Sudden onset outside foot pain

by Amanda S.
(Scott, LA, USA)

Several days ago, I shifted my weight to my left foot to stand out of a crouching position and got a sudden burning, stabbing pain to the outside of the foot between my ankle and toes. Ever since, when I shift any significant weight onto that foot, the pain returns and takes a few minutes with no weight on the foot to subside. As long as there is no pressure, there is no pain. It is not tender to the touch, there is no heat, swelling or bruising. I am a diabetic and do have high blood pressure, but both have been steadily improving as I have begun to lose weight over the past month and a half. I have a history of nerve damage from herniated discs that have been corrected, and this feels nothing like the sciatic pain. It seems to be closer under the skin. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Amanda,
My first thought would be perhaps a stress fracture of the base of the fifth metatarsal bone which for most people is seen as a flare on the outside of the foot.
Additionally, there are other possibilities that come to mind such as a subluxed cuboid bone which may have displaced itself as you stood, along with the possibility of an irritation of the tendon that passes along the base of the fifth metatarsal bone.
In any event, I am only guessing. Because you are diabetic and because the foot hurts, I would recommend you see a foot specialist in your area who can make a proper diagnosis and offer some treatment.
The last thing a diabetic needs is trouble with their feet.

Marc Mitnick DPM

DISCLAIMER The information provided here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice by a licensed health care provider. The only way you can get an accurate diagnosis and treatment is by physical examination by a doctor along with a proper medical history and any needed tests. Without a proper evaluation it is impossible for any health care provider to give accurate information. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay treatment because of something you read on this site or any other medical related site.

Tightrope bunion surgery gone wrong

by Cathy
(Cheyenne, WY)

My doctor did HIS version of the tightrope bunion surgery. My right foot on November 5th 2011 and left foot December 28th 2011
He said the usual drilling a hole in both first and second metatarsal to string the tightrope often fractures the smaller second metatarsal bone. So he put and anchor in the first metatarsal and wrapped the wire around the second pulling the bones together and attaching both ends in the first metatarsal anchor.
Well that wire strangled the second metatarsal bone almost snapping it in two, literally choked it. The x-ray looks like an hour glass shaped bone. This all happened in six months. So he removed the wire and now I'm in a cam walker for 8 weeks hoping and praying the bone heals and I guess my bunion surgery is completely undone.
My problem is he did this to the left foot also so he said we'll have to watch it and remove it if it does the same thing.
Have you ever heard of this way of doing the tightrope surgery?
I sure didn't agree to have an experimental surgery.
Cathy

Hi Cathy,
The "classic" tightrope bunionectomy is described as putting the anchor into the second metatarsal bone and under tension, pulling the first metatarsal towards the second. Although I have never heard of the method your surgeon used I will say that there are variations on most "classic" descriptions of various surgical techniques. As techniques are developed, over time, variations are applied to them in an effort to eventually finding the best way to perform a certain procedure.
Although I am totally unfamiliar with any aspect of your history, other than what you have described in this post, I would be very concerned that the same problem will also occur on the second foot (for the same reasons it occurred on the first bunionectomy). Complicating this is the fact that because you are in a cam walker on the right foot, you are probably putting more strain on the left foot which may exacerbate the situation.
The only advice I can give you is to make sure your surgeon keeps a close eye on the left foot and at any indication the wire may be cutting into the second metatarsal, have it removed.

Marc Mitnick DPM

DISCLAIMER The information provided here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice by a licensed health care provider. The only way you can get an accurate diagnosis and treatment is by physical examination by a doctor along with a proper medical history and any needed tests. Without a proper evaluation it is impossible for any health care provider to give accurate information. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay treatment because of something you read on this site or any other medical related site.

Bones breaking in foot

by Melissa
(Ohio)

Hello, I have broken several bones in my foot for about a year now No one seems to be able or figure out why. They say it's my medicine from having Rhemortoid Arthritis. Can this be true and what else can I do to stop breaking bones?

