I have been experiencing pain in the big toe area of one foot and in the balls of my feet in both feet. It started about six months ago with a sharp, recurring pain on the side of the bone of my big toe of my right foot -- exactly where a bunion would be, but there is no bunion or bump of any kind there. The pain is worse if I step on my foot in a certain way or lift my big toe up, and it is definitely worse with certain shoes. I am unable to stand on my tiptoes on that foot while barefoot. I have noticed I have started walking on the outside of that foot to avoid putting pressure on my big toe. I have tried a gel toe separator and some of those donut-shaped sticky bunion protectors, but that didn't work.
In the last couple months, I have had worsening pain in the balls of both feet as well. It is worse when I first get out of bed or after I have been sitting for a while -- I limp terribly for several steps, and then it gradually gets better. The pain is generally in the middle of the ball of my foot and is getting worse every week.
I walk three to five miles a day and I never wear high heels to work.
When I go walking, I have begun wearing my old custom orthotics, which were made for me several years ago when I had a bad case of Plantar Fascitis (I don't seem to have that problem anymore). I don't think the orthotics are hurting, but they're not helping either, probably because they're not made for my current problem.
I am considering getting orthotics with a metatarsal cushion. Will this do the trick? Is the pain in the bunion area of my big toe and in the balls of my feet related?