Severe foot pain

[crazyinlew]

My adopted daughter suffers with severe pain in the arch of her feet.  Usually one foot at a time, it wakes her up at night, and is relieved with hot foot soaks and motrin.  Its gone on for 3yrs. now and the only diagnosis we have is growing pain.  The pain is now taking place in her hands and the last couple of weeks, her thighs.  I have no medical history except that she is Mian Indian (very small) and was 6 weeks premie. Can anyone help, I can't stand to watch her suffer anymore, not to mention, we could all use some sleep.  Thanks.

[Yena H Do, DPM]

It would be difficult for me to assess without performing some tests.  She would need blood work to rule out arthropathies.  I would also recommend getting a complete CBC to check for bone marrow diseases.  Possibly a bone marrow biopsy may be warranted.  Is the pain during the day or only at night?
Bone pain at night relieved by motrin can suggest tumors such as osteoid osteoma, which is benign.  This can be checked via x-rays or bone scans.

[frogchick]

Sounds like it may be related to nutrition.  Sometimes muscle cramps can be caused by a deficiency.  Something that I do to help with foot cramps is keep a bottle or can next to the bed and roll the arch of my foot over it to help relax the muscle.  
Since the pain is now in thighs and hands, I would be worried as well.  I would take her to a nutritionist if the pediatrician is drawing a blank.

Frogchick

[auntiejessi]

Have you taken her to the doctor?  If you have, it will probably be helpful for the doctors here (when they finally respond), if you give that history.

Aj