Hi Melissa,
The combination of some of the medications available for rheumatoid arthritis and the nature of the disease itself may make your bones more susceptible to stress fractures, where the bone breaks without any history of trauma.
Additionally you should probably see an endocrinologist who will do blood work to rule out any other conditions that may weaken bone and cause these types of fractures.
The big problem with having multiple foot fractures, even though they may eventually heal, the fractured area may continue to bother you if the healing is not complete. You can end up with what is known as a pseudoarthrosis or "false joint" created by the old fracture line.
So, you now become the person who can tell when it is about to rain because your feet start to ache.
In any event, the best way to try and prevent this problem is to wear a custom fitted orthotic device that will stabilize the foot and keep your foot in its most proper alignment in an effort to reduce excessive stress on the bones of your feet and thus reduce the chance of fracture.
A custom fitted orthotic along with a good pair of laced shoes will go a long way in helping your feet. Your best bet would be to make an appointment with a local podiatrist who should be able to help you.

Marc Mitnick DPM

DISCLAIMER The information provided here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice by a licensed health care provider. The only way you can get an accurate diagnosis and treatment is by physical examination by a doctor along with a proper medical history and any needed tests. Without a proper evaluation it is impossible for any health care provider to give accurate information. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay treatment because of something you read on this site or any other medical related site.

bruising on the bottom of my foot

by Bonnie
(Orlando, FL)

I am a 65 year old female. I walk every morning a couple of miles. Yesterday while walking the bottom of my foot started hurting. I finished my walk, came home and noticed a small quarter size bruise on the bottom of my foot. Today the bruise is 4x the original size and black and blue and I can barely walk. I don't recall stepping on anything and usually I am wearing shoes even in the house. Is there something else that could cause this? or did I step on something and just don't remember? Should I see a doctor?

Hi Bonnie,
Without having the luxury of actually examining you the first thing that would come to mind would be the beginnings of a blister. Just enough friction was created to cause some bleeding under the skin. It may or may not worsen.
I think you would have remembered if you had stepped on something like broken glass and typically stress fractures do not manifest themselves as big black and blue areas on the bottom of the foot.
Sometimes nothing more then excessive perspiration in the feet combined with the friction of walking will cause these problems.
Certainly if the area hurts and now you are having difficulty walking in general then a trip to the doctor would be indicated.

Marc Mitnick DPM
Certainly if the area hurts and now you are having difficulty walking in general then a trip to the doctor would be indicated.

feel like I'm walking on a marble

by Rachael
(Pennsylvania)

right in the middle of my foot, the ball of my foot, it feels like i am walking on a marble. there is no trauma noted and no discloration or bruising. there is noting protruding. when i feel the area, i can feel a hard lump. when i am laying in bed a night, it feels as though my foot is contracting(feels like my toes ar curling under slightly and bottom of foot in a way feels like its starting to cramp, but no cramping occurs) I have had problems in the past with planter fascilitis (i know the spelling isn't right on that) and a podiatrist tried several methods to stop the pain and we ended up having inserts for my shoes made by taking a mold of my foot..... do you have any suggestions?
Thanks
Racahel, PA

Hi Rachael,
The feeling of having a marble on the bottom of your foot could be from a number of sources. The most common conditions might include a skin cyst such as a wart or porokeratosis which if they are right under the ball of the foot would give you that kind of sensation.
Also to be considered would be a plantar fibromatosis (read my section on that) which in simple terms is a herniation of the plantar fascial ligament and is actually a lump that you can feel on the bottom of your foot. Along those lines there may also be some sort of soft tissue growth on the bottom of your foot which will also feel like a marble.
Additionally, if the bottom of your foot does not have too much fat and thus lack of padding, the pressure on your metatarsal heads may feel like a marble.
Lastly, inflammation of the bottom of your foot, from whatever cause, may also give the sensation of having a marble on the bottom of your foot.
As you can see, the source could be from any number of conditions. I think your best bet would be to see a foot specialist who should be able to give you a definitive diagnosis.
Marc Mitnick DPM

DISCLAIMER The information provided here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice by a licensed health care provider. The only way you can get an accurate diagnosis and treatment is by physical examination by a doctor along with a proper medical history and any needed tests. Without a proper evaluation it is impossible for any health care provider to give accurate information. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay treatment because of something you read on this site or any other medical related site.

ankle problems

by shauna
(grand forks nd)

i sprained my right ankle about 5 years ago and to this day my right ankle swells and bruises with sharpe shooting pains when im on my feet alot.which i work on hard concrete floors all day and walk alot.it goes away when i am able to be off my feet but i work 5 days a week and sometimes i am unable to walk because of the pain

