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What Is The Cause Of Chronic Pain In Feet?

I have chronic pain in the ball of both feet right behind the toes. I have been told that my high arches probably are a contributing factor. I have tried custom arches but it didn t seem to help. I have had some shots that seem to help temporarily. Any suggestions? YYYY@YYYY
Fri, 2 May 2014
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Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement 's  Response
Hi Sorry for hear about your problems.

Although I have not seen your foot arches, it looks like the pain from the ball of your great toes is most likely caused due to two reasons
1) Sesamoiditis: Sesamoids are very small 'cartilage bones' present in the tenon of the great toe. They actually carry 50 % of a person's weight. if your arches are high, there is a likelihood that high pressure impact is occurring in the gait cycle on the ball of the toes, giving rise to inflammation of the sesamoids.
2) Hallux rigidus: A condition causing pain, swelling and inflammation of the ball of the toe but rather than causing pain on the plantar surface like in sesamoiditis, it causes symptoms on the top or side of the ball of the toe.
The former will require soft foot wear to take the impact of the foot in the gait cycle, failing which the sesamoids need surgical displacement to prevent impact and pain. The latter will require an extra depth and extra-width footwear and a rigid forefoot orthosis, so that movements are restricted and this reduces swelling inflammation and pain.
Hope this helps

Dr Purushottam Reddy Padala MS(Ortho), FRCS
Happy feet foot clinics
Hyderabad
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What Is The Cause Of Chronic Pain In Feet?

Hi Sorry for hear about your problems. Although I have not seen your foot arches, it looks like the pain from the ball of your great toes is most likely caused due to two reasons 1) Sesamoiditis: Sesamoids are very small cartilage bones present in the tenon of the great toe. They actually carry 50 % of a person s weight. if your arches are high, there is a likelihood that high pressure impact is occurring in the gait cycle on the ball of the toes, giving rise to inflammation of the sesamoids. 2) Hallux rigidus: A condition causing pain, swelling and inflammation of the ball of the toe but rather than causing pain on the plantar surface like in sesamoiditis, it causes symptoms on the top or side of the ball of the toe. The former will require soft foot wear to take the impact of the foot in the gait cycle, failing which the sesamoids need surgical displacement to prevent impact and pain. The latter will require an extra depth and extra-width footwear and a rigid forefoot orthosis, so that movements are restricted and this reduces swelling inflammation and pain. Hope this helps Dr Purushottam Reddy Padala MS(Ortho), FRCS Happy feet foot clinics Hyderabad