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

Foot very sore almost painful I have a high tolerance for pain but this is really bothering me

I am a very active women and in great shape was on my way to do a power walk when earlier (I think this may have been the time i hurt it though I didn't feel anything at the time only an hour later) Earlier i pushed a glass door open with my foot because my hands were full my right foot started to get sore by the time I got to my car to go for the walk it was very sore needless to say I drove home. I thought maybe I bruised it so I soaked my foot in Epsom salt (like to go the natural route before trying any over the counter pills) it is somewhat swollen and really bothers me but I figure if I can bend the foot i probably did not break anything. Will take some Alieve (which I had to borrow from my landlord since the only thing in my cabinet is aspirin) before I go to bed hoping it will be better in the morning . Any clue as to what I did? Thanks for your time! Nancy

RESPONSE

Hi Nancy,

The problem with your narrative is you spent too much time telling me how the injury happened and virtually no time telling me where it hurts on your foot, or even if the soaking and Aleve helped.
So, I am kind of working blind here.
I will make the assumption that you had shoes on when you pushed the glass door open. Although, you do not mention it, I will assume the door did not slam on your foot. So, basically, I am assuming pushing the door open with your foot is something you have

done countless other times, but this time the foot started to hurt.
Because of this scenario the possibility of you having broken a bone are remote. The only way I could have seen that happening would be if you had been barefoot or if the door slammed on your foot and you do not mention either.
That leaves us with some time of soft tissue damage, soft tissue being anything but bone. If this is the case, then either you strained a tendon or you damaged a ligament. A ligament is small leather like structure that binds to bones together so that the bones basically stay in place.
Is the foot red or swollen in the area that hurts? Redness and swelling is a general indicator of the extent of damage you did to yourself. If the area is not terribly red or swollen then that could be taken as a good sign.
Does the foot hurt only when you walk or does it hurt even when seated? I would be concerned if it hurts even when seated.
Since I cannot imagine you creating enough force to tear a ligament or tendon just by pushing open a glass door, I will make the assumption that it is just a strain.
My suggestion would be to continue with the Aleve and warm soaks, perhaps even wrapping the foot for a couple of days. If this is indeed just a strain, then it should begin to improve in a few days. Obviously avoid the power walks as well.
If your problem does not improve substantially over the next couple of days, then it will be time to make an appointment with a foot specialist.

Marc Mitnick DPM
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Comments for Foot very sore almost painful I have a high tolerance for pain but this is really bothering me

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Mar 17, 2012
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Sharp pain in third toe, whole foot and leg hurt can't do anything
by: Christy

So happy to find your site and hope you can help me. I had been having a lot of pain in my right foot , leg, knee and groin. I went to a ton of doctors and was finally told I had Morton's Neuroma. I thought finally my problems were solved. I had a series of 3 injections which just kept making the pain worse and worse. After the 3rd injection the pain became unbearable. This was two months ago, before I could walk and the pain would build after a couple of hours. Now just standing is hard, even when laying down I have a sharp stabbing nerve pain in my third toe which sometimes sends a pain up to my knee. If I sit my foot turns purple and swollen, my big toe and small toe turn bright red.My foot is icy cold. Now my toes on my left foot are turning purple and get cold as well. When I lay and put my foot up the normal color returns. My doctors don't seem to have any answers. Please help, I am really worried

RESPONSE

Hi Christy,

Based on your narrative, as someone looking in from the outside, my first concern would be compromise of your circulation. Have you seen a vascular specialist? If not I would get to one right away and give he or she the same description of your symptoms that you have giving me.
Your symptoms are very suggestive of an arterial embolism. (keep in mind, I am just guessing as I obviously cannot examine you, nor do I know anything about your medical history).
Anytime a foot and leg becomes colder and turns various colors, the first thing that has to be assessed is your circulation.
Typically neuromas will not cause the leg to hurt even though neuroma pain can travel upwards somewhat. They certainly will not cause the foot to get cold nor change the color of your foot and leg.
The fact that you got absolutely no relief from the injections would also lead me to believe that you do not have a neuroma.
See a vascular specialist immediately and even if I am wrong, at least you have ruled out a potentially dangerous situation.

Marc Mitnick DPM
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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

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(location unknown)

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(location unknown)

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Unknown location

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Poland

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Bre

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Dr. Mitnick, Thank you so much for your reply. I did let my physician know and they took an x-ray - all is well! Also, thank you for providing this wonderful site, it is very helpful with lots of useful information! I appreciate your gift of time! God bless.

anonymous

Dr. Mitnick, Thank you, you were 100% correct. The pain finally brought me to the ER. I spent 8 days in the hospital. The Doppler you spoke of was able to show that there was no pulse in that foot. This was an arterial clot that split and traveled throughout my leg. My leg was almost amputated. I am in rough shape but have all my parts intact!! You certainly know what you are talking about. Thank you for taking the time to answer. Yours Truly!

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Poland

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Seattle, WA

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location unknown

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Bill

New Jersey

Thanks so much for answering my question. You've been more help to me than my own Dr. has been lately. Thanks again....I hope to be able to walk without pain someday.

Debbie

location unknown

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Chrissy

location unknown

Thanks so much for this website Dr. Marc! It is so nice that you have this ask the doctor feature..I'm sure I'ts been helpful for alot of people. I will try what you suggested and see if it helps...thanks again!

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Evansville, IA

Dear Marc

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Jackie

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!

Rivi,

Albany, NY

Thank you so much for all of your advice. In searching the web for people dealing with this same issue i can tell you that you are a Knight In shining Armor! If I lived in Jersey I would gladly be your Spokesperson. Hopefully next time you hear from me it will be good news. God Bless,

Jill S.

location unknown

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND EFFORTS, YOU ARE SO VERY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.

Jackie

Whichita, KS

thanks again, this site is very helpful.

mark

Boston, MA

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....Keep up what your doing. Your a life saver.

Michelle

Colorado

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annielou

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

Again, I really appreciate that you responded to my inquiry, and that your mention of Parkinson's helped me to find my way to a diagnosis of this difficult to diagnose disease. Most patients see on average 16 doctors before they are diagnosed. I hope that you can help other people that ask for your expertise in the future.

Barb D.

Canada

I just wanted to say that I am very greatful for this website!! I have had a fusion in my rt foot and am finally getting a little bit better......

Bonnie

location unknown

Again, Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to answer my question....your an angel!

Nancie

Wisconsin

Thank you for your response. You have provided some great insight (to my question)....

Julie

location unknown

Thank-you so very much for responding so quickly and in such detail to my question!! I will give my surgeon a call today!! This website is terrific!!!! Thank-you again!

Renae

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.

Bessie Mae

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

Your webpage is excellent, I commend you on sharing your knowledge to the public.

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

I have read your website and I have to admit that I am amazed at all the information that is on here. I have learned more than the three years I have been going to several doctors that I have seen!!

Melody

Lenoir, NC

Thank you so much Doc for a quick and thorough response!

Rustam

Bellevue, WA

I cannot thank you enough for your response, opinion, and suggestions! I want you to know how much it means to me, and I'm sure everyone else who has ever asked you a question! I feel like you're a lifesaver and have empowered me to take a stronger role and stand up for myself and my feet!

Jodi

location unknown

Foot very sore almost painful I have a high tolerance for pain but this is really bothering me

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