Same issue with my feet

[Daveevad]

Hello to everyone who is having this problem with their feet. I am having the same issure with mine. I had it 3 years ago, and it got much better over the course of time, but nonetheless, I was having to go to chiropractors constantly to have my arches adjusted and my heels yanked out because they were repeatedly getting jammed. This is all on top of the pain in the soles that is a mild, tingling numbness, which compounds the longer I stand on them. If I stand for too long, they take days to recover at all. They don't feel like their my own feet. They hate cool temperatures. Even if the rest of the body is comfortable, the feet need to be very warm or they respnond negatively.

I flared the foot problem up about a month ago by standing for too long on concrete. I've also got a herniated disc in my back, which is badly affected by this problem with my feet.

The questions I have to everyone who is suffering from this seemingly undiagnosable problem are,

1. Do you feel like you have enough intimacy and connectedness with other people in your life?

2. Do you feel sufficiently supported and grounded in your life financially and socially?

3. Do you enjoy life and have a good attitude towards situations and other people?

The reason I ask these questions is because I don't feel at all grounded in my life, I don't have a career or something that I aspire to do with my life, I don't have much fun,  I am very isolated and lonely, and have a completely negative attitude towards life.Basically I feel unsupported and like I can't stand on my own two feet. I think that these underlying feelings are playing into my feet and back problems in a major way and was wondering if anyone can at all relate and agree that the mind may have a lot to do with this chronic foot pain.

Thanks.


This discussion is related to Foot Sole Pain NOT plantar fasciitis .

[PainfullSolesofFeet]

whoo hooo

Thats sooo spooky its as if you know me???

I have no friends left, no family, live alone and was on anti-depressants for 7 years and now no longer take them.

I do feel my life is EMPTY Of love and effection etc, i have a lot of anger inside me and one person who i fell out with once who i didnt know was 20 years in Mental Health and she said i could be suffering from Post Traumatic Stress, i am isolated and lonely also and i feel ussported also,

But this is strange as its if you know me, The doctor prescribed me tablets which i took for 3-4 weeks but didnt help maybe is hould of taken them longer, someone suggested Vitamin B12 And today i bought 60 tablets at 1000mg and will start this week.

I would try anything to help my feet and i must state that when i had loads of friends and company etc i had these pains also.

I was working in my garden the other day moving about etc and not to bad so then i go to KFC for my dinner and as i stand there looking annoyed and trying to be nice my feet hurt, they hurt more and then more just standing, then as soon as the woman took my cash i dive for the first seat i see and then everyone in the waitng line looks at me, yes standing for much longer is like a MIGRANE ON MY FEET, DAM why doesnt someone know whats the matter? ALL MY BLOOD TESTS ARE FINE and i dont have any dibatets etc.

[Daveevad]

Hey,
I think I've found out what we are dealing with here- Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome. It is a rare condition, but is much like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. I went to a neurologist today and he did some tapping on the inner parts of my ankle, where the Posterior Tibial Nerve resides, and I felt an electrical jolt through the bottom of my feet.

Check this site out. All of the symptoms match up with what everyone is saying here.
http://www.podiatrynetwork.com/document_disorders.cfm?id=138

Description

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome is due to compression of a nerve called the Posterior Tibial Nerve.The nerve passes into the foot from around the inside of the ankle just below the ankle bone. Just beyond this point, the nerve enters the foot by passing between a muscle and a bone in the foot. This area is called the Tarsal Tunnel. The Posterior Tibial Nerve is the largest nerve that enters the foot. At the level of the ankle, the nerve branches out like the branches of a tree as it goes out toward the toes. This nerve supplies most of the sensation to the bottom of the foot and the muscles in the bottom of the foot. When pressure is placed on this nerve, a burning or numbness will be experienced on the bottom of the foot. The area of the bottom of the foot that is affected can be variable. Most commonly, it affects the outside portion of the bottom of the foot. It can also affect the toes, mimicking a neuroma. The most common cause of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome is a flat foot or a foot in which the arch flattens excessively while walking. Over time, this causes the nerve to stretch or become compressed in the area of the tarsal tunnel. The condition is slowly progressive and occurs more commonly after 30 – 40 years of age. Other causes of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome are the formation of soft tissue masses such as ganglions, fibromas, or lipomas that may occur in the Tarsal Tunnel and cause compression of the nerve. Also, small varicose veins may form around the nerve that can also cause compression of the nerve.

Flattening of the arch of the foot is due to an abnormal function of a joint complex called the Subtalar Joint. This joint complex is located just below the ankle joint. When this joint allows the foot to flatten excessively, the foot becomes over pronated. Pronation is a normal movement of the foot, but when it occurs too much of the time, it causes several different problems to occur in the foot, one of them being Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome.

