Question
I will see a podiatrist, but I do want to be clear here, and to make sure I'm being understood.  

I am not reporting any pain OR any numbness.  My foot feels perfectly normal and perfectly comfortable all the time except for the feeling, when hiking, that my socks are wrinkled underfoot.  That is the ONLY feeling I've got that seems untoward.  And the only reason I came to think that it was a problem with my foot and not just with my footware is that it was always the same foot, and it didn't matter what socks or shoes I wore.
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I have visited your site and read what's there about neuromas.  It seemed from the description that the major symptom of the neuroma is the experience of PAIN.  But whatever is going on in my foot does not involve any feeling of pain (just that sense of there being a wrinkling up of the sock underfoot).  WHich leads me to wish to ask you:  If there's no pain, might it still be a neuroma, or does that fact point to some other possibility?  Thank you.
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It occurs to me that there's another follow-up I would like to ask. Assuming for the moment that you're right that my problem indicates I've got a neuroma, and assuming that this is confirmed by a good podiatrist in the area:  what kinds of treatment(s) does that diagnosis call for?  Are we talking about surgery, or massaging soft tissue, or what?  One reason I ask is that my wife and I are contemplating doing some rather long hiking in late March, and I'd like to know whether this is a problem that, if I get right on it now, would have been cured and ready for some hard walking in that time frame, or if the process of treatment is something that requires more time (either for the treatment itself, or for recovery from the treatment). THanks again.
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I am a 60 year-old man in excellent physical condition. One of my favorite things to do, and my wife's as well, is walking/hiking on various terrains, from sidewalks in cities to trails in the mountains.  My feet have generally always done well.  But something strange has been going on for three or four years now, and I'm wondering if someone with your expertise will be able to explain it and, perhaps, help me change it.

I started noticing a few years ago that when I went out walking, I would frequently stop to adjust my sock because my foot felt uncomfortable in a way that felt that my sock was bunched or lumpy or wrinkled underfoot.  I noticed further that it was ALWAYS my right foot that felt that way.  I explored the shoe, and the foam pad I keep in the shoe-- nothing seemed amiss.  I changed shoes.  I would switch socks from one foot to the other.  

It wasn't the socks, it wasn't the shoes.  I could make minor improvements by working on straightening the socks, or picking off little lumps of lint from the socks (I always where hiking socks)-- but the basic problem remains present.

 For some reason I cannot fathom, there seems to be something in the way my right foot experiences my putting my weight on the sock and the bottom of the shoe that gives me a sensation of lumpiness that my other foot does not get when walking on the same sock-and-shoe combination.  

Do you have any idea what might be going on with my right foot to give me this sensation?  And do you have any suggestions about what I might do about it?

Thank you for your counsel and suggestions in this matter.
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Hi Andrew,

The sensation in your foot that you described is often associated with a pinched or enlarged nerve.  This is often referred to as a neuroma.

It is not likely that the sock if bunched up.

Do you have any conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthriris or autoimmune diseases?  Any back problems?  Any injuries to the leg or foot?

You would benefit from seeing a Podiatrist for x-rays and a diagnosis.  Other causes for your foot problem are possible.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,

Marc Katz, DPM
Tampa, FL
Advanced Podiatry
www.thetampapodiatrist.com
www.tampacryosurgery.com
www.fix-my-foot.com


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Andrew, see my link for information.

http://www.thetampapodiatrist.com/document_disorders.cfm?id=136

Also see information on Cryosurgery, my preferred method if conservative care fails.

www.tampacryosurgery.com

Good Luck.

Sincerely,

Marc Katz, DPM
Tampa, FL
Advanced Podiatry
www.thetampapodiatrist.com
www.tampacryosurgery.com
www.fix-my-foot.com

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Andrew,

It is still possible to just have foot numbness with neuroma.  Another condition that may produce numbness is Tarsal tunnel syndrome.  This is entrapement of the nerve behind the large toe side of the ankle.
Other possibilities include a mass surrounding one of your nerves.

Since there are so many possibilities, I would see a Podiatrist.  You will need an exam, x-rays and possibly an MRI for diagnosis.

Hope that helps.

Sincerely,

Marc Katz, DPM
Tampa, FL
Advanced Podiatry
www.thetampapodiatrist.com
www.tampacryosurgery.com
www.fix-my-foot.com


Answer
Andrew,

If you are concerned about the sensation the I would see a Podiatrist.  The only reason that I recommend seeing someone is to make sure there is not a problem.

Of course, if you are not that worried about it there would be no reason to see anyone.

Sincerely,

Marc Katz, DPM
Tampa, FL
Advanced Podiatry
www.thetampapodiatrist.com
www.tampacryosurgery.com
http://www.fix-my-foot.com