Hi Shauna,
I would imagine that the injury you sustained five years ago resulted in a tear of one of your ankle ligaments or even worse, a small fracture of one of the ankle bones. You do not mention whether or not you had any medical treatment including an xray.
If there were either trauma to the ligaments or possibly a broken bone and they were not adequately identified and treated at the time of injury then you are probably living with the residual effects of that trauma.
Being on your feet for long hours particularly on a concrete floor can aggravate the ankle joint and thus causes pain.
The first thing you should consider would be to see a foot specialist who could make a more accurate diagnosis and then offer suggestions on how to live with the problem.
Short of that, you could try an ace bandage or other ankle stabilizing device that would place your ankle in its best alignment and would also help reduce the swelling.
Since you are walking on a concrete floor all day, you might also consider trying a very cushioned arch support which would cut down on some of the sheer shock that is occurring as your foot continually hits the floor all day and that may help as well.
I do not know how old you are or anything else about your medical history, so living with this problem may be your only answer, but being examined by a foot specialist would be a good idea.

Marc Mitnick DPM
DISCLAIMER:

Top of right foot below 2nd and 3rd toes, have swelling, sharp pain that shoot up leg

by Linda
(USA)

A few years ago I jammed these toes. Now I am having swelling, tender to touch, sharp pain that shoots up the leg. I have elevated it to no avial, it hurts to walk, sharp pains happens even while sleeping and the swelling is getting worse. What could be wrong.

Hi Linda,
Any time there is trauma there is the concern that either a bone was broken or at the very least some type of soft tissue damage occurred. The obvious problem is that the trauma happened a few years ago and thus treatment options may be limited.
I am not clear if you have had problems ever since or your symptoms have just begun and it is a "coincidence" between the trauma and the area of pain.
In any event the affected area should be evaluated by a foot specialist. If you have tried all the tools available to most of us such as anti-inflammatory medication, heat, rest, topical medicine, etc. then your only choice at this point is professional care.
As I mentioned earlier because of the time that has lapsed, depending on the problem, simpler treatment options may not be available to you. As an example, if you broke a bone during the trauma and it did not adequately heal because it was never treated, then there may be issues resolving the problem.
Rather than you and I guessing as to what is going on, why not see a doctor and get an accurate diagnosis.

Marc Mitnick DPM
DISCLAIMER:

Pain & swelling at base of 2nd toe

by Tracy

Hi:

I banged my 2nd toe about 2 1/2 weeks ago. Didn't feel like a broken toe and didn't bruise or anything. It was a little sore the next day as we did a lot of walking - 3+ miles.

Didn't really think anything of it - didn't hurt in shoes or walking - until last week when my toes felt cramped and sore - the next day it was uncomfortable and I realized that is pretty swollen and particularly swollen at the base and around the sides at the bottom. It is tender to the touch on the top of the toe at the bottom right above where it connects to the foot. It does not hurt on the bottom of my foot at all. I can bend it without discomfort. Hurts when it is under the sheets - like the pressure pushing down on the toe from the top - similar to the cramped feeling while wearing shoes the last few days.

My second toe is slightly longer that the big toe and I also had bunion surgery on the same foot approx two years ago.

What do you think I did and do I need to see my foot doc?

Thanks,
Tracy

Hi Tracy,
Unfortunately, the only way you are going to know whether the toe is broken or not is from an xray. It is impossible to tell just by looking at the toe.
It is always better to diagnose a broken bone sooner than later because the earlier treatment is started the better the prospects for normal healing.
If...the toe is broken it then becomes an issue of how bad a break you sustained. A simple "crack" in the bone is usually treated by just splinting the second toe to the adjacent toe; a more severe fracture may require more aggressive treatment.
I think the best advice I can give you is to go see your foot doctor and let he or she take an xray to accurately diagnose your pain and offer some treatment.

Marc Mitnick DPM
DISCLAIMER:

big toe pain at night

by judy
(usa)

right big toe pain only at night like someone stepping on it.when I walk a few steps at night the pain goes away

Hi Judy,
One of the most common complaints I get from patients is that their big toe hurts when it is under the covers. The most common cause for this is due to an ingrown nail. The pressure of the blankets on the toe cause the nail to press further into the flesh, thus causing more pain.
I know nothing about your medical history, overall health, age, etc. but I do think it is important to point out that sometimes a person with poor circulation in the toe will also have the same complaint of pain in the toe at night.
Because of this, I would suggest you see a foot specialist who should be able to determine the exact cause of your pain and offer treatment. If the pain is from an ingrown nail, the relief should be instantaneous.

