2nd toe right foot hurt and sending shooting pain into top of foot

by Mary
(Seatlle, WA)

Just to be thorough, I had a baby 2 months ago around the time I noticed the problem. They gave me a medacine that made my feet swell for about two weeks, after the swelling went down is when I noticed the pain. It was only on the top of my toe at first (2nd toe on right foot) and I assumed I fractured it somehow so I tried to let it heal...then it got worse and when something touches it, electric pains shoot through my toe and top of foot to my ankle. Now its gotten to where my toe is aching even when nothing is touching it and when anything touches the top of my foot a shooting pain goes though to my toe! Also my foot randomly falls asleep :(

I went to the ER (my insurance had me do that instead of going to DR) and they had my get an x-ray and there is no break or fracture...they asked if I wanted pain pills (cant take) or a brace (obviously that will not work since anything touching the top hurts).

Not sure what could be the problem and they just seemed to blow me off because there was no break or fracture!

Thanks

Hi Mary,
The type of pain you describe sounds more neurological in nature than anything else. Additionally, I am concerned that your foot randomly falls asleep; that obviously is not normal and may also be suggestive of a nerve problem.
Since you just gave birth, the nerve problem may not necessarily be originating in the foot , but could be coming from any point up to your lower spine.
I would suggest you fight with your insurance company to allow you to see a doctor as I think this problem could possibly be more than just an annoying problem.

Marc Mitnick DPM

foot pain on the top of my foot

by Julia Koonce
(Sandy, Utah)

when I walk on my right foot it feels like I am being stabbed with knives across the top of my foot. It has been bothering me since June 2010 (yes it is October) we went to florida and did a lot of walking and it got to where my feet hurt really bad now it just does not seem to be getting better. it hurts to stretch it when I point my toes down, there is no pain to push on it or to stretch my toes towards my calf. I hate going to the doctor it always ends with lots of tests and surgery. I am at the end of my rope my first 10-15 steps hurt no matter what time of day it is but it is always really bad first thing in the morning what do you think it could be and do I need to go to the doctor or is there something I can do at home besides ice and heat and motrin?

Hi Julia,
Generally, when feet hurt on initial ambulation, only to improve somewhat as the person walks, the first thing that comes to mind is osteoarthritis or the wear and tear arthritis we all develop. BUT, I have heard of it being described as a stabbing pain, so I am not sure that is the case with you.
Very simply, if this pain is severe enough and keeps you from doing the things that you would like to do, then a visit to a doctor would be the best advice I could give you.
Keep in mind, not all doctor visits end up in surgery and you always have the option of saying no if surgery is suggested (for whatever reason). If this problem has been going on for two weeks or longer and does not seem to be easing up, then I think it should be examined by a doctor.
Marc Mitnick DPM
Find a Podiatrist Near You

Lump on the outside of left foot

by Cece
(Raleigh, NC)

I have a small lump on the left side of my foot. After I've been sitting for a while and get up to walk its very painful and is accompany with throbbing pulse like pain. I have no idea how this happen, all I know is that. is very painful and its keeping me from my normal day to day activities. I have no insurance therefor, I can't go to the Dr. and get it checked out. I'm going on 3 weeks and it seems to get worst. It feels hard to the touch, and it seems to have spread a little...any suggestion as to want it might be?

Hi Cece,
I understand your dilemma but unfortunately any type of lump should be examined by a doctor just to make sure it is nothing serious.
Without having the luxury of examining you I cannot possibly tell you what is causing the lump.
If you are going to go to a doctor, you should see either a podiatrist or an orthopedist; going to your family doctor is generally a waste of time in these matters.
Call around to various offices and tell them you have no insurance and see if they will offer you a discount. We do that in my practice as I understand how difficult it is for some people these days.
Do yourself a favor and have the lump looked at.

