Still in Pain After
Seeing Other Doctors?
You’ve Done Everything Right. The Pain Is Still There.
You’ve followed the advice, done the exercises, tried the medications. You’ve been patient. But the pain keeps coming back, or never fully went away.
If previous treatments haven’t worked, it doesn’t mean your condition is untreatable. It often means the real cause hasn’t been found yet. Check any that apply to you.
You’ve tried injections, orthotics, or physical therapy without lasting relief
You’ve had surgery, but the pain came back or never fully resolved
You’ve been told “just live with it” or “there’s nothing more we can do”
Your pain has been diagnosed, but the treatment isn’t working
You suspect something else is going on that hasn’t been found
Your pain has spread, changed, or gotten worse over time
If even one of these sounds like you, our specialists can help. We’ll start with advanced diagnostics to find what’s been missed.
Start Fresh. Find the Cause. Fix It.
We don’t repeat what’s already been tried. We take a different approach, starting with diagnostics most clinics don’t have.
Listen & Investigate
We review your full history, what’s been tried, and what hasn’t worked. Then we run advanced diagnostics (ultrasound, nerve testing, ) to find what was missed.
Diagnose the Real Cause
Chronic pain that doesn’t respond to treatment often has a hidden cause, frequently a nerve issue, undetected compression, or scar tissue. Our technology reveals what standard exams can’t.
Build Your Plan
Once we know the real cause, we build a treatment plan around it. This might include laser therapy, nerve treatment, regenerative medicine, or minimally invasive surgery.
The Problem Isn’t Always Where the Pain Is
Understanding why previous treatments didn’t work is the first step toward finding one that will.
Treating Symptoms, Not the Source
Pain medications and injections manage symptoms but don’t address the underlying cause. When they wear off, the pain returns because nothing has actually changed.
Missed Nerve Involvement
Post-surgery pain, heel pain, ball of foot pain, and top of foot pain are often not caused by structures in those locations but by nerves that innervate those locations. X-rays don’t show this, which is why it gets missed.
Incomplete Diagnosis
Most foot and ankle problems have a “what hurts” and a “why it hurts.” For example, you may have plantar fasciitis AND nerve entrapment. If only one is diagnosed and treated, the pain persists.
Pain That Persists or Returns
Sometimes pain continues or returns despite previous treatment. This can happen when the original cause was only partially addressed, or when a secondary issue like nerve compression develops over time. Identifying the true source is the first step toward resolution.
Real Patients, Real Results
Two Podiatrists, No Answers
After seeing two previous podiatrists and not really getting any answers, only “possible stress fracture” or “possible neuroma,” D.G. was frustrated and still in pain. One previous podiatrist even said she didn’t need an ultrasound.
Dr. Larsen Finally Found the Real Cause
When D.G. came to Next Step, Dr. Larsen ordered the ultrasound her previous doctor had refused. It confirmed a torn plantar plate and a neuroma. For the first time, she had a clear diagnosis and a real treatment plan.
Finally Healing
“Finally, I found someone who listened, understood the pain I was going through, and offered various treatments to help me. 10 out of 10 for Dr. Larsen and this office. I’m not quite sure where I would be on my healing journey without them.”
Four Specialists, One Goal: Solving Your Pain
Depending on what we find, your care may involve one or more of our board-certified specialists.
Board-Certified Surgeon
AENS-Certified Nerve Specialist
Nerve Surgery
Foot & Ankle Surgery
Board-Certified Surgeon
Questions You’re Probably Asking
We know you’ve been through this before. Here’s what makes this different.
How is your approach different from the doctors I’ve already seen?
We start by assuming the previous diagnosis may have been incomplete. Our in-house diagnostics (ultrasound, nerve testing, diagnostic injections) reveal issues that standard exams and X-rays miss. We also have AENS-certified nerve specialists on staff, which most clinics don’t.
I’ve already had surgery and I’m still in pain. Can you help?
Yes. Persistent pain is one of the most common reasons patients come to us. Pain after surgery can result from scar tissue compressing a nerve, an incomplete correction, or a secondary issue that wasn’t addressed. We can evaluate and often treat these cases without additional surgery.
Will I need surgery?
Every case is different. We always start by exploring non-surgical options, and many chronic pain cases respond well to advanced therapies like Class IV laser, EST Neuropathy Treatment, or shockwave therapy. If you have an issue that requires surgery, we’ll discuss it with you.
What if my pain doesn’t have a clear cause?
That’s actually common, and it doesn’t mean nothing is wrong. It often means the right test hasn’t been run yet. Our advanced nerve testing and imaging frequently reveal issues that were previously undetected.
How long before I know if your treatment is working?
Most patients notice improvement within the first few weeks. We set clear expectations upfront and track your progress so we can adjust the plan if needed.
Does insurance cover a second opinion?
Yes.
Chronic Pain Often Stems from These Conditions
If your pain hasn’t responded to treatment, one of these may be the underlying cause.
Have You Been Told There’s Nothing More That Can Be Done?
We’ve helped patients who were told their pain was permanent, their condition was untreatable, or that they just had to learn to live with it. Our advanced diagnostics and specialized training let us find answers that others miss.
You Deserve a Real Answer.
If you’ve been living with chronic foot or ankle pain that hasn’t responded to previous treatment, let’s find out why. Our specialists have the tools and the training to look deeper.