pain and numbness in feet

  Dec 30 1998.
     Can you help me?  I Gave birth to my first child in Nov.  The last two months I developed severe shooting pains in my heels that extended into my instep, especially in the middle of the night when I first got up after laying down for awhile.  My feet had no swelling or rash.
     I thought it would disappear after delivery but now almost two months later I still am bothered by pain.  The sharp pain in my heels has gone but now the top of my feet are painful and numb.  The numbness is in the top of the big toe on the left foot,along the outer side of both feet extending into the small toe.  The skin on top of my feet are the worse.  It always feels like they are riping when I go to reach for something, move to quickly, or poiont them downward.  They seem to feel better whenI have shoes on and walk slowly.
     I also now have developed this sensation with my skin in both my knees
  when I go to cross my legs or kneel on the floor.
     Is there any hope that this with go away soon? and is there a name for this?

[CCF Neuro MD MJD]

Pain in the feet is unfortunately a very nonspecific symptom as many things can cause it affecting bones, softe tissue structures and nerves.  The numbness you describe especially worse at night or when you're off your feet could suggest Neuropathy, a nonspecific term indicating effects on the nerves in the limbs generally the legs.  Neuropathy can cause pain, burning or tingling sensations, or numbness and typically affects feet first symmetrically.  A full neurologic history and exam would support this further, and I recommend this soon - first, because this seems to be worsening in a short time; second, because several tests can be performed to better characterize if this is a nerve disorder (for example, an EMG, an electrical test evaluating the nerves and muscles. If it is indeed a disorder of the nerves then tests can be performed evaluating for the common and treatable causes of neuropathy.  Other problems can mimic neuropathy such as effects on the nerve roots in the back, and, as I stated earlier, other structures in the foot can be responsible for pain, so your symptoms should be evaluated further.