Question
Yesterday I played active basketball with my siblings. No injuries save for a jammed thumb, and I was wearing athletic shoes. When I woke up this morning, the tops of my feet mostly left compared to the right, burn and are stiff after long spells of being still or rested. Almost to the point that I can barely walk at first, but once I push through the pain, my foot pain subsides mostly after about 10 minutes give or take. I'm only 5'7" and I'm about 300lbs at 28 y/o. I recently gained a lot of weight due to mobility issues as a result of a back injury where I lost use of my right leg. I have had this problem before, but when I went to the doctor, they took xray and an MRI saying nothing is broken and my arches are in great condition. What would cause the pain, and such stiffness after periods of rest. The location of the pain is on the top of the foot right before where the 3rd 4th and 5th toes extend off the foot and it so much more pronounced on the left foot than the right. Please give advice. I've given up on my local dr.

Answer
Hi Roddi,

If you don't play basketball on a regular basis and then you go out and play, you will be seriously stressing the joints, muscles and tendons of the feet.  When you couple that with weight gain you likely have what we call overuse syndrome.  This will cause stiffness and aching of the feet and ankles.  When you first stand up it will take time for the stiffness and pain to be relieved.  Ocer time you should improve.  You can try supportive shoes, ice and anti-inflammatories if you are not allergic.  I would also look into a weight loss program so that you can maintain activity over the long term.

Good Luck.

Sincerely,

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