cronic pain pins and needle feeling lumps on the bottom of my feet

by John
(Williamstown New Jersey)

I believe this all started last year when i was in a work related accident i feel comming out of the gravitron amusement ride where i work at i twisted my ankle really bad i had a brace put on but i still continued to work. Now when we stay away a some of our locations we stay in bunk houses and they have showers, that everyone uses. Well i always use shower shoes in those showers, This all started to happen towards the end of the carnival season, My feet feel like there on fire i get lumps some times not all the times on the bottom of my feet it feels like pins and needles are constantly going threw my feet,also while sleeping it hurts the worst at night time. Its really also hurts to walk on my feet any more. Now i always wore the same sneekers while working running rides and takeing them down also putting them back up, to the point were these sneekers would eventually get holes in them. I mean we still tear the rides down in the rain and set them up also in the rain unless the weather in really really bad then we go home. Now the show that i work on we dont stay on the road like the big carnival shows the show i belong to we go home each and every night of the week unless we are to far to travel then we stary the the location.Please i am in so much pain and our season will be starting back up the middle of march what can i do to solve this problem please help me out thank you very much.

Hi John,
Unfortunately I cannot help you but since this pain has been around for so long and is so severe you really should be seen by a podiatrist. I do not think it is going to resolve itself, especially in an individual who makes his living working on his feet.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Foot is Numb/Tingling

by Allison
(USA, NJ)

About a month ago I purchased new running sneakers. That same week I got shin splints after I ran(I think...pain in my shins). I iced them for 3 days and it went away. That Saturday I tripped and fell. I might have landed on my left foot/leg, but I don't remember. The next Sunday I went running with my new sneakers and ran 2mi straight. I've been running for over 4 years, but I actually ran on pavement and on the grass/dirt a bit. I usually run at the local high school on the track, because the surface is better on my feet and knees.

That same Sunday, I started to expierence a tingling sensation in my left big toe. I iced it and it felt a little better. THe next day I noticed a yellowish discoloration on my top of my left foot, near the big toe. I noticed when I touched it, I felt the sensation in my big toe. I iced it for the next couple of days, but the tingling turned into a numbing sensation and is now affecting basically my whole left foot. I have iced it and used a heating pad with little relief. It's been a little over 2 weeks and I've never had this problem before.

I am little nervous. I am trying to get in to see a doctor, but don't have health insurance & so I am waiting to get an appt at a clinic for middle of August!

Please help!!

Hi Allison,
It sounds as if you may have done some damage to the local nerve in the area of the big toe, which would explain the local numbness, but if your whole foot is beginning to get numb you need to look elsewhere.
There are a number of places to look. Tarsal tunnel and shin splints would be two areas I would look into. At the bottom of the shin splints page read about anterior compartment syndrome. Since you state that you fell and also hurt your leg, this is a condition that needs to be ruled out. I would suggest you make an immediate appointment with a doctor just to make sure you do not have this condition, it can have serious consequences. Any of the other possibilities for numbness in your foot are more readily manageable.
Marc Mitnick DPM

numbness & Blue Discoloration on left foot... Numbness up my left leg

by Mark
(Miami)

Three weeks ago I started getting numbness & Blue Discoloration on left foot... And the numbness travels up my left leg. This mainly happens when I am sitting.

Hi Mark,
I have no idea how old you are or the extent of any medical problems that you suffer from, but based on your symptoms you need to see a doctor right away. Your symptoms are suggestive of a circulatory blockage and only a visit to a doctor will confirm that. Do not put it off.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Tinglling and numbness in both feet up to the ankles.. The toes are red in the morning when I get out of bed, and turn blue when I walk.

by Betty Hgeorges
(Chicago, Illinois)

I am a senior female. I am not a diabetic. My cholesterol levels are normal,and my blood pressure is normal. No heart problem, but I have some emphysema,even though I quit smoking 16 years ago.

I had two tests: The first was a Doppler ultrasound, and the second was a CT scan with dye. I visited a Vascular Surgeon who told me I had plaque bulidup in my toes, and hardening of the arteries in my lower legs. The circulation in my full legs is good. It is poor from the forefoot to the toes.

He prescribed 100mg Neurontin to be taken three times a day for tingling and numbness in the toes. Other than that, he said there is nothing he can do for me.

NOTHING!

I find this unacceptable, and feel that I should seek a second opinion.


What do you think?

Hi Betty,

Neurontin is for neuropathy not poor circulation into the toes. I am in complete agreement with you; see another vascular surgeon. There are medications designed for poor circulation plus you may be a candidate for minimally invasive procedures to improve your circulation.
Do not wait on this.
Good luck.
Marc Mitnick DPM

NUMBNESS

by BREAD
(SC)

I HAVE NOTICED ON THE TOP OF MY RIGHT FOOT THE BIG TOE GOES NUMB AND A TINGLE SHOOTS THROUGH THE TOE WHEN I BARLEY RUB MY FINGER OVER THE TOP OF IT. WHAT COULD BE CAUSING THIS?

Hi,
When you rub the top of your foot in a certain area, probably at the top of the arch you are hitting the superficial nerve that gives you sensation in your big toe. Read my section on "midtarsal fault", it will further explain the nerve sensation.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Mortons Neuroma

by Tracy
(Calgary Alberta Canada)

I had three neuromas removed from my right foot June 2008. The pain has gradually gotten worse. I saw my doctor last week who gave me a cortizone shot, which has made it even worse. I can not put weight on it and it burns, stings and throbs. Do you know what is wrong? If so, what can be done? Thank you

Hi Tracy,
More than likely you have what is known as a stump neuroma, which means not all of the entrapped nerve was originally removed. This is a somewhat common problem.
See if your doctor gives denatured alcohol injections, they are usually better for this type of problem than cortisone injections.
Additionally I would recommend and MRI with contrast to make sure there is not some other problem going on in that part of your foot.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Hammertoes/Capsulitis

Hello Dr. Mitnick,

I was wondering if you could explain HOW hammertoes stretch the ligament. Which ligament is it? This is in reference to capsulitis of the foot and how hammertoes play a role.

Thank you!

Hi,
In an ideal situation toes should lie flat (when standing). If you have a rigid hammertoe, the toe will not be flat but will be bent at the middle part of the toe. This results in the back part of the toe being bent upwards relative to the metatarsal bone (which is the bone behind the toe). Since the back part of the toe is bent upwards it "stretches" the capsular ligament on the bottom. (the capsular ligament is a ligament that surrounds the whole joint). For a good visual of this, see my hammertoe page and go down towards the bottom where I have a short video of a hammertoe operation. DO NOT play the video but instead look how the bones line up; you can clearly see how the bottom of the capsular ligament would be stretched and could cause a capsulitis.
I hope I was clear in my explanation.
Marc Mitnick DPM

burning and numbness left foot

by kate
(lebanon, tn)

On 1/31 I fractured the fifth metatarsal in my left foot. After five months, the fracture didn't heal. On 7/2 another orthopedic surgeon did surgery to put a metal plate and pins in my foot. I am experiencing burning on the bottom of my foot, numbness where the plate and pins were put in the foot and tingling up the calf of my leg. Why am I having these problems?

Hi Kate,
Without seeing x-rays of where and how the hardware is placed in your foot, I cannot really help you, BUT, these are questions that you should insist your orthopedic surgeon answers.
The good news is that if need be, at some point in time, the hardware can be removed.
Marc Mitnick DPM

numbness and tingling in the feet

by Joy
(Springfield, MO, USA)

One week ago I raced barefoot on a concrete road for about 10 seconds. Since then I have had increasing numbness and tingling in my feet, especially in my toes and front part of the bottom of my feet. It is worse after laying down and then walking on them. The numbness wears away a little bit after been walked on, but will increase if I walk for a long time. The most numbness is felt in my big toes. It's a similar sensation to having your feet fall asleep. I am a 23 year old fairly healthy female with no history of feet problems.
Thanks for any suggestions you might have!

Hi Joy,

One of two things, both a result of the jarring your body took running barefoot on concrete. One, you may have injured the nerves as they come out of the spinal column (radiculopathy) or you may have a tarsal tunnel. I am leaning more towards the first condition because you are young.
You can try some advil, aleve, etc. (assuming you can tolerate those medications) on a regular basis for 7-10 days in an effort to reduce the inflammation. If it does not go away, you should see a doctor, preferably a neurologist.
Marc Mitnick DPM

burning and tingling of toes and foot

My husband has recently (one week ago) had an open reduction internal fixation of his left lower tibia and talus fracture. Since the fracture and now more so after surgery he is experiencing severe burning and tingling of mostly his big toe down along the plantar surface of his foot to his heel. Could this be nerve damage?

