Question
I have been to a podiatrist for a number of years with several different troubles. I have had plantar fascitis, tendonistis, Postierior Tibial tendonitis and RSD( Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) which began in my thumb injury. I have since developed trouble with the left outside underneath area of the head of the 5th metatarsal bone which radiates back towards the heal area on the outside and around the outside of the bone itself. I have had custom orthotics through the entire problems. They have tried numerous times to accomodate this bone by making the orthotic wider and softer material but it takes for ever and with no guarantee that it will work. I just got it back to try again. I have tried resting this area, cold and warm treatments. It does become red, achy and pressure is felt. It is worse as the day goes on as I am on my feet somedays for 8 hours with an hour lunch about 5 hours in. I work part-time right now and am working on going back to school in the fall. I was wondering if you have had others that have had this trouble and what you suggest might be going on? This latest problem has been around since Feb.2009 and I went to the doc in March 2009 after a month of it not going away. Since then we have been trying the orthotic thing hoping that we can find a cure. Any suggestions?

Answer
Hi Kathy,

Some of your symptoms sound nerve related since you feel the pain radiating back to your heel.  This may be coming from a nerve known as the sural nerve.  I have had patients with this problem and I perform a procedure known as cryosurgery or neuroablation.  This kills the nerve that causes the painful sensation but does not cause problems with walking.  See my site for more information.

www.tampacryosurgery.com

Sincerely,

Marc Katz, DPM
Tampa, FL
Advanced Podiatry
www.thetampapodiatrist.com
www.tampacryosurgery.com

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