What Causes Persistent Discomfort In Both Feet?

Posted on Sun, 26 Mar 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 26 Mar 2017 Answered on

Wed, 19 Apr 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I have a discomfort in both feet. This started periodically about 8 years ago . Now continuous. I have type 2 diabetes. The feeling is of stiffness, or contraction of tissue/muscles inside the bottom of my feet. Sometimes there is a feeling of constriction around my ankles and rarely up to my calf muscles this also goes away sometimes within the same day,It appears I have numbness at the bottom of my feet and toes. If I stub my toe, lets say, the pain to my brain seems to take 1 - 2 seconds rather than instant on occasions before. I have been to a foot clinic and the Dr. there said I have perfect feet !! All things about my feet checked out perfectly ! Nothing wrong but could not give a suggestion for my sensations. The feeling in my feet/toes do change from day to day. They are quit evident in the morning when I wake. Some mornings more obvious than other mornings. Another way to describe is to say I am walking on pads of jelly. Also if I stretch my feet forward there seems to be a bulging up of this jelly pad. If I stretch my feet backwards there seems to be a stretching of tissue throughout the bottom of both feet. Last check my A1C is 8.3

Second issue : I have gained weight in the last 5 months. I did weigh 240 lbs for the last 5 yeas or more. I now weigh 260 and have been up to 270 in February ! My biggest increase in volume has been around my mid section/ belly, with an obvious bulge below my stomach/above my groin. It is soft and sometimes give me pain. Also if I sit a long time, then get up I am very stiff to get XXXXXXX and I do have pain in the area of the groin where my legs attach to my hip in front.
What are your thoughts.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
may be neuropathy

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

With a history of diabetes, HbA1c of 8.3 , it is quite likely that the symptoms in the lower limbs are related to neuropathy as mentioned.

This is a known complication of diabetes

It can present in different ways such as numbness, tingling ,pain (sharp, sticking, burning, cramping/constriction).

There are medications that can be used to help treat neuropathy but the main aspect of treatment consist of controlling the blood sugars to prevent further damage.
Medications such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline, lyrica, tegretol, gabapentin-- are used to treat neuropathy.

In terms of the weight gain: weight gain can sometimes be due to hormonal issues such as low thyroid hormone or excess cortisol hormone.
Blood tests may need to be done , particularly for the thyroid which is more common, to rule this out.

The abdominal wall consist of skin, fatty tissue, muscles. Irritation/inflammation of any of these areas can cause pain.
Pain can also be related to underlying organs as well though additional symptoms such as change in appetite, change in bowel movements , fever, nausea or vomiting are normally present if the organs are involved.

If it continues the it would be best to be examined by your doctor, the exact location of the pain needs to be pinpointed.

The pain in the groin may also be related to the pelvis itself, it is possible that there may be arthritic changes in the pelvis or hip area. This causes pain and stiffness.
Imaging such as x ray would be needed

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (2 hours later)

Thank you very much for your option. I have a follow up appointment with my NP on April 6. This visit is also to follow up on blood work that was done earlier, to get the results. I do not know if my Thyroid function was checked at that time. I will also quiz if my frontal hip pain could be connected to arthritis. This has not entered my mind. Thanks. The organ symptoms mentioned above. I don't think I am experiencing in any of those ways. I had the stiffness and the pain through this mid day , but now at 10:48 pm I feel relatively fine and have no symptoms. I guess I am still wandering about the fullness at the bottom of my feet as if the tissues inside my feet have a texture of jell or walking on a "water bed"
Again thank you so much and we will stay in touch

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
neuropathy examination

Detailed Answer:
No problem

Assessment of the nerves of the feet would involve: (1) inspection of the feet,
(2) testing vibration sensation/if you can feel the tuning fork,
(3) reflexes at the knees and ankles,
(4)using a 10g monofilament to see if you can feel it. This is a small plastic 'stick' that is placed on 5 points of the foot to see if the patient can detect it
(5)position sense. The great toe is moved and the person is required to state position

In general , a diabetic is supposed to have these done at least once a year looking for nerve damage even if they have no symptoms.
I have picked up early nerve changes with these annual examinations

Please feel free to ask anything else

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (27 minutes later)

Thank you so much
I will keep you updated as things progress

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (18 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
no problem

Detailed Answer:
That's fine

Wishing you the best

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar