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Have a look at connective tissue disorders. I have had foot pain for a very long time too (plantar fasciitis and big toe joint issues), and most recently hip joint issues. Had shoulder problems for over 20 years as well and once I learned about connective tissue disorders, all of these "injuries" were suddenly all related. There is a recent study linking Mthfr to hypermobile Ehlers danlos syndrome. I also have the Mthfr mutation.
I'm so sorry and I can relate. Just walking is a struggle everyday. I've had 6 foot surgeries to date and in so much pain..definitely alot worse than before any of my surgeries. And I actually tore my fascia on my other foot so now both feet hurt. I was finally diagnosed with CRPS and nerve damage plus i have diabetes and they ended up putting me in pain management which is no help at all.😪 I haven't been able to wear a regular shoe on my surgical foot for like 3 yrs now and everyday im taping lidocaine patches to my feet just to be able to make it trjough the day and I have been to several foot Dr's just trying to find someone to fix it and none of them want to help me I believe it's because of all my surgeries. I'm trying to get at the realization that I'm just gonna have to live with this pain for the rest of my life but I don't want to have to and still have a little bit of hope that i won't have to but it's very depressing.😪 I pray we both find some relief in this lifetime. 🙏
it may be helpful to see a specialist such as a podiatrist or foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon who can evaluate your feet and offer further treatment options.
I’m so sorry. You’re so young to be dealing with this. I don’t have any new suggestions, just here to say that you are not alone. Sending positive thoughts your way.
I know a guy who found out in his 40s that one of his legs was longer than the other. Not enough for anyone to notice, but he did get a lifter in his shoe to level.him out. I'm sorry you're hurting.
The struggle really is insane. I have the same situation as far as not being able to stand long and being frustrated about not being able to live normally. Have you looked into shockwave or PRP? These are newer technologies. I'm very sorry you are having to struggle for so long! Not sure if they will help in your case, but if you haven't been to a podiatrist in a long time, there may be some things that you could do.
Do you have reflux? When you press buttons, do your finger joints bend? Do your arches collapse (flatten) when you stand or do you have a wide toe box but normal width of foot and normal heel? Headaches?
Also wear wide arch support shoes/trainers that are going to give you the support you need. Flat shoes is a big no no
What’s MTHFR?
i have looked into EDS online pretty deeply and i don’t really qualify as a normal candidate for it. no hyper mobility or anything like that. i also live in japan and unfortunately there’s no specialists here for it so i’m not sure what my next steps would be. do you have it?
general hypermobility at the moment but working towards an eds diagnosis as I have a lot of joint and ligament issues as well as skin hyperextensibility. EDS is difficult to diagnose as there are so many different ways it can manifest and no 2 ppl have the same symptoms. It takes looking at the whole picture over a long time scale to diagnose properly. My daughter is very hypermobile and will most likely be diagnosed with EDS in the near future and she has a completely different set of symptoms and areas of her body that are affected. she's 11 and will probably be diagnosed first because her symptoms are more severe than mine despite having no injury. Might be worth also having a look at the research from Tulane University on MTHFR and connective tissue. https://fasciainstitute.org/folate-deficient.../... . Best of luck on your path to healing.
i’m so sorry melodie! That sounds like quite the journey and i know hoping the surgery or next doctor will help is so exhausting…i’ll be praying for you!
thank you very much 🥺🤍
interesting. how did he come to realize? which doctor helped?
I'm not sure if it was a a back doctor or general practioner.
I haven’t done PRP. Has it worked for you? & thank you 🥺
what PRP?
I haven't tried it, but if I do shockwave and it doesn't work, I might.
platelet rich plasma. All I really know is they use your own blood to help with foot pain. It's worth looking up.
thank you 😊
And
oh of course. i only wear very good shoes with insoles
no headaches, no reflux and no finger joints bending. how can i tell if my foot has a wide toe box? i’ve never heard of that before!
it runs across the foot short ways at the forefoot.
But if you don't have the other things, you wouldn't have what I was thinking of
a genetic mutation where my body doesn’t process b2 or folate correctly
interesting!
many have this genetic marker, you take folate/folnic acid instead. You pain is probably scar tissue off the surgery you had. Maybe they could help you with that
my pain is the same feeling as before my surgery it’s not from the scar tissue and isn’t even near the scar tissue
okay well you asked for opinions didn’t you…
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