Question
I have had pain in the foot, especially under the ball of the foot, for some
years off and on. It all started after intensive walking tours of New York city.
The orthopedic surgeon said it was fallen arches and gave me orthopedic
inserts for my shoes. After several years it got better. However, the pain has
started again, pretty severe whenever I take a step on the right foot. When I'm
sitting or lying it is OK. The doctor said it is again my flat feet, however he
hasn't taken a new X-Ray or MRI. He gave me a shoe to take pressure off the
foot, but my job involves walking and I can't use it all the time. Do you think
this can really be flat feet? Would a fracture or anything else have swelling
symptoms (I do not have swelling). Do I need a new MRI? Or can flat feet
really cause so much pain? I wasn't convinced it was flat feet the first time,
although we did take an MRI at the time which showed no other problems.
Thanks very much for your help, I do not want an MRI unless it is really
necessary, and the orthopedic surgeon here did not want to prescribe it. But I
will insist if that will help clear this up.

Answer
Hi Cheryl,

If you have flat feet that may cause other sources of pain.  Some problems may be seen on x-ray or MRI however an exam from a podiatrist would be your best option.  There would likely be no stress fracture without swelling or redness.  Some possibilities may be a neuroma that leads to forefoot pain.  This usually aches cramps and burn, possibly into the toes.   I would see the podiatrist.

Sincerely,

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

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