Foot pain question (non-gross PIP).

[Deleted]

I want to start running again.  I gave it a brief go this summer, but a) humidity fuckno, and b) my foot kept hurting.

My foot pain has pretty much disappeared since I basically stopped wearing shoes.  For the most part, I have been doing almost all walking in a pair of very supportive flip flops.  (No seriously, they're from Lands End and are thick with major arch support.)

Basically, any time I put on shoes, the side of my right foot hurts.  I went on a brisk walk this morning wearing my running shoes.  It didn't hurt, but I felt like there was some pressure on my right foot that wasn't on my left.  I tried on dress shoes at Cole Haan on Sunday - all the styles that people swear up and down are comfortable - and everything that was even slightly snug made my foot hurt.  The heels (which I haven't worn in a year probably) made me want to cry.  If I've been wearing non-flip flops, it will sometimes be tender to the touch at the end of the day.

Any clue what this could be?  Or what I should do?  I tend to shy away from NSAIDs because of my stomach, but I could do it if I start taking them with milk.  I was looking at pictures of myself yesterday from 60 pounds ago.  I really want to get back to that, and I was most effective at losing weight/maintaining weight loss while running regularly.  I'm trying to avoid the doctor because we're trying to get our financial house in order, and this clearly isn't life-threatening.

An illustration of where the pain is:

ETA: currently, it is tender to a firm touch on the slight underside of the red spot.  Not the direct bottom of the foot, but more like the bottom half of the side.

Attachment Deleted

[joenali]

Bunion??

[Deleted]

Sept 3, 2013 8:38:50 GMT -5 joenali said:

Bunion??

I am sooooo afraid of this.  There is no visible physical deformity, though.  And the pain definitely comes and goes.  Is there any way to treat them without surgery?  I think everyone I know who's had them has had surgery.

Also, I hope y'all appreciate my amazing drawing.

[Deleted]

My guess was going to be bunion as well, unfortunately.

[ddi741]

I've had bunions on both feet and have since had the surgery to remove them.
When I had them though, the pain was more on the bottom of my foot from the tendon being turned and in the wrong place. Although I did have discomfort from the bunion rubbing against the side of my shoes but you say you don't have a deformity so I'm not sure.

I would go see a podiatrist.

[ebeth]

I had something like that a couple of years ago that was not a bunion. in addition to being painful to the touch the toe joint was really stiff. my 'diagnosis' was chondromalacia.

anyway, what made it feel better was two weeks in the boot. like my toe just need a break from impact for a little while so that it could heal up and stop hurting. I also used a seasamoid pad in my running shoes for a couple of weeks after the boot.

[Deleted]

Sept 3, 2013 11:15:17 GMT -5 ebeth said:

I had something like that a couple of years ago that was not a bunion. in addition to being painful to the touch the toe joint was really stiff. my 'diagnosis' was chondromalacia.

anyway, what made it feel better was two weeks in the boot. like my toe just need a break from impact for a little while so that it could heal up and stop hurting. I also used a seasamoid pad in my running shoes for a couple of weeks after the boot.

I love you for this.

My mom just told me that everyone she knows who's had a bunion basically waited until the pain was unbearable and then had surgery.

And I'm all, F that.  Let's get this over with so I can be recovered by the winter, so I can start running again.

But maybe it could be just this.  I guess I'll make an appointment with my podiatrist.  Proof that I'm an old lady - I don't have a PCP, a gyn, or a dentist in D.C., but I already have a podiatrist.

FUCK FUCK FUCK.  I do not want to go.

[katandkevin]

I had pain in the same spot along with my heel and I have plantar fasciitis. I hope that isn't it because it really sucks. The only doctors I see regularly are my chiro and my podiatrist. I feel like an old lady too.

[ebeth]

Sept 3, 2013 11:46:40 GMT -5 @angryharpy said:

Sept 3, 2013 11:15:17 GMT -5 ebeth said:

I had something like that a couple of years ago that was not a bunion. in addition to being painful to the touch the toe joint was really stiff. my 'diagnosis' was chondromalacia.

anyway, what made it feel better was two weeks in the boot. like my toe just need a break from impact for a little while so that it could heal up and stop hurting. I also used a seasamoid pad in my running shoes for a couple of weeks after the boot.

I love you for this.

My mom just told me that everyone she knows who's had a bunion basically waited until the pain was unbearable and then had surgery.

And I'm all, F that.  Let's get this over with so I can be recovered by the winter, so I can start running again.

But maybe it could be just this.  I guess I'll make an appointment with my podiatrist.  Proof that I'm an old lady - I don't have a PCP, a gyn, or a dentist in D.C., but I already have a podiatrist.

FUCK FUCK FUCK.  I do not want to go.

it should be noted that I do not think that I actually have chondromalacia in my big toe because it hasn't bothered me since.

there are lots of foot problems that are not bunions though:  seasamoiditis, turf toe, hallux rigidius, gout, etc. . . so pain is not always bunions.

[Deleted]

Balls. I just super do not want to go to the doctor. But I guess I don't have a lot of choice at this point. SIGH.

[ddi741]

Sept 3, 2013 11:46:40 GMT -5 @angryharpy said:

Sept 3, 2013 11:15:17 GMT -5 ebeth said:

I had something like that a couple of years ago that was not a bunion. in addition to being painful to the touch the toe joint was really stiff. my 'diagnosis' was chondromalacia.

anyway, what made it feel better was two weeks in the boot. like my toe just need a break from impact for a little while so that it could heal up and stop hurting. I also used a seasamoid pad in my running shoes for a couple of weeks after the boot.

I love you for this.

My mom just told me that everyone she knows who's had a bunion basically waited until the pain was unbearable and then had surgery.

And I'm all, F that.  Let's get this over with so I can be recovered by the winter, so I can start running again.

But maybe it could be just this.  I guess I'll make an appointment with my podiatrist.  Proof that I'm an old lady - I don't have a PCP, a gyn, or a dentist in D.C., but I already have a podiatrist.

FUCK FUCK FUCK.  I do not want to go.

I had a podiatrist at 15 and had my first bunion surgery at 19. One of the best decisions I ever made. No more foot pain and I could wear cute shoes again.

[spunkypenguin]

I have pain/sensitivity in the same spot from my bunions, but my foot is pretty badly deformed...I really need to make an appointment with the podiatrist, but I know it's going to need surgery and I'm like you - no time or $$ for that!

[AAM2012]

Sept 3, 2013 12:03:22 GMT -5 ebeth said:

Sept 3, 2013 11:46:40 GMT -5 @angryharpy said:

I love you for this.

My mom just told me that everyone she knows who's had a bunion basically waited until the pain was unbearable and then had surgery.

And I'm all, F that.  Let's get this over with so I can be recovered by the winter, so I can start running again.

But maybe it could be just this.  I guess I'll make an appointment with my podiatrist.  Proof that I'm an old lady - I don't have a PCP, a gyn, or a dentist in D.C., but I already have a podiatrist.

FUCK FUCK FUCK.  I do not want to go.

it should be noted that I do not think that I actually have chondromalacia in my big toe because it hasn't bothered me since.

there are lots of foot problems that are not bunions though:  seasamoiditis, turf toe, hallux rigidius, gout, etc. . . so pain is not always bunions.

Seasamoiditis hurts more on the bottom/ball of your foot. I am also like you in the fact I want something fixed now, not after 6+ weeks of PT. I had my seasamoid bone removed because I was tired of conservative treatment.

Just go to a doctor for a proper diagnosis I hope it's not anything serious.