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

Foot Trauma

by Jane
(Miramichi New Brunswick Canada )

I stepped the wrong way on my foot and put all my weight on the top of my foot by my toes. I felt a pop didn't think much of it walked on it. I had some pain but thought nothing of it for about 3 weeks then all of a sudden the pain and swelling was bad I was told not to walk on it for two weeks so did but still swollen after that the swelling was on top and there a bump on the bottom of my foot close to my toes. I been in a walking cast since October and now the lump and swelling are still there along with the pain by the side bone where my baby toe is there is no broken bones so just looking for any help

RESPONSE

Hi Jane,

Can I ask the obvious question? Have you seen a doctor? I ask because you say you were told to stay off of it and now you are wearing a walking cast.

I assume a doctor prescribed the boot, but in this era, you can buy walking boots online, so I am not clear where you got your advice from.

If you have seen a doctor, I would think he or she would have sought out answers for the swelling on the top of your foot and the lump on the bottom of the foot.

Feeling a "pop" is never a good sign and it is usually a sign of a tendon tear, or possibly a torn ligament.

The fact that you have been walking around in the cast since October, or for over four months, and you have made no improvement, is not a good sign either.

I have no idea how old you are or any knowledge about your overall health, but for most people four months in a walking boot would "fix" most simple trauma to the foot.

If you came walking into my office tomorrow, based on your narrative, the first thing I would do is order an MRI. If that is a problem getting one quickly in Canada, then at the very least you should have an x-ray and an ultrasound.

The x-ray would reveal any fracture that you may have sustained in the time from the initial trauma, to the point the foot really began to hurt, and the ultrasound would be helpful in determining if there was any damage to the tendons and muscles in the area of pain. It may also give some insight into the lump on the bottom of your foot.

Until you actually know what was actually damaged and to what extent in your foot, it is difficult to institute proper treatment.

If it turns out there is no fracture, but just soft tissue damage then along with the walking cast, you might want to ask your doctor about ordering some physical therapy.

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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(location unknown)

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Unknown location

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New Zealand

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Poland

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location unknown

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Bre

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anonymous

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Seattle, WA

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location unknown

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New Jersey

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location unknown

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Evansville, IA

Dear Marc

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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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location unknown

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Whichita, KS

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Boston, MA

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Colorado

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Colorado

Wonderful advice

by: Anonymous

This is the best site for foot problem info.

Thank you for this information. This description fits my pain and inflammation behind my 2nd toe perfectly.

by: Max

location unknown

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Canada

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location unknown

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Wisconsin

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location unknown

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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 ...

KG

location unknown

Thanks again doc for having this website and we STILL need qualified Podiatrists in beautiful sunny Tampa Bay (Bradenton) Florida.

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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,

Lynne T.

location unknown

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Robert

New Jersey

Thank you. you were more detailed than what others have told me they finally called from the last xrays and my son is now in a cast for 2 weeks he did have a fracture that was not noticeable.

a mom

location unknown

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Lenoir, NC

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Bellevue, WA

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Jodi

location unknown

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