Pre-hike foot issues

[Nomaderwhat]

I have been dealing with chronic foot pain for the past 8 months or so. Every couple months I'll wake up, and barely be able to walk for about 3 days. Then it goes away. My doctor can't figure it out either.. possibly gout, tendonitis, stress fracture. Anyways, I'm terrified this could end up making my thru-hike a nightmare. I have no intention of giving up my plans however. Anyone with similar issues, or advice? Any boot suggestions?

[JokerJersey]

I'm going to assume you are going to a general practioner type doctor and not a specialist, as you just said "doctor". I would recommend having your doctor refer you to a podiatrist or perhaps someone involved with sports medicine. My ex had issues with her feet that wound up getting her discharged from the Marines and the naval doctors couldn't pin it down either. It took going to a specialist/podiatrist to get it diagnosed and worked out. Even then, it took 2 surgeries to really correct the problem. Good luck though whatever you decide to do!

[Nomaderwhat]

I know I should see a specialist, but once I start heading down that road, the finances will deplete to the point that I won't be able to do the hike anyways. So I've got a catch 22 on my hands.

[Many Walks]

There have been a lot of discussions on WB about foot pain and several people have dealt with it. You might search the forums for info, or if you can better describe the pain location, boots and insoles you use then someone here might be able to lend some advice for you to look into. Good luck.

[Spokes]

I have been dealing with chronic foot pain for the past 8 months or so. Every couple months I'll wake up, and barely be able to walk for about 3 days. Then it goes away. My doctor can't figure it out either.. possibly gout, tendonitis, stress fracture. Anyways, I'm terrified this could end up making my thru-hike a nightmare. I have no intention of giving up my plans however. Anyone with similar issues, or advice? Any boot suggestions?

Way too little info here- is the pain on your heel, arch, or toes? Does the pain generally get better as the days goes on? What activity were you doing just prior to the pains onset?
More specifics would help.......

[Nomaderwhat]

I know there are a million foot posts, but I figure there are a million posts on every topic, so nothing can be discussed too much I suppose. Anyways, I know you guys aren't podiatrists, but here are more specifics.

It seems like every time it happens, the pain switches feet.. but same location on the foot it attacks. It feels like a deep tissue thing, and you can't press anywhere to bring the pain on.. it only happens when I take a step or press up on my foot under my pinky toes (near the balls of my feet). It runs along the top right portion of my foot, and seems to be the worst in the mornings when I wake up. Its gradually more tolerable as I stretch it out through the day however. I don't know what brings it on, it seems random. There isn't any heel pain with it.

[Nomaderwhat]

Hey Joker Jersey, I'm from Audubon, NJ. Moving back up there in a month or so, to start prepping for the hike with my bro. You going alone?

[Tinker]

Something like this: http://www.podiatrychannel.com/morto...ma/index.shtml ?
I had the condition 25 years ago. It took several shots of cortizone, custom orthotics, and shoes with a wider forefoot to fix it.

[Spirit Walker]

It really would be a good idea to get a real podiatrist's response though. A stress fracture will heal on its own, but other issues will just get worse if ignored.

I know how frustrating it is to have undiagnosed and untreated foot problems. My husband has had to deal with a broken toe, Morton's neuroma on both feet, and metatarsalgia. Each affected our ability to hike. Then there's the arthritis that we both have, which hasn't stopped us, but can cause some real pain too.

Where the pain is located is important, also when, and even what type shoes you've been wearing. What kind of miles?

My husband can't wear light shoes, he needs a rigid last. Too much flexibility kills his feet. Some people, OTOH, have more problems with stiff boots than they do with flexible shoes.

[JokerJersey]

Hey Joker Jersey, I'm from Audubon, NJ. Moving back up there in a month or so, to start prepping for the hike with my bro. You going alone?

PM'd ya so we can keep your thread on topic for your feet's sake.

[Lostone]

Maybe you should buy a SPOT just in case you need a rescue.

Seriously, deal with it before you thru. Irresponsible if you don't.

[Nomaderwhat]

Irresponsible? Couldn't you call the hike itself irresponsible? If I cared about responsibility, I'd have a whole different life path right now. I'm pretty sure there are plenty of people who do this hike with serious ailments i.e. arthritis, diabetes, etc. I may just need better shoes.

[JoshStover]

It kinda sounds like gout or neuropathy to me but I am no specialist. If at all possible I would go see a specialist, they may be able to fix you right up. I know several people with similiar issues and after seeing a specialist they were back to normal. Could be a simple fix like corrective insoles or it could me a bigger deal and maybe require surgery. You wont know for sure until you get it checked out by someone who really knows what they are talking about...

[Connie]

It sounds like Morton's neuroma to me.

I had a problem. The third metatarsal arch slipped, when I fell.

I also had pain from heel strike aggravating sciatica. Lot's of Feldenkreis physiotherapy and a solid Rainey Jacket back brace later, much better.

The foot problem was helped by a cast over my knee, rest, and referral to a podiatrist specialist I could not afford.

I was referred to a podiatry college. I got the best care, because the top in his specialty podiatrist examined and supervised each stage of progress.

I use Best Feet solid black "plastic" inserts, now.

No "heel strike" problem. No metatarsal arch problem.

Inquire if there is a podiatry college reasonably nearby, and is there a program.

[BrianLe]

I'm still healing from surgery for Morton's Neuroma just under a month ago; while I've no medical background, and I don't doubt that the same general condition can cause different subjective feelings in different people, I can say that the description in the sixth post in this thread doesn't sound like what I had. I had sort of mild pain/numbness, nothing on the top of my foot, and it definitely didn't switch feet (!). Manipulation could trigger a kind of clicking between the second and third smallest toes. When cut out, the nerve section was verified by pathology to have been damaged.

I have no idea what the issue is here (heck, maybe it is a variant of Morton's Neuroma), just saying FWIW that I know that I had this Neuroma and it doesn't sound the same.

[JoshStover]

Doesnt really sound like Neuroma to me either the more I think about it...

[Nomaderwhat]

I was thinking most likely gout or a tendon issue. Although it is in a strange location to be gout. I hope some better support will solve the problem.

[zeus307]

Sounds likd Plantar Facietius! It sucks! I have it also and it is not fun!!!! Just lots of streches and motrin. Ask your Dr. for an antiinflamitory. That helps also roll your foot on a frozen coke bottle!! It helps!! good luck!!

[Don H]

If it's gout you will need a diet change and medication. I had it and it' no fun!

[mudhead]

It seems like every time it happens, the pain switches feet.. but same location on the foot it attacks. It feels like a deep tissue thing, and you can't press anywhere to bring the pain on.. it only happens when I take a step or press up on my foot under my pinky toes (near the balls of my feet). It runs along the top right portion of my foot, and seems to be the worst in the mornings when I wake up. Its gradually more tolerable as I stretch it out through the day however. I don't know what brings it on, it seems random. There isn't any heel pain with it.

Top of foot?

Any chance you have a giant folded heavy bedspread or comforter at the foot of your bed?

Do you wind your feet up in a twisted position when you sleep?