Foot Pain - Where should I go?

ViperMAN

Hi everyone,

I am not sure if this is the correct forum, but I am hoping some runners might be able to help me.

I am struggling to resolve an issue that I have with my foot, and I am hoping that someone could point me in the right direction. 

I am not looking for medical advice. I'd like to hear if someone has experienced something similar and what route they took to resolve (podiatrist, doctor, physio, etc).

Last year, I got a mild pain in the ball of my left foot. This went on for a few months, but it was mild so it didn't bother me. In January of this year, I started to get concerned that it was still ongoing so I went to a podiatrist to resolve. After some checks, I was diagnosed with "Flexor hallucis longus and brevis weakness + slight restriction in 1st joint mobility". I was assigned some simple exercises (strengthening big toe, calves & stretching the big toe) and I was told that this could be resolved in 3/4 weeks.

Long story short, it's now nearly October and I have spent over €700 and it is still not resolved. I have gotten temporary insoles (not full custom made orthotics) and these have been changed over the months by increasing padding in certain areas. I have changed between various strengthening and stretching exercises, changed footwear, etc.

My issue now is more than just a mild dull pain in the ball of my foot. Sometimes, I can get a sharp pain on the inside the same foot (above the arch, below the big toe and to the side of the ball of foot).

The clinic I was going to have more or less washed their hands of me, without actually telling me. They schedule checkin calls, but never ring me. I am going back to them on next steps so I fear they don't know what to do next.

So, my question is... where should I go to next? I don't want to go around the houses spending another 700 quid on the hope that someone can help.

I could try a different podiatrist, they are foot experts after all.Someone said I should get a scan to rule out a break/fracture - so maybe I should go to a doctor/gp. I have also heard that a cortisone injection can help a foot recover.If this is a strength/stretching issue - perhaps a physio.

Does anyone had something similar, who did you go to?

Burkie1203

I had similar issues. Thought it was Plantar.

Turned out to be a cartilage issue which was fixed with an injection and a small anti inflammatory prescription but likewise spent a fortune on several physios who just went with the its plantar , take it easy routine

ViperMAN

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117952244#Comment_117952244

Thanks for your reply!

Where did you go to get it sorted? Your GP?

Burkie1203

Yeah go to a doctor

ViperMAN

Will do - thanks Burkie!

croaks

Have you tried Orthotic Insoles. They helped my foot pain with orthotics. I found them very nice and helpful to deal with.

AMTE_21

I wenot not to a Podiatrist and along with exercises she did laser treatment which worked for me. I still do the exercises.

Kellygirl

I would go to a good trustworthy physio who will check all the muscles / ligaments / tendons / joints and see if anything is out of whack and causing a knock on effect. It needs to be a good hands on physio though so go by word of mouth. Quite a few physios send you off with a whole load of exercises but don’t fix the problem.

murph226

Can anyone recommend a podiatrist/chiropodist in Cork that won't try and sell me orthotics?