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

Extreme burning when walking at base of second right toe and up side of same toe

by ema
(waco)

i woke up during the night as usual, and when i went to get out of the bed, beginning with my first step, i had an extreme burning at the base of my second toe, between and first big toe and second toe. now i can only walk on the outer edge of the right foot. every time i try to walk normally, the extreme pulling/burning happens.

i did wear heels yesterday to a girl's luncheon, but they are some that i have worn frequently and have never caused me a problem.

i also jogged a little yesterday evening with my dog, but i wore the appropriate running shoes.

what is going on NOW with my 45 y/o body that i would like to think is STILL very young?

RESPONSE

Hi Ema,

My first thought would be capsulitis which is an inflammation of the ligament that surrounds the joint where the second toe lines up with the second metatarsal bone. Quite often when wearing heels, this ligament will become inflamed and painful.
My other thought would be that of a stress fracture, which is a broken bone that may occur in spite of no trauma. Just the act of walking particularly if your heels have a very thin sole, which most women's dress shoes have, can cause the metatarsal bone to fracture.
Additionally, you would have to consider a sesamoiditis. Located under the first metatarsal bone, just behind the big toe are two bones that are about the size of jelly beans.
Since they lie underneath the first metatarsal bone, they are subject to excess pressure when a person walks. This pressure will be worsened by wearing high heels which further drives the sesamoid bone into the walking surface.
Since you mention you pain seems to be between the first and second toe, this is where a sesamoiditis would occur.
Lastly, you would also have to consider a submetatarsal bursitis. This is a bursal sac that is lying in the area and becomes inflamed, again, from the pressure of walking, particularly in high heels with thin soles.
So, as you can see your pain could be the result of different problems.
If you can tolerate anti-inflammatory medication like Aleve or Motrin, you could try that for a couple of days along with wearing shoes that have a cushioned bottom, like sneakers, or at the very least, avoid heels with thin soles.
If this regimen does not seem to improve your situation, then I would suggest you see a foot specialist who will be able to give you a definite diagnosis and thus treat the problem accordingly.

Marc Mitnick DPM
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ADDITIONAL REFERENCES

Mayo Clinic

Johns Hopkins Medicine

MedlinePlus

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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Extreme burning when walking at base of second right toe and up side of same toe

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