First metatarsal joint pain on the bottom of both feet.

I have a purple-red bruise the size of a quarter under my medial sesamoid bone on both feet, causing much pain.  The bruises began 8 months ago shortly after I began wearing hard orthotics and a higher stability shoe.  I stopped wearing the orthotics and shoes 6 weeks ago.  Multiple podiatrist and orthopedic doctor visits have resulted in the diagnosis "we could operate and remove or shave the sesamoids, but it may not help; or, learn to live with it."  MRIs and Xrays show good bone and ligament structture.  I have been off work for 8 weeks with very minimal walking.  I have tried acupuncture, chiropractic, cortisone injections, oral and topical anti inflammatories, hot water, cold water, Epsom salts, rest, and the following homeopathic remedies: arnicare cream, traumaheel cream, symphytom officinale and alpha lipoic acid.  Of these attempts, the only noticeable improvements came after the cortisone shots, cold water and rest.  I can't walk - what can I do?  Should I try a softer orthotic?

[Yena H Do, DPM]

have your podiatrist put you in a removable cast.  place a thick sole liner on the bottom of the cast with a cut out for the sesamoids.  if you wear this for 6 weeks, this usually calms down the sesamoids.  if it helps, transition to an orthotic with a sesamoid cut out and wear them in shoes that are not flimsy.  
you may also want to try wearing MBT shoes that have a rocker bottom.  this helps to take the pressure off the forefoot when you walk.  refrain from walking bare foot on hard floors.