Burning pain on outside edge/top of foot

[Hiker]

I've been experiencing some burning pain on the top of the outside edge of my right foot, about halfway between the ends of my foot. I've been searching online and was thinking about Morton's Neuroma as a possible cause, but my pain isn't really near my toes or the ball of my foot. I've been to a podiatrist, who thought the nerve was inflamed and taped up my foot and put me on anti-inflammatories. The anti-inflammatories seemed to work well enough (pain was probably 80% gone), but when I went off of them the burning pain returned. Sometimes it hurts when I walk and sometimes it hurts when I'm doing nothing at all. I can't recreate the pain by pressing on the area and it doesn't appear to be swollen at all.

My real concern is that I'm set to begin a 2100+ mile thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in a couple of months and I'd like to solve the mystery before I leave. I don't want to make the problem worse and/or let it stop me from hiking.

A little about my feet: I've been told that I have high arches. The outer edges of my shoes always wear faster than the inside edge because I guess I tend to walk with more pressure on the outer edges of my shoes.

Does anyone have any ideas on what could be causing this or advice on remedies? I could see another podiatrist if necessary (didn't like mine too much), but time and money are short and I thought I'd see if you had any advice before going that route.

Thanks!

[No small feat]

Hey! I just HAD to respond to let you know I am EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME foot pain!!! Outside edge and it feels like the pain radiates upwards towards the top. I have also been told I have high arches and high insteps. I'm a VERY active 41 year old female and I suspect I might have injured my foot initially playing tennis...with the lateral movement of the game having taken it's toll on me. I've seen NUMEROUS podiatrists in the metro-Atlanta area who have all treated my "situation" with cortisone (sp?) injections and anti-inflammatory medications. Like you, the pain will ALMOST vanish, but is quick to return, and then feels worse. Initially, it would only hurt SOMETIMES when I walked, and SOMETIMES when I was completely idle...but as time passes, I've noticed it worsening. Now my pain is almost chronic (though I tend to ignore it). Initially I wasn't able to "re-create" the pain by pressing on the affected area, but now, again as time passes and it's worsened, I AM able to "re-create" the pain by pressing on it! However, there is no swelling nor any discoloration.

This is just the most bizarre thing! I can't seem to get accurately diagnosed, nor can I alleviate the pain.

I just wanted to respond to let you know that you are NOT the only one suffering with this ambiguous foot condition.

I don't know if you've learned anything else about this or not, but if so, I'd love to for you to share with me!

[Pracy]

My husband has a similar burning sensation but his is top inner thigh. Apart from the location the pain and burning sound similar. Unfortunatly after trying several pain medications he just seems to get used to them.
We were told by one specialist that it could be a phantom pain that's basically in the mind, something to do with nerve triggers and pathways. But the pain seems much too real for that.
We have been through several doctors and specialists including opperations with no avail. Any extra light you might be able to shead would be greatly appreciated.

Lana

[Hiker]

Thanks for the replies. I've noticed that the pain lessens significantly when the outside edge of my foot has the support it needs. Since I walk on the outside edges of my feet, the outer edges of my shoes wear down and the problem worsens as more and more support wears away. Wearing shoes with full (not worn down yet) soles and using insoles with the proper support seems to help. SuperFeet Hiker insoles seem to work well, but I could still use more outer edge support.

Wish I had a more useful update for you, but that's my current situation. I'm hoping it doesn't cause me problems for the 2000 mile hike I have planned this summer!

Good luck!

-Aaron

[mabeebabee99]

I've been having a similar pain in one of my feet for over a year now except that mine starts on the bottom outer edge and seems to radiate to the bottom ball of my foot. The more I'm on my foot, it seems to radiate from the outer edge across the middle top of my foot as well. The outer edge seems to be the base of the pain though. The foot doctor that I talked to outside of the office told me that it sounded to him like a nerve but I haven't been in to have it checked out yet because my insurance stopped paying for specialists. I hope the added support continues to help and I think I will try that too. Thanks!

[shamshal]

I've been experiencing some burning pain on the top of the outside edge of my right foot, about halfway between the ends of my foot. I've been searching online and was thinking about Morton's Neuroma as a possible cause, but my pain isn't really near my toes or the ball of my foot. I've been to a podiatrist, who thought the nerve was inflamed and taped up my foot and put me on anti-inflammatories. The anti-inflammatories seemed to work well enough (pain was probably 80% gone), but when I went off of them the burning pain returned. Sometimes it hurts when I walk and sometimes it hurts when I'm doing nothing at all. I can't recreate the pain by pressing on the area and it doesn't appear to be swollen at all.

My real concern is that I'm set to begin a 2100+ mile thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in a couple of months and I'd like to solve the mystery before I leave. I don't want to make the problem worse and/or let it stop me from hiking.

A little about my feet: I've been told that I have high arches. The outer edges of my shoes always wear faster than the inside edge because I guess I tend to walk with more pressure on the outer edges of my shoes.