Tks

Hi,
It certainly sounds like nerve irritation (not quite damage), either from the surgery or, if he is wearing a cast it may be that the cast is too tight.
This would be a situation that you would want his surgeon to be made aware of. There are things that can be done now to prevent this sensation of burning and tingling from becoming a chronic problem.
Marc Mitnick DPM

shocks in the arch of my right foot

for the past 6 months i have been getting horrible shocks in the arch of my right foot only. they are random, day and night, and some are in long spurts and other times they are short lived. a few times, they have caused a cramping in this area. so badly that i had to pull over to the side of the road while i was driving to wait to pass the pain. stomping my foot and putting pressure on this area seams to relieve the pain. please help!

Hi,
It sounds like either plantar fasciitis or idiopathic foot cramps. The fact that standing on it seems to improve it is highly suggestive of either condition.
You would be wise to see a podiatrist who can make an accurate diagnosis and then offer treatment based on the diagnosis.
Marc Mitnick DPM

heel pain / also tingly left foot

(OH)

i'm a 46 yr old male. auto tech for 25 yrs. on feet 10 hrs a day. have a healed venous ulcer for 15 yrs on left lower leg / ankle area. last year had venous ablation surgery to help swelling & pain due to incompetent valve in groin area. have had recent heel pain dor 6 months. diagnosed plantar fasciitis & heel spur left foot. recently having tingling sensation in that foot also. been using orthotic insoles for 3 months. have had physical therapy, stretching and exercising. been helping, but still pain and discomfort. doctor mentioned cortisone injection? pros and cons? other suggestions to eliminate pain? thanx

Hi,
I would think a cortisone injection (assuming there are no contraindications) would be a good option. All the bad press you hear about cortisone is from oral cortisone over a long periods of time. Cortisone injections, altho they certainly get into the blood stream, deliver small doses of cortisone to the local pain area. The rule of thumb is one injection per week for a maximum of three weeks, in a twelve month period.
Cortisone works by reducing inflammation. It is an accepted form of treatment for this type of condition.
BTW, if it is your heel that is tingling, your doctor will have to rule out a heel neuroma. See my section on heel neuroma.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Tingle on the side of my foot

by Amy
(Tennessee)

On my left foot, I have a tingling sensation on the left side of the foot. No toe tingling or pain. No under the foot tingling or pain. Just on the side. It used to come and go, but now it is persistent. I'm starting to feel it on the right foot too. I'm a runner (about 10 years now) and have changed my shoes, but it is still there and it is worse at night. It actually wakes me up now.

Hi Amy,
Sounds like a simple case of a nerve irritation to one of the superficial nerves that run in that area of the foot.
You might want to see a podiatrist who may recommend a cortisone injection in the area that is the most sensitive. If the injection works, it will calm down the nerve and the tingling will stop.
You may also want to check your running shoes or all your shoes for that matter to see if a part of the shoe is not irritating the outside of the foot.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Morton's Neuroma

by Sharon
(MA)

Had cortisone injection 2x 2 yrs. ago. Quieted down until a month ago when I irritated it by walking aprox. 1 mile in flip-flops, or at least I think that's where the problem began. Since that time, the pain is somewhat worse and different. There is pain under my foot between the 3rd and 4th toes, but there's also pain on top of the foot and hurts to press on the space between them. I also cannot move 4th toe without really intense pain. It has also kept me from falling asleep at night. That toe looks a little twisted toward the 5th toe as well. Could this just be an irritation of the neuroma or a different problem. As long as I have shoes on (no heels) it's manageable, but not in slippers and certainly not bare foot!

(Yes, Dr. appt. next week..soonest I can get in.)