Marc Mitnick DPM

left toenail pain at night

by Zuks
(South Africa)

I am a female 40yrs old not on menopause as yet. I was woken up by a throbing pain in my left big toe nail. I had an op in 1997 to remove ingrowing toenail on the same foot. The pain is worse when I put pressure on the toe.I do not know what causes the pain.

Hi Zuks,
My first thought might be a recurrence of the previous ingrown nail. You should see a local doctor as you do not want this to become infected.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Severe pain on the ball of my foot, feels like i am walking on a pebble or marble

by Melanie
(Michigan)

For the past month I have had pain on the ball of my foot between my pinky toe and the next one over. It hurts very bad whenever any pressure is put on the area even when doing something simple like pressing on the gas peddle. I feel a lump when I walk like there is a pebble inside my foot. I had foot surgery for plantar faciitis about five years ago and the pain was worse after the surgery than before, although now it's a different kind of pain. I'm not sure if the two are connected or not. What could this be?

Hi Melanie,
In general when people tell me they have the feeling of a pebble in their shoe, I look for a cyst in the skin or possibly a wart. If you have examined the bottom of your foot and the skin is clear, then you have to look for a soft tissue growth of some sort.
Without examining you, I cannot tell you what you have, but if the problem bothers you enough you should seek the advice of a podiatrist to figure out what is causing the problem.
Marc Mitnick DPM
Find a Podiatrist Near You

bilateral pain, numbness, tingling

by Diane
(Illinois)

I've had numbness in my right 2nd & 3rd toes for 17+ years since my epidural with the birth of my son. Approx 6 years ago, I developed pain in my right metatarsal, consistant with neuroma type pain. Many trips to Dr., Podiatrist, etc. without relief. I have had my feet taped, worn Rx and non-Rx orthodics,seen numerous therapist (physical, massage, etc.)and only get minimal relief with certain types of shoes. X-rays and MRI show nothing. Over the past year the pain/numbness has increased and is now also in my left foot - many days worse than my right. There is a constant tightness; it feels as if my metatarsals are being squeezed. I also experience a lot of burning and prefer to go without socks. Sometimes, there are shooting pains as well. Going barefoot - even to the bathroom at night - is out of the question. I feel like I am walking on stumps. The pain and discomfort are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Any suggestions/ideas?

Hi Diane,
With the severe neurological type pain you are having, have you had your lower back examined? Since both your feet now bother you, it is possible it is coming from a common denominator and in many cases that can be the lower back.
Has a tarsal tunnel syndrome (see my article) been ruled out as well?
I would look into both those possibilities as well as considering another MRI by another radiologist as it amazes me how many times an MRI shows "nothing" but a real problem actually exists.
Marc Mitnick DPM

feel like pinky toe is shifting under the 4th toe and it is painful

by Maryanne
(Dunellen, NJ)

my husband had hammertoe surgery to his pinky toe about 1 and 1/2 years ago. it is still swollen and when he walks with shoes on that is when the most pain is present (with socks on). been back to dr and was told the bone is good and surgically everything is fine.

talked to another dr and he even mentioned amputation but that he didn't think that would bring any relief.

is there such a thing as surgery to get rid of excess skin on the pinky toe?

Hi Maryanne,
One of the problems of hammertoe surgery is chronic swelling in the toe. For the fifth toe this can be an issue because it now rubs on his shoe.
A simple approach would be to try a wider boxier type shoe. He could also wrap the toe in one inch elastoplast which would keep the swelling down and further separate his toe from the shoe. Lastly, he could try a cortisone injection. It will probably be painful, but if it works it will be worth it.
As far amputating the toe, in theory it would eliminate the pain, but I would like to think there are better options out there.
Marc Mitnick DPM

recurrent bruising to top of foot after hammertoe surgery

by Darla
(USA)

Surgery 5 weeks ago. 2 piece fixation device implanted 2nd toe. The toe was shortened. Incision was lateral and hidden between 1st and 2nd toes and is almost un-noticable. Bruising top of foot had all but resolved. Now am noting that bruising recurs with ambulation. Painless-yet it concerns me. Could a blood vessel be in the way of a structure within my feet that is mobile when I am? What do you suggest I do about this?

