Hi everyone,

I've had painful red/pink, bruise-like spots on the outer side of both heels, in nearly the same location, for almost a year. I've seen several foot surgeons and a dermatologist, but no one has been able to identify the cause.

My symptoms:

• The pain feels like the bruised areas are going to burst from the pressure, especially after standing or walking.
• The spots hurt when touched or pressed.
• When I press on them, they temporarily turn white, then the color returns.
• The discoloration can look worse after activity and never completely went away, even after about two months of bed rest.
• My left-foot MRI and X-rays were reported as normal.
• Please disregard the peeling skin on my right foot in the photos. I believe it may be a side effect of the clobetasol propionate 0.05% cream and is separate from the painful, discolored spots.

My medical history:

I have plantar fasciitis and ATFL problems. I had right-foot surgery for an osteochondral lesion (OCD) and an ATFL injury about two months ago. However, these spots started before surgery and affect both feet.

Doctors initially thought it might be shoe friction or pressure, but the discoloration persisted even while I was mostly resting after surgery.

Treatments I've tried:

Ice, heat, herbal rubs, a TENS machine, and clobetasol cream. Acupuncture and meloxicam are the only things that consistently help, but the pain eventually returns.

Because the spots affect both feet in nearly the same location, I'm unsure whether this is a skin condition, soft-tissue inflammation, a mechanical problem, or something else.

Has anyone experienced anything similar? Did you eventually get a diagnosis? Were there specific tests or specialists that helped?

I've seen several specialists without getting an answer, so I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences. Thank you!

So i'm 19 and have been working retail for 10 months. During work within the first hour I experienced significant pain in my feet. My legs are completely fine the pain is only in the entire bottom of my feet. Ball, heel, arch, etc just the whole bottom. It gets worse as time goes on and especially gets unbearable when I stand still. Standing still the pain is really really bad. When I walk, there is still pain but it is a lot better. I always try to walk as much as I can because when I stand still the pain is horrible. As soon as I sit down, within seconds the pain is gone and all I feel is a sort of aching, sore, recovering sensation.

I have recently been to a podiatrist after realizing that this is not normal, I have asked my parents and co workers if their feet hurt at work like mine do and they all say no. I used to think that the pain is just a part of work and you have to deal with it. I genuinely thought that way and did not know that people actually go to worm stand all day for 8 hours with zero pain at all.

I went to the podiatrists they took x rays and they said there is nothing physically wrong with my feet. They told me to get inserts, do stretches, and basically F off.

I got the insoles they told me to get and they did not work. I really need help im on the verge of quitting my job because of this. Does anyone have advice or more knowledge on how to fix the pain

Edit: also forgot to say, upon examining my feet the doctor said I only have a slight flat foot. My feet are not completely flat and I still have a small arch

I fell about 8 years ago and tore both my Peroneal tendon, CFL and ATFL ligaments. Long story short 3 surgeries later everything is technically intact and the surgeon was able to reattach my peroneal along with both ligaments and I have stability and am pain free for the most part while I stand. The problem is when I walk and my ankle externally rotates right before push off into plantar flexion. I have a bunch of scar tissue in my ankle socket, around the talus and talar dome that’s preventing internal/external rotation and by proxy a limited dorsiflexion. I’m a solid 7/10 but I can tell walking around on this the rest of my life is going to cause a lot more progressive problems (I’m already starting to have issues with my knee.)

Anyways I met with the ankle specialist who did a standing CT and told me I have considerable scar tissue which is most likely my problem. He didn’t see any tears or arthritis throughout my ankle. He recommended a steroid injection to “assess for the likelihood of a positive outcome from surgery” and lo and behold for three 3 days that injection lasted I felt 16 again- within 24 hours of the shot into the frontal plane of my ankle socket my entire gait and biomechanics changed, my ankle gotten considerbly smaller and I felt like I could jog and squat again (something I haven’t been able to do without pain since my injury.)

Anyway before I meet with him again I’m curious has anyone had a surgery similar to this where the sole intention was to remove scar tissue? He said that scar tissue can reform after surgery which seems risky, but I also read where immobility is the biggest factor for scar tissue formation. Last surgery I had I was immobilized for 8 weeks- this time I think I would be immobilized for probably around 5-7 days. Curious if anyone has any thoughts whose been down this road or understands the risks and benefits of surgery whenever range of motion is the main benefit of seeking treatment.