Hi Sharon,
Sounds like a Morton's neuroma to me, but there are a couple of other conditions that might mimic that type of pain, such as capsulitis or perhaps another type of soft tissue growth between the third and fourth metatarsals which are putting pressure on the nerve and giving neuroma symptoms.
Hopefully, your doctor will figure it out.
Marc Mitnick DPM

tarsal tunnel

by june wilkirson
(Levine,Arizona)

for about 6 1/2 years I have had continual problems with my feet. I have had tarsal Tunnel release surgery in both feet. My left foot is doing much better than my right one. Upon along hard disscion (about 2 years) I had another surgery on removing the enlarged nerve in my right ankle. The nerve was the size of a man's little finger.My doctor told me that it was not normal for a nerve to be that large. The out come of the surgery should be numbness in the bottom of my heel to the ball of my foot. What I don't have is total numbness, in fact it is so far much more painful than it has ever been.It has been 2 months since my surgery,will it ever get any better????

Hi June,
Part of your story is not clear but I will try to answer your question.
Two months is not that long a period of time, so it is not unusual to still have pain, but what you should be noticing is a gradual reduction in pain. If that is not the case, you need to bring the matter to the attention of your doctor. The concern here would be formation of scar tissue or possibly incomplete removal of whatever was putting pressure on the nerve (incomplete release).
If your doctor does not think there is a complication with the surgery, then you might want to consider physical therapy in an effort to move things along.
If you are uncomfortable with the answers your doctor is giving you, then you might want to get a second opinion.
Marc Mitnick DPM

sporadic short-term foot numbness

Hello,
Here's one that might be of interest...and it's certainly a puzzle for my doctor, neurologist and me.
For some years now and with growing regularity, I have had brief spasms (or convulsions) of what, in symptom terms, might be described as 'footdrop'. By 'regularity' and 'brief', I mean 2 or 3 times a day (late afternoon and evening)and 10 to 15 seconds at the most.

These brief spasms, which tend to run in waves largely down the upper left half of my left foot, are accompanied by an almost complete loss of feeling in most of the side/front of my foot. This loss of feeling is temporary and normality returns almost instantly after each event. There is no pain, though there a distinct feeling of coldness running through my foot and partially up my leg for a few seconds after. Additionally, over this last year or so, I have developed the feeling of a lump behind my middle and fourth toes..there isn't an actual lump butperhaps a small area within my foot devoid of feeling....but no pain.

Three other observations: There is no obvious loss of strength in my left leg or foot despite the fact that this event has happened many hundreds of times. Secondly, there may be some relation to sleep - If I sleep well, the onset of these events is pushed back later into the day; poor sleep appears to result in the problem happening earlier. Thirdly, I have no apparent back problems.

Most conceivable tests have been carried out and nothing is obvious - or even hinted at...... and, of course, what I'm describing might just not be footdrop but merely symptoms resembling it

So, there you go. Any ideas about what to think about next would be immensely welcome.

Hi,
Your symptoms are certainly suggestive of nerve involvement and my "guess" would be either a nerve irritation coming out the spinal column, or a nerve entrapment at the head of fibula, just enough irritation to cause this temporary muscle weakness.
Additionally, the "lump" you are feeling between your third and fourth toe is highly suggestive of a Morton's neuroma even though you do not have the so called classic symptoms.
I am not so sure any neurological test would reveal the problem with your "foot drop" because it sounds like the irritation is so minor, but I do think a neurologist needs to follow this because it may be an early sign of a potential problem.
I think a good podiatrist should be able to handle your forefoot pain.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Both feet sometimes go numb while sitting or lying down

by Sabrina
(Yuba City, California)

My feet are going numb on me when I lay or sit, it is mostly my left foot. The numbing goes up to my knee on my left side sometimes.I am in no pain.I am a 39yo F, I have never had any feet trauma or back trauma other then my sciatic nerve hurting once in a while. Any Ideas?

Hi Sabrina,
Have your back examined that is where the source of your symptoms is coming from.
Marc Mitnick DPM

mortons neuroma

by Lydia
(U.K England)

I have been told by my hospital that i have mortons neuroma would you advise to have surgery and are there any complication i should be aware should i go ahead.I am worried because I have suffered with CRPS after hand operation.

Thanking You

Hi Lydia,
Two problems: one, you first need to try nonsurgical treatments for Mortons neuroma and secondly, with a history of CRPS, you should be very careful about consenting to this type of surgery, or at the very least make sure your doctor is aware of the previous conditon and takes a more aggressive approach in your post operative care.

I have had a lot of success with the denatured alcohol injections and because of that success I rarely operate on neuromas.

