Help! I've had shoulder problems for almost a year, and while recovering, my feet have been taking the exercise burden! The most distressing problem currently is extremely painful metatarsal area. It's gotten so bad, that I can no longer do any weight-bearing exercise, just stationery cycling (and only with metatarsal pad in place).

I'll be done with phys therapy for my shoulder in another 2 months, and by then should be able to take some of the stress off exercising on my feet. I use ice regularly - any other suggestions?

Also, my podiatrist gave me 2 cortisone injections in top of foot area, near ankle, because I also have chronic tarsal canal pain and inflammation; could the cortisone have reduce the padding on my feet? My feet are very bony to begin with, but now it feels like I'm basically walking with no padding when I'm barefoot. The bottom of my right foot is burning terribly, as I type! Is the amount of steroid in Flonase enough to cause this, also? Am I doomed to a lifetime of staying off my feet? My universe is shrinking here.... Help!!!

I have seen damage to the foot from injections generally it is local to the injection site.

What is your body fat %? Are your shoes correctly sized? How much do you exercise?

You can try pushing with the center of your foot on the bike. Have youtried an eliptical machine? Have you tried Aqua Arobobics, Pilaties?

Their are people with a genetic condition were they have no fat in their extremities thus no padding on their feet. They have been helped with full contact foot Orthotics.

Hi,

Thanks for your response.



What is your body fat %? Higher than I'd like, probably about 26%; until I can swim laps again and lift, I just can't get back to the better shape I was in.


Are your shoes correctly sized? yep

How much do you exercise? 40 min on the Lifecyle every other day. When my foot can tolerate, I do quad and hamstring exercises with a theraband plus squats

You can try pushing with the center of your foot on the bike. Yes, as matter of fact, that is the only way in which I can ride right now!

Have youtried an eliptical machine? No can do any longer; creates extreme pain and swelling on foot bottom by a couple of hours after exercising

Have you tried Aqua Arobobics, Ha, there's no way I'd trust myself in a pool; I'd be too tempted to break into freestyle, which is a no-no until my shoulder heals.

Pilaties? Tried it once and absolutely HATED it

Their are people with a genetic condition were they have no fat in their extremities thus no padding on their feet. They have been helped with full contact foot Orthotics.[color=#FF0000] No fat in extremities, haha, well that aint me! I do have custom-made orthotics, have had for years, and yes, they help. Right now, I'm attaching metatarsal pads to them, to take the stress off that area of foot. My feet have always been long, skinny, flat and bony, barely any flesh there. They look like they belong on the body of someone who's torso is long and skinny, not mine, which is short and stocky! I think I'm just going to have to stick to the stationery bike for now; I miss the eliptical trainer, and I miss my 4 mile walks, but unless I want to permanently cripple myself, those activities are not for now!
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Dear Tootsie
Have you tried an orthotic with a metatarsal pad? The patients that I have seen with fat pad atrophy are uaually elderly, patients with congenital foot disorder such as club foot or patients with a history of neurological disorder/trauma/previous surgery which resulted in a high arch foot or plantarflexed metatarsals. Typically a steroid injection to the tarsal tunnel does not lead to fat pad atrophy to the ball of the foot.

Good-luck and thank-you for contacting foot.com,
SBarlizo, DPM, C Ped
foot.com expert

Hi Toosie

I would recommend that your orthotics be remade, if they’re over a year old and have a met bar or a met pad added.

If the pain affects your first through second met heads, then a met bar if it's more 2-4 met pad.

If you are adding your own met pad and have some success see who ever made your device and they should be able make more permanent.

If you see someone else they generally would need to make you a new one.

It sounds like you have some how damaged your metatarsals.

26% body fat is healthy and normal.

There are shoes like Nike max, Z-coil or Spira shoes that have high shock absorbing cusioning qualities have checked any of these out?

Be well