Marc Mitnick DPM
DISCLAIMER:

mid sole pain

by carol

My husband is suffering from mid sole pain. Its painful after rest and is very much painful on touch. And he has small corns in his feet. Kindly help. Thank you.

Hi Carol,

The most common cause of mid sole pain would be from plantar fasciitis although that is not the only cause.
Short of seeing a doctor, your husband could try an orthotic (arch support). Depending on your husband's weight, most of the orthotics sold in drug stores and supermarkets are a waste of money. But if he can find one that actually supports his arch and he can feel the lift underneath, then he may derive some comfort.
In my practice, orthotics are the cornerstone of treatment when treating arch pain.
A point to remember is that when wearing an orthotic, it must be worn from first thing in the morning until bed time, otherwise the effective of the orthotic is lost if he walks around the house barefoot (after work).
If this does not alleviate the pain, then he will be forced to see a foot specialist. There are varying degrees of plantarfasciitis and I would not want to see the problem worsen to the point where he could not walk.

Marc Mitnick DPM
DISCLAIMER:

heat from the bottom of foot occasionally just for 2 seconds.

by R
(canada)

I am feeling occasional episodes of heat coming from the bottom of my right foot just fro 2 sec and then go away. it started around 2 weeks ago and happned 4-5 times in 2 weeks. ther is no pain. i do not stand on my feet too much. the sensation is uncomfertable and i am worried if i have any major disease. please help.

Hi,
Without having the luxury of examining you I cannot give you a reason as to why your foot is reacting the way it is. But I will tell you your symptoms are suggestive of either a circulatory or nerve involvement disorder of some sort.
In either case this is not a normal finding and should be investigated by a foot specialist who in turn may refer you to a neurologist or vascular specialist if he or she finds there is a problem.

Marc Mitnick DPM
DISCLAIMER:

irritation and sensitivity on outside of left foot

For over 3 yrs. now I have had irritation and sensitivity on the outside of my left foot. Not there all the time though. I had a bunion removed on that foot about
4 years ago. I wear orthodics in my tennis shoe because my feet roll inward. I've was told I have a flat arch on the inside of my feet. I have also experienced butt and hip pain for the same amount of time. I am currently seeing a PT (about 7 weeks now). The butt and hip pain are much better, but the foot pain has not changed. I am an exerciser. I walk and also go to JAZZERCISE classes about 3 or 4 times a week. I am a female, 63 years old. weigh about 126 lbs. What do you think?

Linda

Hi Linda,
There are a number of conditions that could cause pain on the outside of your foot, but in reading your post, the first thing that came to my mind was the orthotics and the fact that you exercise.
Sometimes if an orthotic raises the arch too much it can cause a jamming effect on the outside of the foot where it hits the shoe/sneaker. That fact that you exercise could be exacerbating the situation.
I would recommend you see a foot specialist (if you haven't already) and let he or see examine your orthotic along with your athletic shoe and see if there is not some connection between them and your pain. In many cases either going to a wider shoe or lowering the arch a bit may be all that is needed to solve the problem.

Marc Mitnick DPM

DISCLAIMER The information provided here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice by a licensed health care provider. The only way you can get an accurate diagnosis and treatment is by physical examination by a doctor along with a proper medical history and any needed tests. Without a proper evaluation it is impossible for any health care provider to give accurate information. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay treatment because of something you read on this site or any other medical related site.

Fractured 2nd metatarsal

I was diagnosed with this after 9wks ,I have had a lot of swelling which the consultant said was the fracture healing,he said I had to walk as normal and wear trainers which I have been doing ,but after any length of walking I get a burning sensation and now I am getting the only way to describe is a spasm of some sort the swelling has gone down and is only in a small area which i assume is where the fracture is .i am really fed up and don't no what to do next , I am seeing consultant next wk should I seek a second opinion as it is now 11wks

Hi,
I do not know how bad the fracture is, but whenever there is a question about healing you want as much immobilization as possible which you will not get wearing trainers.
This is complicated by the fact that you probably had the fracture for nine weeks prior to diagnosis. In most cases if you had a small fracture under normal circumstances it would have healed in about six to eight weeks, so the fact that it did not heal in that time is cause for concern.
I agree with your line of thinking; go get a second opinion. The problem with fractures that do not heal within a reasonable period of time is that you run the risk of ending up with a non-union which means the fracture site will not close and you can end up with chronic pain which will require other means of treatment.

