This foot condition is first noticed as a tingling or burning sensation in two of your outer toes. Sometimes there is a sharp, stabbing pain in the ball of the foot. Symptoms are usually only felt when weight is on the foot. When you sit down and put your feet up, the sensation disappears. What is happening is one of the arches in your foot (there are 3 arches) is dropping, and the bones have shifted and are pinching a nerve. Wearing shoes with good support around the heel and a wide toe area will sometimes relieve your symptoms. A metatarsal pad placed in the correct position may also relieve your symptoms for a while. The long-term solution is a custom foot orthotic to correct the bone alignment and remove the pressure. If left untreated for too long this condition may become chronic and require injection or surgical intervention.

Diane Calder, BSc KIN, CPed(C), Pedorthist. B.D Mitchell Prosthetics and Orthotics, www.mitchellpando.com