Question
I have had plantar fasciitis for 5 years.  I had the normal relapse but was able to stretch and ice on my own to take care of it.  This past April i had my prescribed orthotics in my tennis shoes and went shopping for the day.  I stood to long and felt pain on the lateral column of my left foot the padding where my pinky toe goes to my heal.  I ended it up at podiatrist office who gave me a cortisone shot.  that where things got bad.  The shot gave me a dead foot i did not have free range to walk... horrible.. so pain never went away and i was placed in a cam walking boot.  I wore this for two weeks only because my right foot started hurting.  I had MRI done last week.  Findings: Nonspecific marrow edema is identified within the distal fifth metatarsal.  Given the history I suspect this to represent a grade 3 osseous stress reaction/microtrabecular fracture. No macro fracture is noted.. :(        I was told I have to wear the walking boot on my right foot... I CANT I am still in pain on my left foot.  I saw chiropractor yesterday who said this is not the normal PF pattern of pain.  I just don't understand how both feet hurt on the soft tissue of lateral column of both feet. I cant wear orthotics. I am told its not PF so how do i heal my feet without sitting in a wheel chair 24 - 7. Chiropractor did acupuncture on both my feet to help with pain and blood flow. I have also incorporated a tens unit and still ice and heat thru out the day.   I am at a loss and i don't know who can help me.  I am scheduled to see Family Dr. next week.  If you or anyone has any suggestions it would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Dear Sherry,
This Chicago Podiatrist, Elmhurst Podiatrist & West Loop Podiatrist says.......
For your foot pain & plantar fasciitis....
Get the MRI copies & go see a Board Certified Podiatrist who can read the MRI's or can have them read by a Podiatrist who specializes in reading them. You may have  fifth metatarsals that have taken more pressure than normal-possibly due to shoes,their position,age,weight or activity.
Usually a Chiropractor & Family Practitioner are not foot specialists-unless they are Board Certified in that area-or have extensive experience.A Board Certified Podiatrist usually has 2-3 years of post-graduate training an then submits to an exam several years later & turns in over 75 cases. I did several hundred.
You may need to have your orthotics redone by an experienced Podiatrist.
Sometimes certain orthotics work better than others-especially in different shoes & activities.
The lack of a heel in a tennis shoe probably irritated your foot condition.
The podiatrist can redo the orthotic,diagnose the problem & read the MRI,possibly do physical therapy or refer out.
Or come see us
Good Luck!
The podiatrists of AnkleNFootCenters.com are specialists in foot & ankle pain.
We are located in Chicago & Elmhurst-45 minutes from both Airports

Additional thoughts: Bring in the shoes you normally wear and the tennis shoes to the podiatrist. Will help in the diagnosis

Dr George Tsatsos & Svetlana Zats
Podiatrist Chicago 60618 & Elmhurst 60126 Podiatrists
Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery & Orthopedics
New South Loop Location-Chicago 60661
AnkleNFoot.com
Runnersdoc.com
BabyFootDoc.com

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