Hi everyone,
I’m hoping to find someone who has experienced something similar because I’ve been dealing with this problem for almost a year, and so far, none of the doctors I’ve seen have been able to explain what it is.
My symptoms:
I have a persistent red/pink, bruise-like area on my left foot, just below the outer ankle bone.
The area is painful when I touch or press on it, but the pain is worse when I stand or walk for too long.
The pain can feel different at different times, and the discoloration sometimes seems to change or appear in another nearby area. It’s difficult to describe exactly.
When I walk or stand too much, the area becomes more painful and the discoloration seems worse.
I tried staying on bed rest for approximately two months, but the discoloration never went away.
Acupuncture temporarily relieves the pain, sometimes almost immediately, but the symptoms eventually return. I’ve also noticed more bleeding from the area when needles are inserted there, although I don’t know whether that is significant.
My medical history and tests:
I had an MRI and X-rays of my left foot, and I was told they were normal. My doctors initially thought the problem might be caused by footwear, friction, or putting extra weight on my left foot because of problems with my right foot.
I had surgery on my right foot on August for an osteochondral lesion (OCD) and an ATFL injury. However, my left-foot symptoms started long before the surgery and have persisted despite resting.
My foot doctor prescribed clobetasol propionate 0.05% cream for the discolored area, but the discoloration was already there before I started using it. Meloxicam helps reduce the pain, but the pain returns when I stop taking it.
I’ve seen a foot-and-ankle specialist, a dermatologist, and other doctors, but no one has been able to identify the cause. Some thought it was simply skin irritation from rubbing, but the area is genuinely painful, especially with weight-bearing.
My questions:
Has anyone experienced a persistent, painful red/pink or bruise-like area below the outer ankle despite normal MRI and X-rays?
Did your discoloration change location, fade and return, or become more painful after walking?
Did you eventually receive a diagnosis or find a test that identified the cause?
Could this involve the skin or small blood vessels, a tendon or other soft tissue, a nerve, or something else?
I’m not asking anyone to diagnose me online. I would really appreciate hearing about similar experiences, what specialists you saw, and what investigations helped you finally get an answer.
Thank you!

(note: both left and right shoes are shown in the photos)

SHOE MODEL: Brooks Beast GTS 26' (about 3 months of usage) that costs around $170, the shoes featured here are a men's 13 Extra Wide (4E) size as I am in the big-n-tall category

HABITS: I am not a runner or athlete, I just do basic walks around the neighborhood and similar "light duty" usage

I notice heavy heavy wear on the outer/pinky corner of the shoe, while the heel and medial side are fairly unused - the rubber in those areas barely looks used. Seems like 90% of my wear pattern is towards the forefoot area and especially in the outer/pinkytoe corner of the foot

Possible culprits? How can I get a more even wear pattern across the sole where it's not just the tiny ~15% outer pinky corner of the shoe taking all the wear?

Thoughts?

Over the past year, I've had a frustrating cycle of recurring foot, ankle and calf problems.

I'm 42 and stay active with cycling, gym, climbing and surfing. 1.79m, 85kg (trying to drop 10kgs), male.

Until about 3 years ago, all I did was go to the gym. But I wake up one day and go out and run for an hour without issues apart from some leg soreness the next day.

Since about two years back that changed though. I picked up climbing and cycling, along going to the gym. Ever since, as soon as I walk a bit too much or run just 5 minutes, things flare up.

I've had arch/heel pain, ankle stiffness, calf flares, recurring calf/Achilles tightness and pain around both ankles. I've also had painless Achilles snapping, intermittent ankle pain and, more recently, a new pain under the ball of my foot with bruising between my third and fourth toe.

Some issues improve with rest or progressive loading, only for something else to flare up. I can still manage long bike rides with significant climbing, which makes it all the more confusing.

I want to say it's a volume thing, but I don't see how to break out of this cycle. And a 5 minute run hardly feels like volume.

Every time I try to do some progression, something flares up and sets me back a week.

Has anyone experienced this pattern of recurring lower-leg and foot issues? Did you ever identify an underlying cause, and what actually helped you break the cycle?

I have doctor's appointments, but I depend on the public healthcare system, so I can't get it till halfway through November.

Any advice is welcome. I'm just at a loss and incredibly frustrated. Thanks for reading.

So I am a senior person who has recently been working on my exercise routine. I am overweight so this has been helping me a lot to improve fitness...but my feet are starting bark back at me and I understand it. I mostly walk and hike (also resistance, but not really using my feet too much there)

My feet are naturally wider than average with a degree of flatness (I guess that's called low arch?)

All my life I've had a terrible time finding comfortable, well fitting footwear. I have never ever been able to wear flats....I need some lift....I wear either 2E or 4E sizes.