Hi Darla,
Bruising of this nature certainly is common immediately after surgery but generally does not occur weeks after the procedure.
Do yourself a favor and call you surgeons office to let them know about this situation and let them decide if you need to be seen or not.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Pain on top of the foot

by Kelly S
(Davis,CA, USA)

My Mom has been having foot pain on the tops of her feet. It started in one foot about a year ago and then this last year started in her second foot. She says the pain is so bad it sometimes makes her cry. She has a huge pain threshold so I know that must be pretty painful. The symtoms are odd, and as you have said in your articles, non- foot practicioners mis-diagnose things. She has heard it all and doesn't know what/who to believe. I am reaching out to you. She stated to me yesterday that the pain can last all through the night not allowing her to sleep. The pain subsides when cold is applied but when a heating pad is applied the pain gets worse. Laying down causes the pain to hurt worse then when she is not laying down. The feet do not tingle or feel numb. Some days she can't walk on them. ANy help you can provide would be ...helpful.

Thanks

Hi Kelly,
Your mom's symptoms do not seem to fit any particular set of symptoms seen in people who have pain on the top of their feet. Generally, the pain will be worse when a person walks and not as bad at rest, this is opposite what your mother is experiencing.
Secondly, although you mention ice helps, I find it odd that heat makes it worse.
What your mother really needs is a full work up by a foot specialist to rule out an orthopedic problem, or perhaps a circulatory problem. I wish I could be more help, but not being able to examine her makes a diagnosis, in this instance, impossible.
Marc Mitnick DPM

recurring bunnion after surgery

by Liliana Villanua
(Downey,California)

Hi Dr, I had surgery on my left foot about two years age with no problems, my right foot was done about a year ago and now I'm noticing that my bunion is coming back and my toe on the right foot is going back to the way it was before. It is not as bad as before but with time if I don't do anything may get as bad.Because of insurance changes the surgery on each foot was done by different Drs with different procedures. Do any of the orthotics for bunions work? I'm 55 years old.and I don't want my foot to be as before .Is there any thing I can do with out a new surgery? Thank you.

Hi Liliana,
Unfortunately, bunion recurrence is a complication in this type of surgery as it is in most orthopedic procedures.
If neither bunion hurts than I would be reluctant to consider any further surgery right now. In fact many people have bunion surgery only to have the bunion recur, BUT, without pain and if there is no pain, then as far as I am concerned there is no need for a second surgery.
You might want to try a bunion brace like the one I advertise in my "bunion" article. Wearing it at night may go a long way to prevent further progression of your bunions.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Pain on the top of both feet...

by Robyn
(Manchester, UK)

In June this year I started having pain on the top of my right foot. It didn't go away, so after a month I went to the hospital, they did an x-ray and told me it was a ligament in my foot causing the pain. They told me to take pain-killers and that it would go away. The pain eventually went away in the right foot, but now I have the exact same pain in my left foot (but this time it hurts a lot more). It hurts especially in the mornings and when I'm walking. I don't know if it's related, but I've now started having pain up the outside of my left ankle (maybe I've been walking funny because of the foot pain).
I don't really trust the hospital's diagnosis of 'ligament pain' as I now have it in both feet.
I'm a 23 y/o female, not overweight, not diabetic. Any idea what could be the problem?
Thanks!
Hi Robyn,
It may be a ligament problem or possibly a tendonitis. Why not try the pain medication again for a short period of time, maybe 10-14 days. In addition, try a good arch support to keep your foot in proper alignment.
If that combination does not work, then you will need to go back to the hospital for an examination.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Outside, front part of foot

by Shane
(Mansfield, TX)

Doc,
I have researched many different times trying to find someone who has a similar problem to mine, but I cannot find anything exactly like my problem. I have pain that is sometimes severe on the outside of my foot, toward the front where the pinky toe adjoins the foot. The "point" on the outside seems to have a free floating, spherical object that absolutely KILLS me when I wear shoes that might be a bit too tight. It almost sounds like a corn, but it doesn't look like a corn. My foot does not appear to have any swelling or anything, but it is extremely painful. It gets sore and stays that way for weeks. I am a football coach, so I am on my feet a lot and I need some help! Have you dealt with anything like this?