Marc Mitnick DPM

pain on top of foot with swelling on outside of ankle

by Jerry
(St Petersburg, Russia)

started with pain and swelling on outside of ankle. No known trauma. X-rays were negative. Pain is now severe on top and in middle of foot. Swelling remains. Worse when walk alot. Doing some RICE treatment but has persisted a long time - few months.

Hi Jerry,
Any pain that continues for a few months needs to be addressed more vigorously than just RICE. Keep in mind many types of foot pain will continue longer than similar pain elsewhere by virtue of the fact that every time you walk on the foot you are re-aggravating the problem.
Having said that, pain lasting a few months should be further investigated.
I do not know who initially reviewed your foot xrays but I would suggest they be looked at by a foot specialist.
If that were the case then your next step would be to consider an MRI as that will examine the soft tissue area that an xray cannot, plus an MRI may pick up bone issues that the xray misses.

Marc Mitnick DPM
DISCLAIMER:

pain on the top of my left foot

i walk around for four hours and some days my foot. hurt i was wondering if it was t he shoes. I wear those duck like plastic shoes. you slide your foot in with the holes on the tops :)

Hi,

In general, if the shoes your are wearing do not do a very good job of supporting your arch, there is the possibility of developing pain on the top of your foot. This is usually due to a condition known as midtarsal fault.
A simple test would be the obvious: try wearing a more supportive shoe like a sneaker and do the same amount of walking that you usually do and see if you are experiencing the same pain. If so then stop wearing the plastic shoes. If not then you may want to consider a visit to a foot specialist in an effort to determine what is actually causing your pain.

Marc Mitnick DPM
DISCLAIMER:

Pain and swelling of third toe

by Sam
(Glasgow)

My third toe became slightly swollen and red/purple in colour and over a period of 2 weeks became more swollen and hot. It looks almost as if the ring of swelling is originating from the joint where the toe meets the foot and is and inch thick. It really does look like i have an inch thick ring round the toe under the skin. It has now become quite painful especially when walking. This came out of the blue and i don't remember injuring it.

Hi Sam,
Although I know nothing of your medical history, my first thought would be inflammation of the joint of the toe, quite possibly a gout attack.
Another consideration would be a circulatory problem but generally more than one toe is affected.
Since this situation is an abnormal finding, I would suggest you have a doctor look at it to determine the source of discoloration and swelling.
Marc Mitnick DPM

30 hrs after PNA toe still numb

My 14 yr old daughter had partial nail avulsion. She did have infection from her ingrown. Dr prescribed antibiotics, infection clear and Dr removed nail 530p Tuesday. A few hours ago, midnight actually my daughter was wrestless and worried because her toe is still numb. I signed waver of possible complications. Permanent numbness being one. In cases from what I described about hers... Is it possible injections still havent worn off after 30hrs or in most related cases is it usually permanent? Thank you for your help.

Hi,
The medication used to numb the toe should have worn off after a few hours; the fact that the toe is still numb some 30 hours later is worrisome to me as that is not a normal finding.
Your best bet would be to take your daughter back to the doctor so he or she can physically examine the toe.
The two things that come to mind to me would be either the needle actually hit one of the nerves and is causing numbness (which happens with a fair degree of frequency), or, there might be some type of circulatory embarrassment to the toe and that could be causing the numbness. That is why I am suggesting having the doctor examine the toe, to rule out the latter.
I am making the assumption that the dressing the doctor applied is still not on, some 30 hours later. Sometimes a dressing that is too tight will also cause the toe to go numb.
In any event bring this problem to the attention of your doctor.