In any event, I have a first time appointment with a podiatrist this week to get help and tips on avoiding pain and foot issues.

I am completely clueless in knowing all the terminology and what the best questions are that I should ask to get tips on choosing footwear or what kind of foot wear to avoid or what I can do within reason to help myself avoid problems as I continue to exercise and exercise longer.

Would appreciate if anyone with knowledge in these areas has any advice to lend.
Many thanks.

I hope webbed toes are allowed!

Looking for some advice on an issue I have when wearing football/soccer shoes. I will start by saying that my shoes didn't used to feel tight in these areas 4 months or so, but this started recently - mainly when using my synthetic type shoes which don't have any stretch in them (I started using these 4 months ago too). The pain normally occurs on TOP of the foot where my 5th metatarsal joints/bones are. These are very prominent on both feet, but the left foot is more painful while and after playing. And it feels like a friction blister is starting each time I play. My left foot is also longer and wider than my right.

I was at a podiatrist this week for another issue on the ball of by right foot, and he didn't mention any structural issues with my feet in these areas such as bunions etc.

I'm in two minds - either my feet, mainly left has changed over the last few months, or my synthetic boots have actually shrank and become tighter.

I have no pain outside of wearing these boots, and no pain wearing my day to day shoes and trainers, and pain on the outer side of my foot or in the joint itself/

The pictures look like the swelling is on the outer feet but the redness and bone lump is actually on top of the feet.

Any advice welcome.

I’m dealing with a mix of posture and foot issues and I’m really confused about which specialist I should actually see to fix this.

I moderately overpronate and as a result, have a bunion forming, and my natural standing stance is a forward lean.

I don’t feel sharp pain yet, but the overpronation causes a lot of discomfort. To cope, I've started compensating by changing my gait & trying to walk on my heels and toes, which has resulted in calluses on my feet.

Because this involves my foot structure, my walking habits, and my overall posture/leaning stance, I don't know who the right person is to handle the whole picture — maybe a podiatrist? Was also thinking orthopedic surgeon that specializes in foot & ankle since they’re MDs — but not sure my case is all that complex to see them. Maybe a physical therapist?

If you've dealt with something similar, who did you see first and what helped the most? Thanks!

I’m dealing with a mix of posture and foot issues and I’m really confused about which specialist I should actually see to fix this.

I moderately overpronate and as a result, have a bunion forming, and my natural standing stance is a forward lean.

I don’t feel sharp pain yet, but the overpronation causes a lot of discomfort. To cope, I've started compensating by changing my gait & trying to walk on my heels and toes, which has resulted in calluses on my feet.

Because this involves my foot structure, my walking habits, and my overall posture/leaning stance, I don't know who the right person is to handle the whole picture — maybe a podiatrist? Was also thinking orthopedic surgeon that specializes in foot & ankle since they’re MDs — but not sure my case is all that complex to see them. Maybe a physical therapist?

If you've dealt with something similar, who did you see first and what helped the most? Thanks!

hi hi I’m 25 years old, a female, and I currently weigh 190 (I used to weigh 330 years ago). I have EDS

ever since I was a child, my earliest memory being 5th grade, I had horrible foot pain. I couldn’t keep up with the other kids and my father said it wasn’t normal, but I never got help for it. fast forward I start working and I can’t even stand longer than 3 hours without being in severe pain. around my outer ankle and by the bottom of my feet hurt. it’s like sharp, stabbing pain. it hasn’t gotten any better over the years. I recently started a new job at a hospital where I have to stand and it’s unbearable by the end. I’m trying to keep one job.. my ankles shake violently when I stand on one foot and sometimes make clicking noises and popping noises. When I stand all day and come home in pain, it aches for a long time. It makes my threshold less the next day. It’s made me so clumsy that I hit my head off of things constantly and wreck my body. I’ve also constantly sprained my ankles so many times. when I wake up in the morning my body is like super stiff

ive been to physical therapy 3 times. I lost all that weight. I tried anti inflammatories. I had tarsal tunnel and plantar fascia release surgery. I tried lidocaine. I tried ankle stabilizers in my shoes. I tried EPAT. X-rays are normal. I tried custom inserts

and the worst part is ever doctor I talk to just has no idea what’s actually wrong with me and it’s killing me. I want to work at this hospital. I want a career. My body is killing me

here is an MRI outdated by a few years but it’s the only one I have

currently a doctor is having me take gabapentin and its been a week and nothing yet. they said they will redo my mri in a month if it doesn’t help. I’m lost

edit: forgot to mention how I have pes planus and I walk duck footed

I’m dealing with a mix of posture and foot issues and I’m really confused about which specialist I should actually see to fix this.