Does anyone have any ideas on what could be causing this or advice on remedies? I could see another podiatrist if necessary (didn't like mine too much), but time and money are short and I thought I'd see if you had any advice before going that route.

Thanks!

I came across your information while looking for information for what sounds like the exact same problem. My pain is from the outer edge of my foot (actually, both of them) and goes up across the top. I have been to a couple of doctors who have acted like I am imagining the whole thing. They are stiff in the morning but hurt all day and night whether I am on them or even just sleeping. Don't know what to do about it but I hope someone comes up with a wonderful cure. I know I would appreciate it greatly. Thanks

[nichodg]

Hey! I just HAD to respond to let you know I am EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME foot pain!!! Outside edge and it feels like the pain radiates upwards towards the top. I have also been told I have high arches and high insteps. I'm a VERY active 41 year old female and I suspect I might have injured my foot initially playing tennis...with the lateral movement of the game having taken it's toll on me. I've seen NUMEROUS podiatrists in the metro-Atlanta area who have all treated my "situation" with cortisone (sp?) injections and anti-inflammatory medications. Like you, the pain will ALMOST vanish, but is quick to return, and then feels worse. Initially, it would only hurt SOMETIMES when I walked, and SOMETIMES when I was completely idle...but as time passes, I've noticed it worsening. Now my pain is almost chronic (though I tend to ignore it). Initially I wasn't able to "re-create" the pain by pressing on the affected area, but now, again as time passes and it's worsened, I AM able to "re-create" the pain by pressing on it! However, there is no swelling nor any discoloration.

This is just the most bizarre thing! I can't seem to get accurately diagnosed, nor can I alleviate the pain.

I just wanted to respond to let you know that you are NOT the only one suffering with this ambiguous foot condition.

I don't know if you've learned anything else about this or not, but if so, I'd love to for you to share with me!

I have been having pain exactly like you described. Have you been able to figure it out yet?

[Unregistered]

have burning sensation down left side of left foot. The only thing that has worked for me is a chiropactor. he works on my ankle and hips and it goes away for months. hope this helps

I've been experiencing some burning pain on the top of the outside edge of my right foot, about halfway between the ends of my foot. I've been searching online and was thinking about Morton's Neuroma as a possible cause, but my pain isn't really near my toes or the ball of my foot. I've been to a podiatrist, who thought the nerve was inflamed and taped up my foot and put me on anti-inflammatories. The anti-inflammatories seemed to work well enough (pain was probably 80% gone), but when I went off of them the burning pain returned. Sometimes it hurts when I walk and sometimes it hurts when I'm doing nothing at all. I can't recreate the pain by pressing on the area and it doesn't appear to be swollen at all.

My real concern is that I'm set to begin a 2100+ mile thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in a couple of months and I'd like to solve the mystery before I leave. I don't want to make the problem worse and/or let it stop me from hiking.

A little about my feet: I've been told that I have high arches. The outer edges of my shoes always wear faster than the inside edge because I guess I tend to walk with more pressure on the outer edges of my shoes.

Does anyone have any ideas on what could be causing this or advice on remedies? I could see another podiatrist if necessary (didn't like mine too much), but time and money are short and I thought I'd see if you had any advice before going that route.

Thanks!

[Unregistered]

Hi there, i'm a physical therapist, sounds to me like Sinus Tarsi Syndrome. Basically occurs from a foot that is consistently pronated or supinated. The sinus tarsi is either compressed or stretched producing an irritation that can travel down the lateral side of the foot as you mentioned. Please google sinus tarsi syndrome to learn more.
Larry

[Unregistered]

Hey! I just HAD to respond to let you know I am EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME foot pain!!! Outside edge and it feels like the pain radiates upwards towards the top. I have also been told I have high arches and high insteps. I'm a VERY active 41 year old female and I suspect I might have injured my foot initially playing tennis...with the lateral movement of the game having taken it's toll on me. I've seen NUMEROUS podiatrists in the metro-Atlanta area who have all treated my "situation" with cortisone (sp?) injections and anti-inflammatory medications. Like you, the pain will ALMOST vanish, but is quick to return, and then feels worse. Initially, it would only hurt SOMETIMES when I walked, and SOMETIMES when I was completely idle...but as time passes, I've noticed it worsening. Now my pain is almost chronic (though I tend to ignore it). Initially I wasn't able to "re-create" the pain by pressing on the affected area, but now, again as time passes and it's worsened, I AM able to "re-create" the pain by pressing on it! However, there is no swelling nor any discoloration.

This is just the most bizarre thing! I can't seem to get accurately diagnosed, nor can I alleviate the pain.

I just wanted to respond to let you know that you are NOT the only one suffering with this ambiguous foot condition.

I don't know if you've learned anything else about this or not, but if so, I'd love to for you to share with me!

I have the exact same thing, have you found out anything yet? My Dr. ordered an x-ray, and of course nothing was wrong, yet the pain is getting worse. I hope that someone can help me because it is starting to affect my daily living.