foot & lower leg - Is this nerve pain?
 

Hello, I have had this pain for going on 2 years now, and it is driving me nuts (I'm 25 y/o). I have seen 2 different podiatrists for an MRI, x-ray, and nerve test and they could not find anything wrong with me. Here's my best shot at explaining the pain - when ever I'm sitting I get this burning/stinging feeling that starts in my left foot and travels through my ankle and up my lower leg. The foot pain is spread out and I can't really pin point it. I have found some relief by taking my shoes off while sitting, but the pain is still there barefoot just less intense. I have only felt this pain in the left foot/leg. I am pretty active (run/bike) and stretch regularly. The weirdest part about this is that I feel zero pain while walking and running, and its the minute I sit down that the pain kicks in (with shoes on it's much worse). I don't really have any back pain (other than the usual soreness after sitting for 10-12 hours straight at work).

Does this sound like pain from nerve damage? Any ideas?
Thank you! - Chris

Hi Chris, welcome.

Of course, we're not doctors here, and it could be a lot of different things, but from your description it sounds to me like something about your shoes is pressing/constricting something (could be nerve or circulatory), and when you take them off or the pressure is relieved, the pain signal kicks in.

Did either of the poddies suggest anything like this, or orthodics or different shoes?

Doc

A number of us, myself included, experience less pain when walking. That alone doesn't mean it is nerve pain, as Dr. Smith said. I have bone pain the length of my legs, and severe nerve and muscle pain, but am most comfortable walking.

Hello and thanks so much for the responses. I should probably give a little background: this all started after I bought a pair of shoes that were too narrow on my left foot, but that was about 2 years ago. I wore the narrow shoes for a couple weeks thinking they would stretch out. I first noticed this pain while wearing these shoes sitting at my desk. Since then I have only bought wide shoes, but the pain is still there.

I just find it so weird that I can complete a triathlon and run a 12k pain free, but when I go to sit down the pain in my foot is instant. I've been taking super B complex vitamins which was recommended by a podiatrist, but I haven't seen any improvements. I have also stopped running but pain is the same and visually my foot looks fine (no swelling or color change). Does this sound like nerve damage? The nerve test I got showed I was fine but the dr said it doesn't completed rule out nerves as the issue.

It has gotten to the point where I instantly slip my shoes off when I sit down. And I would love to wear shoes with laces again! :)

Thanks again for any insight / advice. - Chris

Thanks, but I'm not sure that changes anything. :Dunno:
Sounds like I may not have been too far off. :Ponder:

It can be difficult to differentiate between nerve & circulatory damage, and ultimately, pain is transmitted to the brain via nerves regardless of the underlying cause.

Where on your foot does the pain begin (along top/instep, outside/small toe, sole, other, etc.), and what path up the leg does it take?

Is there anything that helps relieve it (rubbing/massage, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, heat/cold/ice, elevating, walking off, soaking, other...)?

Doc

Well, the pain starts at the front of my foot in the smaller toes then works its way back along the outer edge / bottom of my foot. In my lower leg I can feel it all over, sometimes its on the outer side (between ankle bone and calf), sometimes along the front by the shin bone, and sometimes there is a deep ache in my calf muscle. Basically, my entire left leg from the knee down just doesn't feel "normal" like my right leg/foot.

Massaging, heat/ice, soaking, and walking/running all feel good, but I have not seen any relief from the pain that comes back when i sit down. I have gotten a number of foot reflexology massages, which are great and I don't feel any pain from them, but the second I slip my shoes on and sit down the pain is back. Ibuprofen hasn't helped but I have not tried acetaminophen. I also tried a gold bond foot cream for pain, but no relief.

I'm thinking it has something to do with my back since sitting down seems to be the trigger, but my back feels fine. Also, I haven't been able to "recreate" the pain for any of the doctors I have seen (e.g., squeezing my foot with shoes off).

Thanks again for the responses, the feedback is really appreciated. - Chris

I have neuropathy and have a lot of trouble with laced shoes. I actually, do a lot better in the summer because I don't have to wear closed shoes.

When I first had symptoms of neuropathy it started in my feet and calves.

Also, I believe that when I am busy I don't think as much about the pain. When I sit down I immediately know it is there. I don't know if this is what you may be going through.

My guess is you have already seen a neurologist. It does sound like you may have done some nerve damage to those toes with those shoes. However, since you are so active it may have happened running. Most of us never know what caused it. If you don't get relief and the neurologist you are seeing doesn't help, see a different one.

I actually haven't seen a neurologist yet but that is next on my list to try. I have been thinking this has something to do with blood flow and/or muscles but since there is no swelling or pain while moving I think I can almost rule that out.

Hopefully I can see a neurologist in the next couple weeks. Thanks again.

Hi, sounds strange to me cause I have tarsal tunnel in both ankles (which affects the tibia n. on inside) and peroneal nerve compression on lt ankle which affects the outside lower leg & ankle, causes numbness & tingling up n down leg, pain on outside of ankle, burning on top foot and pain n burning on outside knee. But standing &walking make pain & numbness worse!
U. Probably should see a neurologist

I'm on vacation so this will be brief.

Since you exercise I'd suggest you try the new Morton's
Epsom lotion on those areas bothering you the most.
You can apply a quarter's sized dollop on the tops of
your feet and up the ankles some. Apply only to intact
skin once or twice a day .. If your problem is circulatory
or local depletion this will help within a week or so.

Morton's is available a WalMart for $5.98 or on Amazon for
slightly more. It is extremely helpful and many of us here
Get relief from it. It is rather miraculous and simple.
Also it has no fragrances added.