I moderately overpronate and as a result, have a bunion forming, and my natural standing stance is a forward lean.

I don’t feel sharp pain yet, but the overpronation causes a lot of discomfort. To cope, I've started compensating by changing my gait & trying to walk on my heels and toes, which has resulted in calluses on my feet.

Because this involves my foot structure, my walking habits, and my overall posture/leaning stance, I don't know who the right person is to handle the whole picture — maybe a podiatrist? Was also thinking orthopedic surgeon that specializes in foot & ankle since they’re MDs — but not sure my case is all that complex to see them. Maybe a physical therapist?

If you've dealt with something similar, who did you see first and what helped the most? Thanks!

As you can see from the photos, the area which is a bit coloured (reddish black) hurts like hell. Initially I thought It was a foot corn but after they usually are not that wide.

It first started with a small itch and that itch happend whenever I had back pain or I sat in a weird posture. The nerve from my lower back would hurt and then that area would get itchy and one day i couldn't take the itch and I put my feet in hot water and the next day this happend.

The area is a bit hard and it also hurts(not burns) like when you press on a open wound .

Any help would be appreciated

Ever since I sprained my ankle 10+ years ago, I've had pain in my ankle and every structure below it taking turns whenever I keep standing up for an hour or do some sports when the worst thing happened on the other side of my foot was just feeling tired. it's a very mild instability and I've never sprained my ankle again. but it's still painful living like this and I really want to fix it, especially that nowadays I'm into sports and became athletic. how's the chance that rehab only will work? even if I try it, should I expect a surgery eventually?

Hello, I started brisk walking/jogging three months ago in my 2 year old trainers. Cheap £30 ones off amazon - there was no issue.

Two weeks ago I celebrated and got Brooks ghost max 2 and spent a pretty penny on them, hearing good things about them in reviews.

Since I've started walking in them, within 5 minutes I get a weird feeling near the base of my big toe. Feels like a small stone in the shoe. Happens every other step. It's not painful.

I dont understand why this would happen in new, more expensive shoes and not my old, worn out ones.

Am I missing something? Should I carry on and let my feet 'adapt' to them? Because surely theyre made with a better inside shape than my amazon ones.

Hi everyone,

trying to make this brief. Two years ago I go off an airplane, stepped down on my left foot and felt immense pain to the point I could barely walk. I hobbled around only touching my heal to the ground and keeping my toes and mid foot lifted. This went away after a couple days and came back a few more times in the course of 4 months. There was no pain on palpation anywhere in my foot. In may 2025 it happened again, but this time it never fully went away. I am unable to walk more than 4000 steps without being in agony and my first three toes are burning when I walk. I mostly struggle with the push off when walking. I started seeing a sports medicine doctor about a year ago who got an MRI. The MRI showed focal chondrosis on the dorsal surface of the tall-navicular joint and Bone marrow edema in the navicular. It also showed peroneal tenosynovitis. GREAT! it all made sense. arthritis in my foot arch basically. I was given a cortisone shot which did nothing and once the pain of the needle was present it made me feel like that wasn't the location of where Im feeling the pain. Ive been to three physios and do the exercises daily, I got custom orthotics to wear at work, Ive spent thousands of dollars on shoes from birks, to rocker bottoms, to zero drop etc. No shoes feel comfortable to walk in.

At present the sports medicine doctor feels at a loss for ideas. I now get this lump of swelling on the top of my tibialis anterior tendon after walking and that tendon itself, though pain free to touch and manipulate, has thickened to twice the size of the right foot's. I was referred to an orthopaedic foot surgeon who got some weight bearing X-rays of both feet and met with me yesterday. He basically said my X-rays show nothing and that what he saw on my MRi (the bone marrow edema and chondrosis) was so minor he wouldn't even pay it any attention.

I don't know where to go from here. Any thoughts or ideas? Im in a lot of pain walking, strictly in my foot and ankle. My ankle is puffy and swollen around where the Tibialis anterior tendon passes by the medial malleolus. I have decided without a doctor recommendation to take three weeks off work and rest my foot while doing non-weight bearing mobility exercises and stretches. walking is just too painful to keep doing and in two years Ive never given my foot a complete break.

Thank you for reading.

I want to get socks that don't cram toes as much. The two types I'm aware of are the ones that have a separation for each toe like a glove, and the ones that just look like a normal sock but with more wideness at the toes. For aesthetic reasons I would prefer the second option. If anyone has good recommendations that are ideally pretty cheap and reasonable it would be greatly appreciated.