Marc Mitnick DPM

BOTTOM OF FOOT NUMBNESS/PAIN

by GREG
(ORANGE COUNTY, CA)

IM A 38 YEAR OLD MALE WITH DIABETIES, HAD BLOOD LEVEL SUGARS IN THE 1200'S (YES, SORRY TO SAY 1,200) AND JUST FOUND OUT I\THIS JULY. I STAND ON MY FEET FOR MY JOB 9 HOURS A DAY FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS AND NEVER NEVER HAD A FOOT PROBLEM (PAIN/NUMBNESS. AFTER FINDING OUT OF MY DIABETIES I HAVE LOST 30LBS AND NOW WEIGH 220 FROM WALKING DAILY AND CHANGING MY EATING... SHOULD FEEL FIND NOW RIGHT! NOW ABOUT A MONTH INTO THIS MY FEET HAVE BECOME VERY VERY SENSETIVE, HURTING WHEN I GET INTO BED WITH THE SHEETS TOUCHING MY FEET AND SHAOWING AND THE WATER TOUCHES THEM, I CANT EVEN STAND TO DRY MY FEET. ITS SO BAD, I SOMETIMES THINK IT WOULD BE BETTER TO GO BACK. I HAVE SEEN A NEUROLIGST AND ONLY RECIEVED PAIN PILLS...HE SAID I DO HAVE SOME NERVE DAMAGE BUT THAT I HAVE HAD IT SO LONG HE THINKS IT MIGHT BE A MATTER OF TIME. IS THIS JUST SOMETHING I HAVE TO LIVE WITH?

Hi Greg,
That is a tough question to answer. Neuropathy is one of the ramifications of uncontrolled diabetes and the more poorly controlled your blood sugars, the greater the damage to the nerves.
Having said that, keeping your blood sugars under control will lessen further damage. In addition, although there is no cure for neuropathy, there are a number of drugs out there that may go a long way to reducing your symptoms. Work with your neurologist to find one that agrees with you. If your neurologist is not inclined to try different drugs, then I would suggest you find yourself another neurologist.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Numbness in both feet & lower part of legs

by Phil
(Forestville, Maryland)

I have numbnessin both feet & legs. In addition, I have pain in my feet about two out of three days(I am taking Fentanyl 150 mcg/hr. I change every three days. Both the doctors at Johns Hopkins & the VA have told me its not repairable. The only thing they can do is increase the dosage or change me to other Meds which are very habit forming(Fentanyl is habit forming). I am being told that its is a numerious problem. I do not understand what is wrong with me. From this little bit of info, can you tell me what might be wrong with my legs & feet. Phil

Hi Phil,
Fentanyl is some heavy duty pain medication. You owe it to yourself to sit your doctor down and get a specific diagnosis. If they cannot give you a specific diagnosis then insist that they explain what they think you have in terms that you can understand.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Numb discomfort on the bottom of foot

by Catherine
(UK)

I wore a pair of (backless) kitten heels to my sister's graduation the other day and we had to do a lot of walking and standing. I was in them for about 7 hours. 3 days later I have noticed that the bottom of my right foot (the ridge just underneath my toes and also into the toes) feels slightly numb and uncomfortable and I feel like I keep wanting to wiggle my toes or move my foot so it does'nt feel like it's gone to sleep. There is no pain and it is only in my right foot. I am not sure if this area is swollen- it doesn't feel too disimilar to the other foot to touch, although 'inside' it does feel as if it is swollen. If I walk on it then it sometimes feels like my socks have bunched under my toes and I want to move them to make the area feel freer. I do a lot of running and am concerned that this will also affect this area and make it worse. I recently bought a pair of new running shoes and up until now they have been great which makes me think that it was the high heels which caused this, especially as they have no back to them and I have to use my toes to grip onto them. I virtually never wear heels and thought that these were ok as they are really quite low. Can all heels damage feet and will this get better or should I go and see my doctor?

Thanks very much!

Hi Catherine,
Read my section on Mortons neuroma. It would seem to me that you aggravated the nerve wearing those shoes for such a long period of time. It does not necessarily mean you have a true neuroma at this point, just irritation.
I would avoid running and high heels for 10-14 days, take some anti-inflammatory medication (if you can tolerate them) and see if the numbness subsides; if not you will want to see a foot specialist, because you certainly do not want this to get worse.
Marc Mitnick DPM

tingling in heel and arch and sore heel

My arch and heel tingle slightly but not constantly and my heel aches as well. When I stretch my hamstring and push my heel out (point my toes to my knee), my heel will tingle a lot more or hurt slightly. This pain is always in the same spot - right at the centre of the heel. The more I stretch out, the sharper it is.

