Expert: Dr. Marc Katz - 10/5/2009

Question
Hi!

I am a 46-year old female and have recently in the last several weeks been experiencing some pain in my left foot.  I notice I cannot move my foot in a circle or curve my foot inward without feeling pain.  I can do this with ease with my right foot. The pain is hard to pinpoint; it almost seems to move around when I massage the area, but may originate below the large ankle bone near the joint area.  I would like to know the name of this joint right below the ankle on the side of my foot?  If I rest my foot for 15 minutes during the day, and get up to walk, I have pain in this area and it seems stiff until I've taken about 20 steps.  I'm fine when standing for long periods of time as long as I don't turn my left foot on its side.  For the last 18 years, I've been a homemaker and also work full-time as a daycare provider from home wearing sandals or tennis shoes.  I would occasionally wear high heels to church, but found this to really apply the pressure to this area, so I've stopped.  I walk for exercise, although I'm unfortunately about 60 pounds overweight.  I'm 5'5 with a large- boned frame and should weigh around 130.  I want to continue exercising, however, I don't want to injure myself.  I generally walk for 45 minutes to an hour for exercise and it really doesn't bother me to do this, only later my foot intermittently hurts and becomes stiff.  It's strange.  I only feel trouble when I'm not walking! I have had a good pair of Reebok walking shoes the last couple of years and they seem to bring the most comfort throughout the day so I tend to now wear these constantly while working with the children. I have fairly flat feet and do not walk barefoot.  I've never had an injury to my knowledge in this area, although about 4 years ago, a heavy glass vase fell only at the base of my big toe on this same foot, and I thought the toe may have been broken, but it healed up quite nicely.  At bedtime, I often experience a dull achiness in this joint area and nightly massage the entire foot which makes it feel better.  I also have pain first thing in the morning after I get out of bed until I am able to walk.  As far as I know, I am not a diabetic although my brother is 54 and was diagnosed 2 years ago with Type 2.  Daily, I take .175mcg of Levothroid (for hypothyroidism and have been on this prescription since age 28), a multivitamin, and extra vitamin C.  I have thought about purchasing some WalkFit orthotics to see if this would relieve the pain since I cannot afford the $400 orthotics my chiropractor recommended.

Any information you could give me would be appreciated.  


Thank you,

Sheryl

Answer
Hi Sheryl,

The joints on the side below the ankle are the talonavicular and calcaneocuboid joints.  I would see a podiatrist and have an x-ray.  I would consider orthotic devices.  You could talk to your podiatrist about physical therapy and exercises.

It is really difficult to make a diagnosis even as thorough as you were in your description.

Sincerely,

Marc Katz, DPM
Tampa, FL
Advanced Podiatry
http://www.thetampapodiatrist.com
http://www.tampacryosurgery.com
http://katzpodiatristtampa.blogspot.com
http://painfoot.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/TampaPodiatrist
http://www.facebook.com/markatz?ref=name#/profile.php?id=100000260088035&ref=nam...

DISCLAIMER:
This information is offered as free advice and as general information. It may not be applicable to the specific questioner and his/her problem.  It is not based on actual knowledge of the questioner or his/her medical history and it cannot and should not be relied upon as definitive medical opinion or advice.  Reliable medical opinion and advice can only be obtained through hands-on physical contact and exam of the patient to establish an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.  No doctor/patient relationship is created or established here and may not be inferred through answers on this site.  The questioner and other readers must consult his/her own doctor before proceeding or implementing any suggestions contained within this document and answers on this site.  The questioner is only to act upon his/her own doctor’s orders and recommendations. By reading this posting which follows, the reader fully understands and confirms that he/she holds harmless this writer. If this is not fully agreeable to you, the reader, and/or you have not attained the age of 18 years, you hereby are advised to read no further.