Top of feet: aches and pain

I have a job (15 years) where I am on my feet approximately 8 hours straight, except for lunch where I always sit down. Because I am always on my feet, I buy a new pair of shoes every 4 months, because the cushion inside, and heels outside wear down. These shoes have no "high" heel, and are made exclusively for this kind of work. In addition, I always wear the same brand/style of shoe, and I also wear orthotics, to help with heel pain/bunions.

For the last 6 months, I have been having pain/aching on the tops of my feet (right foot more serious), but that pain has been getting worse, and lasting for longer periods of time. These pains/aches are located from where the foot starts, to about an inch before my toes. The pain feels like the tendons/muscles from the leg to the foot are being pulled very tight. At the end of the day, my feet usually are swelled on top, and feel so "tight" on top, that I literally have to spend the rest of the day off my feet(sometimes the next day too), because it hurts to walk. Also, I find that if I stretch my foot out to where it has no bend at the ankle, it feels much better, almost like loosening up a stiff muscle, yet as soon as it goes back to normal position, it starts to hurt again. It used to be when I woke up in the morning, the pain would be gone, however this is not the case anymore.

I went to my podiatrist when I first started feeling this pain, and he said, "My feet hurt after I work all day,too". That basically was it. Needless to say, I haven't been back. So, I buy good shoes, I wear orthotics, I put my feet up whenever possible, and I still have pain. BTW, I sleep on my back/side (my doc always asked me about this), drink lots of water, and take vitamins daily. So, got any ideas?

[mimipod]

I would consult a podiatrist that has biomechanical/gait analysis /prescription foot orthoses expertise. If you had presented with these foot complaints in our clinic we would have undertaken further assessment /consultation in this area. I wear presciption foot orthoses and do not have aching feet by the end of the day. Of course, without one on one consultation with a podiatrist that deals with gait analysis , to ensure the specifics of your foot pain is difficult .