Diagnoses

Diagnosis of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome is made by physical exam and the patient's history of their complaint. A history of gradual and progressive burning on the bottom of the foot should alert the doctor to the possible diagnoses. Physical exam will often reveal a flat foot or over-pronation of the foot that is observed when the patient walks. Observation of the area just below the ankle bone on the inside of the ankle may reveal a slight swelling. Tapping with the tips of the fingers or a neurological hammer in this area may reveal a tingling sensation in the bottom of the foot. X-rays may be of little value, because they will not show the nerve or reveal any evidence of soft tissue masses. X-rays may be useful in determining the extent of pronation of the foot but only if the x-ray is taken with the patient bearing full weight on the foot. An MRI may reveal the existence of a soft tissue mass, but will not demonstrate any damage to the nerve. Nerve conduction studies will reveal if there is damage to the Posterior Tibial Nerve, but will be negative in the early stages of the condition.

Other conditions that may cause similar symptoms are diabetic neuropathy, alcoholic neuropathy, or nerve compression at a level higher than the ankle. Poor circulation can also cause burning of the feet. If you experience these symptoms, you should consult your doctor at the earliest possible time.

Treatment

Treatment of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome is directed at correcting the abnormal pronation of the foot. This is accomplished with functional foot orthotics. These devices are custom-made inserts for the shoes that correct abnormal function of the foot. Treatment with oral anti-inflammatory medications, vitamin B supplements, or steroids may provide some benefit, but are rarely curative. Calf muscle stretching can be useful, because it eases the tension and strain about the ankle joint. If the Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome is caused by a soft tissue mass, then surgical removal of the mass may be necessary. Surgical correction of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome in the absence of a soft tissue mass has a very low success rate. This surgery, called nerve decompression, is intended to release the pressure on the nerve by freeing the soft tissue structures about the nerve as it passes through the tarsal tunnel. (See surgical Exploration for Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome) This surgery does not correct the over-pronation of the foot, however, and functional foot orthotics should be worn following the surgery.

When there has been significant damage to the nerve, permanent nerve damage may be present. In this case, a complete cure is very unlikely, and treatment is directed at easing the symptoms. Certain medications available, by prescription from your doctor, may be beneficial for the burning pain that may be experienced at night. Magnetic insole therapy and Galvanic Nerve Stimulation are alternative forms of treatment that may provide relief. A referral to a pain medicine specialist may also be necessary.

[Daveevad]

Another good link
http://www.footphysicians.com/footankleinfo/tarsal-tunnel-syndrome.htm



Causes
Tarsal tunnel syndrome is caused by anything that produces compression on the posterior tibial nerve, such as:

    * A person with flat feet is at risk for developing tarsal tunnel
      syndrome, because the outward tilting of the heel that occurs with
      “fallen arches" can produce strain and compression on the nerve.
    * An enlarged or abnormal structure that occupies space within the
      tunnel can compress the nerve. Some examples include a varicose
      vein, ganglion cyst, swollen tendon, and arthritic bone spur.
    * An injury, such as an ankle sprain, may produce inflammation and
      swelling in or near the tunnel, resulting in compression of the nerve.
    * A person who is overweight may be prone to experiencing pressure
      on the posterior tibial nerve.
    * Systemic diseases such as diabetes or arthritis can cause swelling, thus compressing the nerve.

Diagnosis
The foot and ankle surgeon will examine the foot to arrive at a diagnosis and determine if there is any loss of feeling. During this examination, the surgeon will position the foot and tap on the nerve to see if the symptoms can be reproduced.He or she will also press on the area to help determine if a small mass is present.

Sometimes an MRI is ordered, usually if a mass is suspected or in cases where initial treatment does not reduce the symptoms. In addition, special studies used to evaluate nerve problems—electromyography and nerve conduction velocity (EMG/NCV)—may be ordered if the condition shows no improvement with non-surgical treatment.



Treatment
A variety of treatment options, often used in combination, are available to treat tarsal tunnel syndrome.

These include:

    * Rest. Staying off the foot prevents further injury and encourages healing.
    * Ice. To reduce swelling in the tarsal tunnel, apply a bag of ice
      over a thin towel to the affected area for 20 minutes of each waking
      hour. Do not put ice directly against the skin.
    * Oral medications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),
      such as ibuprofen, help reduce the pain and inflammation.
    * Immobilization. Restricting movement of the foot by wearing a cast is sometimes necessary to enable the nerve and surrounding tissue to heal.
    * Physical therapy. Ultrasound therapy, exercises, and other forms of physical therapy may be prescribed to reduce symptoms.
    * Injection therapy. Injections of a local anesthetic provide pain
      relief, and an injected corticosteroid may be useful in treating
      the inflammation.
    * Orthotic devices. Custom shoe inserts may be prescribed to help
      maintain the arch and limit excessive motion that can cause compression on the nerve.
    * Shoes. Supportive shoes, as recommended by your foot and ankle
      surgeon, may prove helpful.
    * Bracing. Patients with flatfoot or those with severe symptoms and
      nerve damage may be fitted with a brace to reduce the amount of
      pressure on the foot.
    * Surgery. Sometimes surgery is the best option for treating tarsal
      tunnel syndrome. The foot and ankle surgeon will determine if surgery is necessary and will select the appropriate procedure or procedures based on the cause of the condition.