Metatarsalgia

[podo]

For the past year or so I have been suffering from sore feet (mainly the ball of the foot) which the Podiatrist calls Metatarsalgia. Also have fallen arches which doesn't help. Wearing good quality trainers with arch support & soft insoles helps. The Podiatrist after ultrasound scanning, says the "padding" on my foot has become thin. Does anyone know if this is caused by long term Pred use (I've been on it on & off for 15 years) or is it just likely to be "old age". Any suggestions for dietary improvements or exercise welcome.

[Chrob]

I’ve had this problem for 14 or more years , I wear insoles from the hospital, they have a raised bit in the middle it lifts the metatarsals apart and

flat shoes only , Trainers in winter ,Birkenstocks help in summer as they lift the toes . Been on pred 14 months . Carol

[podo in reply to Chrob]

thanks for the tip Carol, I'd not heard of Birkenstocks.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to podo]

Bit pricey, but if they help, worth it.

Might be idea to get podiatrist to refer you to orthotics dept at local hospital. If necessary they will make you inserts for shoes, they take moulds of your feet and a couple of weeks later you have the finished article. Better than “off the shelf” and free to boot!

[CT-5012 in reply to podo]

SIL lives in his in the summer,sketchers in the winter but not in the snow! 😁

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I've heard several people complain of something similar. I had sore soles of my feet with PMR - definitely not due to pred, wasn't on it. Like Chrob I haven't worn anything but flat shoes for years.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

Don’t “see” podo in high heels!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

One never knows!

When my MIL moved to live in her granny flat with us, she bought new shoes to come. A good 3in quite slender heel - to live in a country village and she was nearly 80! Then had the cheek to complain she was wobbly walking to the shop.

I took her shoe shopping, to a shop in Perth that I knew had the "right" sort of shoe but dressy. The first pair were a revelation to her - comfort didn't seem a concept before. And then insisted on another 10 pairs being hauled out as she couldn't just buy the first pair she tried. Except she did. Fixed smiles were present on both my and the assistant's faces.

[SheffieldJane in reply to PMRpro]

Our mothers had awful feet. They didn’t feel dressed without their stilettos. I have Gabor suede ankle boots in the winter and Gabor toe loop sandles in the summer - blissful and stylish too. Lots of colours. I have chronic Psoriasis on my feet and now bad heel pain, finding shoes that didn’t rub was a nightmare. I’ve got cupboards full of smart failed shoes.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SheffieldJane]

I just gave up - saves a fortune!!!!

[podo in reply to DorsetLady]

Might just try that! Would cause a bit of gossip locally.

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Podo, I was diagnosed with a metatarsal problem many years ago. Had special leather half insoles made to measure which did help initially. I feel sure PMR and GCA caused further aggravation, and walking for more than half an hour became a no-no whatever shoes I wore, including Hotter. However, since finding Skechers shoes with memory foam, I have been managing to walk painlessly for ages, literally a feeling of walking on air! The largest variety can be found in the sports shops.

[podo]

Many thanks for all the useful suggestions (NOT the high heels!). Have started using walking poles now for my daily dog walk. These are very helpful over the rough ground and avoid the sudden trips etc especially during snow/mud - no shortage of that this year.

[Rose54]

Hi

For Sketchers try Pavers they have a large selection and are about the cheapest i have found

[Marie1479]

I was a flight attendant back in the day and wore high heels for long periods of time in flight. I developed Morton's Neuroma a few years after flying. After having the Neuroma surgery on my foot I developed Metatarsalgia. I also have very high arches (Barbie feet) and if I don't wear the right shoes I suffer. It seems to have worsened since PMR but when I was on high doses of steroids felt better! I use orthotics in all of my shoes and rarely wear heels. I also have Metatarsal gel pads for the shoes my orthotics don't fit in. I have a heated foot massage machine at home that I bought on Amazon. I love it!