Hi Mike,
It sounds like you have a mild case of plantar fasciitis and you may also have involvement of the the nerve that cuts into the middle of the heel; that is why you get the tingling.
It does not sound that severe but if you are very athletic, or stand all day on hard floors at work, you might want to have it checked out to avoid it getting worse.
Good luck.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Foot Numbness

by Lily
(Chicago, IL)

Hello, i am a 26 yrs old woman. Last week and a half i had a probelem with my Sciatic nerve on the right side of my body. I went to a physical therapist and to a massouse and also to my Doctor. He prescribed to me a medication called Naproxen for inflammtion of the nerve. Now thru these past days i have been able to start walking again but still limp seeing that I am getting better. My leg does not hurt anymore nor does my lower back. One thing that still persist is that I still have some numbness around my right foot on the right side. from my pinkie toe to the whole right side to my heel. Now i have put ice on it and warm water and i started to compress my foot. But i still get the numbness. What more may i do to heal this faster. Im still on my medication for another week but everything else seems to get better except my foot. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do.

Hi Lily,
The numbness in your foot is probably the last remnant of your sciatica pain. I would continue doing what you are doing and would continue with the Naproxen for another 10-14 days. If you are still having pain, then another doctor's appointment would be indicated.
Marc Mitnick DPM

toes, feet going numb

Worked out on the eliptical 2 days ago, both feet went numb. Woke up this morning and started doing yoga- middle 3 toes on right foot went numb and left big toe, could not concentrate to stay balanced and had to stop. I'm a dental hygienist and have back problems on the right side, is this the reason?

Hi,
I do not know if your back is the source of the problem but that would be the first place I would look. If the back checks out you may want to look into tarsal tunnel or even a nerve entrapment at the head of fibula bone which would be the equivalent to the outside area of your knee.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Foot is Numb/Tingling

by Allison
(NJ, USA)

Hi Dr. Marc,

Thank you so much for responding to my question. I am in the process of going to see a doctor, but I don't have health insurance, so it's a bit of a pain. But I've kept off the foot (not biking or running for 2+ weeks) and I've been rubbing it the past two nights & the pain is subsiding. I hope it isn't anything too serious, but I was told when fitted for running sneakers that I do pronate when I run. So after (if) I get clearance from the doctor, I will def being using orthotics on top of the good running sneakers.

Thanks again!

Good luck, Allison

Extreme burning pain in second toe of my left foot, the more I walk the more it hurts. I have to quit walking to relieve it...

by Christa Hill
(Clewiston Florida)

I have been experiencing extreme pain in the second toe of my left foot. It started a week ago and it is occuring more and more. The top of my foot from my third toe to my pinky toe is sore and stays sore,no too bad. I have had two surgeries on my ankle, first surgery was to repair a pb tendon and the second was to repair the same ankle for fractures. I have a screw and a plate to hold the tendon in place. The tendon would flip over the bone before the surgery.

Hi Christa,
The most common cause of pain in the area of the foot you describe is usually due to tendonitis. Whether or not it has any relationship to the surgeries you have had is difficult to say.
If the surgeries have changed the way you walk then there might be a connection.
I would recommend seeing a podiatrist who should be able to figure this all out.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Nerve like pain in second tow

by Monika
(Carmel, NY)

Hi Dr.,

I have a pain and it feels like something is twisted when I try to stretch my toes or point them. Sometimes is between the first and second towards the the second one mostly. And it feels like a twisted legament. It's not a constant pain, just when I point or stretch my toes. After the sharp pain, it feels like it's getting numb and then it goes away after awhile. It's been like this for two weeks, but the past two days more intense.

Thank you,

Hi Monika,
Although the toe going numb is suggestive of a nerve irritation your problem sounds more like capsulitis, which is a ligament irritation that occurs in the part of the foot you described.
You can give a few days wearing the shoes that make it the most comfortable, along with anti-inflammatory medication (if you can tolerate such medications) and it may go away. If not, or if it appears to be worsening, I would see a podiatrist.
Marc Mitnick DPM