Do I truly have no options?

Sorry... original poster here. I just saw the sticky above, so I need to add additional information.

For Part I:

* where does it hurt --- my fifth toe on my right foot, with radiating pain along the outer edge and bottom of my foot. Sometimes, the pain is also along the top of my foot.
* how long has it hurt for --- twelve weeks
* how bad is the pain --- Now? Probably a four or five (frown, no tears)
* what where you doing when it started -- I broke my toe (spiral fracture) when I ran into a door jamb
* what have you done for it so far --- ice, elevation, rest, ibuprofen, buddy-taping, have seen a podiatrist twice, have worn a surgical shoe
* anything relieve it --- see previous answer.
* what have you been told about it so far --- it is fractured, but is healing "fine." Originally, I was told it would take 4-6 weeks to heal, but that time frame has crept up and up every time the doctor notices that it isn't fully healing.
* is it affecting your ability to work or play sport --- yes! I love to power-walk, but I haven't been able to do that since the fracture. I also cannot do Pilates or yoga properly.
* do you have any other sorts of symptoms ---ball-of-foot pain that I've always had
* what country you are in -- USA (with HMO medical insurance)

For Part II:

* where does it hurt --- the balls of my feet, with pain occasionally going into the arches of my feet or into my toes.
* how long has it hurt for --- my entire life? It is especially bad if I wear any show with more than a 0.5"-0.75" heel (so basically every shoe except my Vibram Five Fingers or any of my ballet flats).
* how bad is the pain --- A frown, no tears (6-7) after wearing any shoes with any heel at all; a 2 when barefoot.
* what where you doing when it started -- It always is a problem, but especially when I wear any shoes with a heel
* what have you done for it so far --- have seen a podiatrist twice. have bought just about every gel pad, arch support, and pillow insole that is sold, have tried just about every type of shoe
* anything relieve it --- see previous answer.
* what have you been told about it so far --- "nothing can be done."
* is it affecting your ability to work or play sport --- It is hard to work sometimes because my feet hurt. I can't buy walking shoes with much of a heel.
* do you have any other sorts of symptoms ---toe and outer foot pain after a fracture
* what country you are in -- USA (with HMO medical insurance)

 

Sorry... original poster here. I just saw the sticky above, so I need to add additional information.

For Part I:

* where does it hurt --- my fifth toe on my right foot, with radiating pain along the outer edge and bottom of my foot. Sometimes, the pain is also along the top of my foot.
* how long has it hurt for --- twelve weeks
* how bad is the pain --- Now? Probably a four or five (frown, no tears)
* what where you doing when it started -- I broke my toe (spiral fracture) when I ran into a door jamb
* what have you done for it so far --- ice, elevation, rest, ibuprofen, buddy-taping, have seen a podiatrist twice, have worn a surgical shoe
* anything relieve it --- see previous answer.
* what have you been told about it so far --- it is fractured, but is healing "fine." Originally, I was told it would take 4-6 weeks to heal, but that time frame has crept up and up every time the doctor notices that it isn't fully healing.
* is it affecting your ability to work or play sport --- yes! I love to power-walk, but I haven't been able to do that since the fracture. I also cannot do Pilates or yoga properly.
* do you have any other sorts of symptoms ---ball-of-foot pain that I've always had
* what country you are in -- USA (with HMO medical insurance)

For Part II:

* where does it hurt --- the balls of my feet, with pain occasionally going into the arches of my feet or into my toes.
* how long has it hurt for --- my entire life? It is especially bad if I wear any show with more than a 0.5"-0.75" heel (so basically every shoe except my Vibram Five Fingers or any of my ballet flats).
* how bad is the pain --- A frown, no tears (6-7) after wearing any shoes with any heel at all; a 2 when barefoot.
* what where you doing when it started -- It always is a problem, but especially when I wear any shoes with a heel
* what have you done for it so far --- have seen a podiatrist twice. have bought just about every gel pad, arch support, and pillow insole that is sold, have tried just about every type of shoe
* anything relieve it --- see previous answer.
* what have you been told about it so far --- "nothing can be done."
* is it affecting your ability to work or play sport --- It is hard to work sometimes because my feet hurt. I can't buy walking shoes with much of a heel.
* do you have any other sorts of symptoms ---toe and outer foot pain after a fracture
* what country you are in -- USA (with HMO medical insurance)

 

I can't help with part 1 but I know where you are coming from with part 2!! This is meant to be a problem for old people but I too have had it since I was really young.

But you can definitely wear orthotics that will cushion your feet and absorb the shock of your foot hitting the ground. I wear some really good orthotics but it took working with my podiatrist to find the materials that worked. Don't let them put any hard material in the orthotics, you need cushioning! Even then your choice of footwear is going to be limited if you want to be comfortable. I tend to wear trainers (running shoes) or boots with a very low heel.

You need to find a good podiatrist which I guess is difficult if you don't have health insurance. I am in the UK but have to pay for podiatry treatment and orthotics so it can work out expensive. But it is a priority as I wouldn't be able to live a normal life without my orthotics.

I hope you can sort something out and for your injury too. It's tough having painful feet and unless people have experienced that they do not appreciate how difficult it is.

 

Thank you so much! I figured that this doctor was wrong. I am not surprised.

I will look into a second opinion.