Marc Mitnick DPM

DISCLAIMER The information provided here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice by a licensed health care provider. The only way you can get an accurate diagnosis and treatment is by physical examination by a doctor along with a proper medical history and any needed tests. Without a proper evaluation it is impossible for any health care provider to give accurate information. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay treatment because of something you read on this site or any other medical related site.

ankle fusion

I would like to know if numbness is permanent? I am in a boot now and the numbness persists. the dr prescribed me neurotin, isnt really working. i do not see the doctor again till june 15th. i am concerned because prior to surgery, i had pain, but i dont want to trade one for another. what measures can be taken to correct this numbness, because it is not tolerable and i'm only 32 years old. are there any questions or tests i should b asking my surgeon.i am not an expert in this area the numbness runs from the right side incision to the tip of my last two toes. the sharp pulses i feel run vertically down the incision sight? I guess th bottom line is; is this going to go away, do i need to be cut again? Maybe you can enlighten me a little more about this matter. i really appreciate the help.

thanks, frank

Hi Frank,
Sometimes during surgery, any surgery, superficial nerves are either cut or they get caught (entrapped) in the closing process when everything is being sutured back together. Obviously, I have no idea what happened in your case.
The good news is that nerve tissue is one of the few body tissues that actually regenerates, but you need to know what is causing your numbness.
The only way that is going to be identified is to have a discussion with your surgeon. Tell he or she about your concerns. You may need more aggressive treatment than Neurontin as that drug addresses the symptoms but does not address the cause.
If your surgeon does not give you any satisfaction you may have to get a second opinion.

Marc Mitnick DPM
DISCLAIMER:

Pain in ball of foot

by Miriam
(New Zealand)

My left foot got uncomfortable, then painful during Friday. I sat down rather than standing when I could, it got worse through the evening. It was an achy pain when standing and an uncomfortable swollen feeling when sitting. I couldn't bend the foot, the toe joints hurt too much.
Next day, Saturday, it remained painful and by the evening it was hard to get to sleep that night as the foot was so sore, even with no weight on it. Friday night and Saturday I was at a singing workshop, so did quite a bit of standing, keeping my weight off the foot and sitting down when I could.
Sunday morning I woke up and the foot did not hurt and was not swollen. I had another day at the singing workshop, and stood without discomfort all day. Today is Monday, and the foot continues to be fine, no pain.
So a sudden swelling, with pain, that moved from pain when weight was on it to pain even when no weight was on it. Then magically ok again.
What might it be?

Hi Miriam,
I always tell my patients that any pain that goes away on its own, is a good pain.
More than likely you strained something and although it hurt for a few days, it ran its course and is gone.
If the pain should return you might want to see a foot specialist to find the cause.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Right foot pain below the ankle

by Travis
(Texas)

When the pain comes it is very strong and burns. It's like someone is sitting next to my foot with a lighter. It isn't constant. If I turn my foot a certain way that's when it happens. Nervous about a torn tendon. It starts about middle of the foot and comes back about 2 inches.

Hi Travis,
A torn tendon or ligament would certainly be a consideration as to the pain you are experiencing. Depending where the pain is actually occurring there is also the possibility of a nerve entrapment which could also cause burning.
Because you are in pain and because the issue of either a partially torn tendon or ruptured ligament are the source of your pain, you would be very wise to see a foot specialist as soon as possible, one to get a precise diagnosis and two to get proper treatment so that the condition does not worsen.

Marc Mitnick DPM

DISCLAIMER

Pain while walking and swelling

by Sudip
(Florida)

While walking around, I tend to experience a dull pain on the inside of my foot. There has also been swelling along that area of my foot (the inside of the foot). I've done some research, and it seems to me that I have posterior tibial tendinitis, but I would like to know your opinion. Also, in the case that it is tendinitis, what sort of treatment would you recommend, and on average, how long does this condition take to heal?

Hi Sudip,
A posterior tibialis tendinitis is certainly a possibility. However, many people have an accessory bone known as a os tibiale naviculare which may be part of the problem, so that has to be ruled out. Read my section on accessory navicular
In most cases of this condition, with or without the accessory bone, if there is no history of trauma, then the problem is usually due to a foot that flattens out too much thus putting tremendous pressure on the tibialis posterior muscle where it inserts into the bone.
Use of an arch support on a constant basis can be very helpful in eventually relieving the problem. I do not know your age, activity level or your weight so I cannot answer how long it will take to heal.
You can try an arch support for a couple of weeks and if you notice you are getting better then you can continue with it, but, if the arch support does not help at all, you should see a foot specialist who will be able to make a more accurate diagnosis and offer some definitive treatment.

Marc Mitnick DPM
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