Pain on ball of foot

[Winikor]

I have an intense pain on the ball of one foot.  It also happened about 6 years ago and I went to a podiatrist who recommended an orthodic insert and I also did stretches for the achilles tendon.  It helped.  The pain is back and none of the two remedies are helping now.  What should I do?  It hurts all the time.  I do quite a bit of walking at my job.

[Michael L Gross, MD]

Foot pain has many causes.  From your description and response to Achilles stretching, I am suspicious of plantar fasciitis. This can be very responsive to stretching, of both the achilles and bottom of the foot, icing, and arch supports. Advanced treatments also include corticosteroid injections, platelet rich plasma therapy, and high energy shock wave therapy. All have their proponents and detractors. Many of my patients have had success with acupuncture for plantar fasciitis. As a last resort, there are surgical procedures.

[Michael L Gross, MD]

Don't know anyone in your area.  Check with the local medical school.

[Winikor]

Thank you so much for your advice.  I was calling it the "ball" of the foot but it's actually in the heel.  I decided to go to an acupunturist per your advice and my daughter's (who is an acupuncturist in another state).  It is right now still very painful but about 20% less painful when I walk than it was before my acupuncture treatment.  I was told also that it may be a bone spur so I may need an x-ray???  I was stretching thinking it was the achiles tendon but the acupuncturist told me not to do that and to use warm water and massage.  I bought arnica gel to rub on the heel before massaging.  I am in South Florida, can you recommend a specialist down here in case the acupuncture does not ultimately help me?
Thank you very much.