Hi Shane,
If I have the exact location correct, the free floating spherical object you refer to may be either a inflamed bursal sac or possibly a ganglion cyst. If the object appears to be part of the skin then I would think along the lines of a porokeratosis or plugged sweat gland which would not be a corn but might appear as a distant cousin to a corn.
All three possibilities are readily treatable by a podiatrist. Your only option is to try and wear wider shoes which may end up causing other foot issues, but if that does not work, I would suggest you see the advice of a local podiatrist.
Marc Mitnick DPM
Find a Podiatrist Near You

Cold feet

by Shelley
(Arkansas)

My feet are always cold, year round, they have been this way for as long as I can remember. Its 100 degrees outside and my feet are cold! A few years ago I had an ultrasound done to check the vein in my leg, which came back with no problems. There is no pain, swellen, discoloration, just my feet always seem to be cold, what could be the problem

Hi Shelley,
Obviously the first thought would be poor circulation, so if it has not already been done I would recommend having a doctor check both your arterial and venous circulation (the blood going down and the blood returning to the heart). Assuming it is normal then one might argue that you are just someone who has constantly cold feet; it is not an uncommon problem.
Sometimes it can be a sign of low thyroid, or can be seen in "nervous" individuals but more often than not, it is just your makeup.
Discuss it with your doctor just to make sure nothing else is going on.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Pain when standing on feet - diagnosed as plantar fibromatosis

My job requires me to be on my feet continuously. I have been having debilitating pain in both of my feet. I went to the doctor and he said that I have plantar fibromatosis. He then said treatment options include: (1) Surgery - This could result in additional foot problems or return of the tumors (2) Verapamil - This is not guaranteed to work and it could cause arrhythmias. I would like to start by trying the Verapamil because it is not invasive and has no permanent side effects. It is, however, quite expensive. I have been trying, without success, to find information from people who have actually used the Verapamil. Do you know if there is any data available on use of this drug for my problem? What would you recommend?

Hi,
To the best of my knowledge, the Verapamil is made by a compounding pharmacy in Texas (I think) and as far as I know they are the only ones who are doing it.
I know is it expensive and I am not quite sure how effective it is.
Some of your other options (and I agree with your doctor about the surgical complications) would include cortisone injection(s) which may shrink the size of the growth and the use of orthotics which are cutout in the area of the "lump" to take pressure off of it.
Both those suggestions are both very conservative approaches to the problem.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Feet problem

by Ebony
(Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)

Everytime I exercise for a long time (it changes, it can either be over half an hour, 2 hours or longer) i always experience a pain underneath my foot, starting from the top of the bottom of my foot and running to the end. this never used to happen when i exercised for a long time, but after a year i started to feel these pains. The pain usually goes away after a period of time, but when i start running again, after about 20 minutes the pain comes back. If I'm walking around in shoes that have a damaged sole the exact same thing happens as well.
This is frustrating as I am trying to lose weight (trying to reach 48 kilos while im at 58). Is there a name for this, and is there any way to prevent it the next time im exercising?

Hi Ebony,
Unfortunately, your description of your pain is confusing to me, but I will tell you this: if the pain only occurs while exercising and then goes away, the first thing I would look at would be your athletic shoes. If they are old or perhaps not the right type for your foot structure then you would get pain while exercising.
You need to have an expert in athletic shoes fit you for the proper shoe. That would be the first place I would start in an effort to alleviate your pain.
Marc Mitnick DPM