Foot Pain

[tkrause66]

I am at wits end and would appreciate any suggestions. I have had SEVERE foot pain for 16 years all over feet, mostly lower side. I have had two plantar fascia releases with no help (there is much evidence I never had Plantar Fasciitis to begin with). I also have been to many, man doctors, most of this was 12 - 15 years ago. . I have had ever test conceivable, MRI Nerve Conductivity, Xrays, Blood tests, Cortizone shots, multiple orthotic inserts, probably some I have forgotten. All tests showed nothing abnormal. I recently returned to medical professionals hoping for advancements. Unfortunately it looks like I am still at square one, nobody can give me ideas or hopes for diagnosis and relief. This issue has caused severe depression and sleepless nights.
Some background information. I do have degenerative disk between l4 and 5 and was also in a pretty strong automobile collision, where I was sitting still and was hit about 55 mph from behind causing severe whiplash at the time.
I appreciate any feedback.
Thanks,
Tom

[DrJim]

As I was reading your post, before I got to the "background information", my first thought was this sounds like a spinal condition, not foot condition, even though you are feeling it in your feet. L4 and L5 intervate both the bottom and top of the feet. From your information, it sounds as though your condition is likely due to a pinched nerve within the spine. Have you had a spinal MRI done? A myelogram? Have you tried physical therapy on the spine to see if this helps to relax a possible nerve impingement? If you have in fact done these without any results, then I would consult with a neurosurgeon at this point, if you have not already done so for further evaluation.

[tkrause66]

I have had MRI's done, probably 14-15 years ago now. I do have an appointment with neurologist
next week. I agree that it appears to be nerve related somewhere that has been missed years ago. Pain is most prevalent standing still, driving car for longer distances, sitting also creates issues, and laying in bed. The standing still and sitting in car really point me to back issues, it just seems when I get in certain situations the pain just goes crazy. I appreciate you taking time to respond, after so many years it is getting hard to get people to listen. I will follow up if I can make any head way.
Thanks again,
Tom

[pennywisemt]

I have had foot pain for about 6 years, with numbness, tingling, burning, swelling. I had an MRI which showed arthritis in my back. I know I have Morton neuroma too, but the pain is more than that. The nerves on the top of my feet are extremely sensitive, and zing to the touch. I have to buy shoes a size larger and don't where them if I don't have to. I can't wear socks. They pain lately has been traveling up my legs and into my butt, although I do sit all day working as a medical transcriptionist. My doctor wants me to have a vascular study done but my insurance doesn't cover it.

[DrJim]

Your condition could be vascular related, however, sounds more of a neurological situation. The MRI you had done which showed arthritis, did it state whether there maybe narrowing of the spinal canal, in turn resulting in possible compression of a spinal nerve(s)? If this is a vascular issue, usually other symptoms are present as well, such as very cold feet, no hair growth on the feet, color change of the skin such as a dusky condition. Sometimes, these conditions, however, are not present until later on as the vascular disease progresses. I would try to find out more about the MRI of the back, exactly what it found and if it was a spinal MRI series of the entire back.