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The response to the question below was authored by Marc Mitnick DPM

Chronic foot pain from previous fracture

by Stacey
(Missouri )

I broke my foot about 4 years ago along with my middle toe. Recently my foot started to hurt. Now it is every night, keeping me awake, aspirin, tylenol or ib does not help. The pain starts in my foot them my leg will hurt to my knee ( my ankle was not injured but it pops if I rotate my foot trying to work out the pain) I get severe charley-horses and muscle spasms in the foot that are extremely painful. I cannot bend my toes because of the one I broke (finger toes and they all have to bend at the same time and ever since j broke it I can't bend the middle toe) the spasms are so strong they will bend my toes down and it won't stop even if I try to stand on it. The spasms last about 20 minutes but the pain after it stops is unbearable.

RESPONSE
Hi Stacey,

One might think that the previous fracture of your foot might have something to do with your new onset of pain, but unless you re-injured that spot, your fracture was four years ago and I am making the assumption that the foot was fine up until recently.
Unfortunately, I know nothing about you, including your age, your weight,your occupation,pertinent medical history, etc.
The muscles spasms you mention may be due to overuse of your leg muscles from things like a new exercise program, having to do a lot of walking all of a sudden, where you normally are more sedentary, wearing flimsy shoes, things like that.
The spasms might also be from medication like cholesterol medication if you take that type of medication.
Other factors to consider as a cause for your muscles spasms may also include lack of blood down to the foot or perhaps even a neurological issue.
As you can see, without the luxury of being able to do a history and physical I am only grasping at straws here.
I would suggest you make an appointment with a foot specialist who will be able to do a thorough work up and determine the source of your discomfort.
Your symptoms may turn out to arise from a simple problem or may be a sign of a more disconcerting issue.

Marc Mitnick DPM
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Mayo Clinic

Johns Hopkins Medicine

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Arthritis Foundation

University of Rochester Medical Center

Harvard Health

Drugs.com

American Academy of Pediatrics

Penn State Medical Center

National Institutes of Health

Columbia University Department of Rehabilitation

ScienceDirect

Stanford Health Care

Illinois Bone and Joint Institute

Mount Sinai Hospital

Institute for Chronic Pain

University of Florida Health

American Family Physician

Cedars-Sinai

University of Maryland Medical Center

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Poland

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New Jersey

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Evansville, IA

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San Diego, CA

Dr. Mitnick, Just want to say thank you so very much for your quick response and very informative reply! After reading what you had to say, I called the doctor's office and was able to get in and see him the same day as my injury. Toe was x-rayed and luckily, it is not broken or fractured. Very badly bruised and will probably lose the toe nail. And although my toe and toe nail are still very black and blue and very sore, they ARE both starting to feel a little better. So again, thank you! I am so very happy that I came across your website. The service you provide is outstanding and immeasurable!

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Albany, NY

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Whichita, KS

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Colorado

Wonderful advice

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This is the best site for foot problem info.

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location unknown

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Wisconsin

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North Carolina

Many Thanks Dr Marc!
Thank you for your response. It sounds like a good plan to me. He did not cut the wart out first ...

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location unknown

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Florida

Dear Dr. Mitnick, Thank you so very much for taking your time to answer my question. You have greatly relieved my anxiety related to the continual tingly I feel in my feet. I will share your response with my podiatrist next week. God bless you for having this question and answer page on your website! Most gratefully,

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a mom

location unknown

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Bellevue, WA

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location unknown

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