Nerve pain foot

Pyeby · 2023-05-13T16:32:36+00:00

I've been having electric shock type pains on outside of right foot for over 2 years now, previously had bad sprain around 6 years ago. I've been to podiatrist who prescribed custom orthotics, numerous private physio and have been on amitriptyline to no avail. Today I had nerve conduction studies and EMG. Both were normal. Not sure where to go next with this.. anyone had similar?

deepspace9 · 24/05/2023 15:35

Hi there. Just came across this. Where is the pain? Are you having any swelling in the foot?

CherryBlossomAutumn · 24/05/2023 15:39

Get your B12 and Vitamin D levels checked with a GP blood test. Although as it’s localised pain it might not be this, but it might help to check that your levels aren’t too low as both help to repair nerve pain. I had electric shock type pains more in one leg for a while, it was always after walking.

I got better shoes, was sure to try and stop walking if the pain came on, made sure I drank enough water and avoided high impact exercise. I also stretched more. But my pain didn’t last that long, and came and went. Is yours constant?

Maddy70 · 24/05/2023 15:51

Get some arch support insoles they are game changing

Original poster

Pyeby · 24/05/2023 20:33

Hi thank for replies. I got custom insoles last August which help some of the worse sustained electric shock episodes, although I can only wear with trainers. No swelling. I get sharp pinches in outside of foot pretty much every day. Not sure if amitriptyline is helping tbh. I do have very tight calf muscles and wondered if this is effecting nerve. I'm seeing GP tomorrow to see what they recommend next. I think they may send me back to physio.

OP posts:

deepspace9 · 24/05/2023 21:34

Pyeby · 24/05/2023 20:33

Hi thank for replies. I got custom insoles last August which help some of the worse sustained electric shock episodes, although I can only wear with trainers. No swelling. I get sharp pinches in outside of foot pretty much every day. Not sure if amitriptyline is helping tbh. I do have very tight calf muscles and wondered if this is effecting nerve. I'm seeing GP tomorrow to see what they recommend next. I think they may send me back to physio.

I had this a few years ago although the worst of the electric shock type pain went after around 3 months. It was excruciating. Docs never linked it to nerves though and said it was the tendons. I didn't have any swelling at all and could walk easily on it.

It's gone now but my ankle still feels very weak on times. I'm sorry I'm not much help as I'm still lost about what caused it. Worst bit is that the first pain came out of nowhere! I was literally sat eating food.

I hope you manage to sort x

deepspace9 · 24/05/2023 21:35

Oh and I meant to say that one thing that did really help was ultrasound therapy.

DarlingClementine85 · 18/08/2023 17:59

@Pyeby did you ever find out what this was? I have had this on and off for about five years since my first pregnancy. GP, podiatrist, physio and neurologist all at a loss! I have the pain when moving feet in a certain direction and the whole area goes numb / tingling when pressed, for years! Would love to know if you had any luck with a diagnosis?

Original poster

Pyeby · 18/08/2023 20:35

DarlingClementine85 · 18/08/2023 17:59

@Pyeby did you ever find out what this was? I have had this on and off for about five years since my first pregnancy. GP, podiatrist, physio and neurologist all at a loss! I have the pain when moving feet in a certain direction and the whole area goes numb / tingling when pressed, for years! Would love to know if you had any luck with a diagnosis?

I wish I could say I have.. I've just had ultrasound on my foot and waiting to get results. I think they're going to give me a steroid injection next, I'll update you after my next appointment. It's terribly frustrating and not something I'm happy to live with for rest of my life. I've always presumed it came from the ankle sprain, but who knows. Been noticing muscle twitching in calf and thighs recently, so not sure if related.

OP posts:

DarlingClementine85 · 18/08/2023 20:58

Pyeby · 18/08/2023 20:35

I wish I could say I have.. I've just had ultrasound on my foot and waiting to get results. I think they're going to give me a steroid injection next, I'll update you after my next appointment. It's terribly frustrating and not something I'm happy to live with for rest of my life. I've always presumed it came from the ankle sprain, but who knows. Been noticing muscle twitching in calf and thighs recently, so not sure if related.

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Sorry you're not any closer to a diagnosis! It's frustrating isn't it. For me, it feels like my nerves are too close to the surface and just irritated? I'm waiting for a lumber MRI and nerve conduction tests in case it's sciatica. Could be worth pursuing for you? I never had an ankle sprain and it's both feet, not just the outside but sometimes Achilles heel too, but identical the pain you're describing. Do you have numb patches where the electric pain shock pain is, and does it only occur with movement? I've been googling on and off for five years, come up with tarsal tunnel syndrome maybe?

Original poster

Pyeby · 31/08/2023 15:54

Update... seen Dr after ultrasound on foot. Apart from minor damage from previous injury they say nerves are all ok and won't give steroid injection. Been referred to pain clinic, not feeling hopeful as the amitriptyline did nothing. Very frustrating as no answers. I'm considering a private osteopath to see if it's related to the back, feel like I'm grabbing at straws.

OP posts:

DarlingClementine85 · 31/08/2023 16:31

Pyeby · 31/08/2023 15:54

Update... seen Dr after ultrasound on foot. Apart from minor damage from previous injury they say nerves are all ok and won't give steroid injection. Been referred to pain clinic, not feeling hopeful as the amitriptyline did nothing. Very frustrating as no answers. I'm considering a private osteopath to see if it's related to the back, feel like I'm grabbing at straws.

Frustrating!! I honestly think they have no idea. The foot clinic found nothing both times I was referred so I think it's a whole body issue. I've just had an MRI on my lumbar spine so I'll update in case it's the back! 😆 I found mine flares up when pregnant or breastfeeding. Could yours be related to hormones too? E.g.higher oestrogen linked to muscle relaxing? The neurologist suggest mine could be related to hyper mobility.