I had a nerve conduction test (very painful!) done on my feet/back this morning and an MRI (on my back). My orthopedist wanted my back doctor to rule out nerve damage before doing surgery for plantar fascitis on my feet.
Well, the test showed that I do have nerve entrapment (called tarsal tunnel syndrome) in my right foot. (It's similar to carpal tunnel syndrome in your wrist.) The nerves in the foot are trapped or kinked like a garden hose sometimes does.
The doctor said he hasn't tested anyone for this in the past 4 years since it is pretty rare. He said the chances of me having this would be about 2 percent. So I think he was surprised at the results. He just shook his head and said if anyone would have this, it would be me! (Nothing that I've experienced the past several years has been the norm.)
I'm not surprised. I have been experiencing this pain for about 7 years, and I kept telling doctors that even when I was resting my foot (watching tv, driving), that I felt a hot, burning pain that was so awful I wanted to scream. I don't think they believed me!
This probably explains why my $450 custom-made orthodics cause an incredible hot burning pain when I wear them----instead of the relief most people experience.
I am thrilled that I have found two excellent doctors (foot and back) who are finally getting to the bottom of this. But I could kick myself for sticking with other doctors for years, who insisted the pain could not be this bad.
The back doctor (who did the tests today) said the orthopedist can hopefully repair some of these nerves when he does the plantar fascitis surgery. He also mentioned me taking a medication, Neurontin, for the nerve pain. I think this is used for bipolar disorder too (which I also have), so that's weird.
I was hoping to avoid surgery if my insurance company approved the shock wave therapy for my foot, but I don't think that's an option anymore.
I have mixed feelings. I'm glad they found a reason for the pain, but scared because this is more serious. I've been told that nerve pain is hard to treat.
My orthodedic surgeon is out of town this week, so now I'm playing the waiting---and worrying---game!
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You're kidding? It hurts?
