I've been having pain in the ball of my foot for a year. I've been going to a podiatrist for almost that long. He's called my problem: arthritis in the big toe, capsulitis, neuroma. I've had several cortisone shots, generic orthotics and finally custom orthotics. I'm supposed to wear them all the time and not wear sandals, open back shoes or heels higher than an inch. I'm 54 and quite active, walking at least 10 miles a week.
I've decided that the next time my problem flares up, it's time for a new podiatrist.
Is there anyone who's had the same problem and what was your outcome?

it just doesn't make sense i'm under 16 and i'm having foot problems that 50 year old people get http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif. life sucks, i don't see the point of living if i can't do the sports i use to do 4 hours + each day. my problem is also near the ball of my foot. i have an ankle inflammation problem that never goes away, its been 8 months now and i still can't play the sports i love. my whole life was practically sports and now i can't do ****. anyways, ankle inflammation is my problem :/ i hate it

I have basically been told the good lord blessed me with a bad pair of feet. Have had a joint replacement and neuroma surgery. Am experimenting with different
padding to see what works & doesn't before custom orthotics are made. Looks like a lifetime of shoe inserts for me also. Will always be living with some pain.

I really don't understand why anyone would feel so "doomed" to living with orthotics. Sheesh, what's the big deal? They're inserts in your shoes, and you replace them every 1-2 years.

You have feet that you can walk on, you have a form of relief. You go to the dentist every 6 months, you take a shower every day, you get your hair cut. These are all "maintenance" rituals we do to take care of ourselves.

Imagine not having the luxury of orthotics being the only thing you have to gripe about. Imagine repeat surgeries? How about spinal surgery, or paralysis, or not being able to walk or stand, never mind run and play sports.

I think sometimes we lose perspective about the "woes" life has given us, and what you need to do to take care of yourself. How would you like a life of invasive procedures, repeat injections, surgeries, appliances, etc.? When you really think about it, having to wear orthotics is a minimal compromise to be mobile.

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Life isn't what happens to you -- it's how you react to it!

Thoughts don't make us who we are -- Actions do.

I have Morton's neuroma in my left foot. At first I wore my orthotics all the time except in bed. It was that or really suffer. Now I can get away without them if I am not walking too far. They really make a difference in my back too. I have a job where I have to dress up and mine only fit my sneakers and not dress shoes but hey!!!! it is my foot and I don't care what people think. If your feet hurt you hurt all over and are miserable.

Yep, I agree. I've worn orthotics for many years, on and off. It was my mistake going off, but it happened. I also have spine problems, and truly believe that there is a direct connection between your foundation and your posture, and it's amazing that insurance companies don't see the connection. They (and a lot of the medical establishment) insist on dissecting us into bits and pieces as if nothing is connected, and that a problem with our feet couldn't possibly have anything to do with migraines or hip pain. What gives? Aagh.

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Life isn't what happens to you -- it's how you react to it!

Thoughts don't make us who we are -- Actions do.

When I posted my question, I was looking for others' experiences with foot pain and to find out if orthotics were the only answer. I did not expect to be told to live with them and be grateful.
I've been a breast cancer survivor for nearly 13 years and have moderate bone loss which necessitates walking at least 10 mi. per week as well as taking Fosamax and calcium.
If I had "lived with" the breast cancer, I might be dead today. If I chose to "live with" the osteoporosis, I'd probably break a hip and spend the rest of my days in a nursing home as my mother did.
This is a matter of style: figuring out the best outcome for yourself and taking the reasonable steps to make it happen.
I want to be able to walk barefoot on the beach, wear sandals when it's 90 degrees and wear heels to my daughters' weddings. I'm trying to find the best way to do these things.

to Newbie - I echo your sentiments. I just found this board, I was doing a search to find out if there was an alternative to orthodics, which, I suspect the podiatrist is going to prescribe for me when I see him for the first time next week. I like to get as much information as I can before seeing a doctor. Having been diagnosed with Hepatitis C, I've found this very important. Had I listened to the first "specialist" I saw, I'd be on debilitating drugs right now that only have a 50% success rate - as I am symptom free, I thought I'd wait it out - the new drugs are 75% effective - I am hoping by the time I need to take anything they will be 100% succesful with no side effects - so when I saw all the responses to your simple question, I was dumbfounded. I don't know why people need to make things more complicated than they are, or wax philosophic and completely outside the subject of your posting. If you hear of any alternatives, please let me know.