12/7/2020 to 12/18/2020

On Dec 7th 2020 after visiting my pediatrist about the pain at the ball of my feet, he diagnosed me with capsulitis of the metatarsal joint in both feet. Right now it affects the 2nd and 3rd toe (See Figure 1) he gave me some Hapad cushion inserts to relieve pressure from the ball of my feet. He noted that the outside of my pinky toe is pinkish (See Figure 2) and recommended I get wider shoes.

I immediately bought two pairs of Size 10 Asic Nimbus 22 size EE (Wide). Note that I got my feet scanned at FleetFeet and my shoe size should be approximately 8.9 and size E (See Figure 3). I usually wear size 9.5 regular width Asic Nimbus. I never had an issue with the width of my shoes before.

Between Dec 7th - Dec 18th I used the Hapads in my shoe when I need to walk around the house and go to work.

I went to work on site at my job on Dec 14, 15, and 17th. I began to have more foot pain. It’s affecting the 2nd to 5th toes on both feet at the metatarsal joint. Because the ball of feet hurts, I started to curl my toes to use them as claws to keep the pressure off the ball of my feet. Doing this for one day caused my toes to hurt really bad so I had to stop doing that. So instead I leaned my body back to distribute the pressure on my heels. After 1 hour of doing this, my heel starts to hurt A LOT so I also had to stop doing this also.

I took medical leave from work since Dec 18th and did not return to work since then because my feet just kept getting worse.

Figure 1: Pain in 2nd and 3rd metatarsal joint.

Figure 2: Redness at two areas

Figure 3: Feet scan at fleet feet.

Figure 3: Just a picture of my feet on Dec 7 2020

12/21/2020 to 12/23/2020

Dec 21st and 22nd 2020 I went out to get groceries, they were short trips. In my latest trip while waiting in line to pay for my groceries I was debating on leaving all my groceries at the line because it hurt so bad. The ball of feet and heel hurt, I hop off my feet and lay my body on top of the shopping cart so I can complete my purchase with as little weight-bearing on my feet. It felt like my feet had ran barefoot on a million miles of a pebble path.

On Dec 23 2020 I received a warm foot spa from my friends as a Christmas gift. Figures 4 - 7 are what my feet look like after using the warm foot spa. (Figures 1-3 are pictures of what my feet looked like before every using the warm foot spa.)

Figure 1: New area that hurts. It hurts where the bone is that I am pointing at. 12/22/2020

Figure 2: Just a picture of the underside of my foot on 12/23/2020 before I ever started doing warm foot spas.

Figure 3: The heel has a hint of dark blackish blue color. This was taken on 12/23/2020 before I ever started doing warm foot spas.

Figure 4: Taken on 12/23/2020 after warm foot bath.

Figure 5: Taken on 12/23/2020 after warm foot bath.

Figure 6: Taken on 12/23/2020 after warm foot bath.

Figure 7: Taken on 12/23/2020 after warm foot bath.

12/30/2020

Since the grocery trip to the store the ball of my feet and heel hurts from daily activity things like going to the bathroom, shower, brushing teeth, and cooking. This is what my feet looks like (See Figure 1-3). There is no swelling or redness of the feet, it’s blackish blue/purple at the heel. Do not excuse the coloration as dirty feet. I always wear shoes with socks at home, that coloration is internal. I felt like there was a blood flow issue with my feet because it was purple. I asked my doctor was there anything I could do like massage my foot to increase blood flow? Elevating my leg up so the blood flows easier to the heart? I told him I would not walk at all for the next 5 days.

I asked my doctor will warm water and Epsom salt foot spas every night help increase inflammation which brings more blood and tissue rebuilding processes to the area to heal faster? Using the warm foot spa was something I had already been doing daily. I don't care about inflammation causing pain if I can heal faster. I understood cold water decreases inflammation, which decrease pain but cause a longer healing period, so I didn’t ever want to make my feet cold.

Videos 1 and 2 I discuss where I feel pain. Please excuse how I pronounce metatarsal. Also at this point in time I say, 'I "think" I feel pain here,' because at this time I did not yet realize that my feet feels pain when in a dependent position. When I raise my foot up or massage out the blood/lymph/fluid or whatever, the pain lessens. It is only later around March 2021 that I realize that i can raise my feet up and drain out the fluid build up in my feet I feel less pain.

Figure 1: Discoloration in heel.

Figure 2: Discoloration in heel.

Figure 3: Discoloration in heel.

Video 1: Areas where I feel pain.

Video 2: Areas where I feel pain.