Question
One year ago (April 2009), I had my foot kicked really hard playing indoor soccer.  Since then, the top middle part of my foot hurts when I walk.  It hurts more if I run and it even hurts if I flex my foot upwards.  

I went to a doctor (shortly after the injury) and he looked at it and gave me a cortisone shot.  It felt better for a couple months but then started hurting all the time again.  

I waited until August 2009 to go to another foot doctor to see if he might know something else.  He just said I could keep getting cortisone injections, but I had heard it's not good to get a lot of them so I declined.

Then by the beginning of 2010, I decided to go to a 3rd foot doctor who finally checked out my foot - he did an xray and an MRI.  He said my tendons had been torn and rehealed, but created scar tissue.  He said they were slightly swollen but there was no damage to my actual bones or joints.

For treatment, he said I could either just wear arch supports in my shoes to support it more or he could put me in a walking boot for 4 weeks.  I asked which I should do and he said it's my choice.  I'm not sure what to do - I've read a lot about people having trouble with walking boots.  If it might make my foot stop hurting I'd want to do it, but not injure myself more.  

Can you please advise me if it sounds like a walking boot might solve my pain problem or if it probably won't help?  Could just wearing an arch support help?  I've had pain in this foot for a year and I'm fed up!  

Thanks,
Pamela

Answer
This Chicago & Elmhurst Podiatrist says.......

Dear Pamela,

Please make sure you saw a Board Certified Podiatrist. They are the experts in these kinds of problems!
You can repeat the cortisone injection as long as it is a phosphate base versus an acetate base. The phosphate base has much less tissue side effects-and repeatable if used properly.
I don't like treatment without a diagnosis.
Go get a good diagnosis and explanation to help you make up your mind.
Walking boots should be used in moderate injuries-sounds a little for your injury-unless tendinitis.
An orthotic/orthoses may help-especially when you play.

Try PRICE
Protect-Wear an ankle brace around the foot and limit the movements that aggravate it-maybe tape it.
Rest-Speaks for itself-perhaps the weekend when you are off-rest it.
Ice- Will help if it is still painful and a little with the swelling.  
Compress-Ace wrap or foot or ankle sleeve
Elevate-Will help if it throbs at the end of the day.
Go to our website store at AnkleNFoot.com for examples of wraps, sleeves or supports for your foot. Our website arch supports are temporary and not true orthotics/orthoses

Hope This Helps
Good Luck!

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

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抯 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.