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

Pain on the bottom of my big toe

When I stand in one place or walk it feels like i'm stepping on a rock, but deep beneath the skin of my toe. It burns and hurts real bad when touched or pressed and feels like something is in my to but towards the bottom. It looks like a slightly dard dot in the middle of the callus but with a a small dimple. Only that spot is sensitive. No other part of the callus on the toe is, just that dot. I had a doctor shave the surface of the callus and do an x-ray but came up with nothing. When the skin grew back a formed back. Sometimes a sharp pain will shoot through for no apparent reason.

Hi,
Two things that may cause a callus to form underneath the big toe include, one, a lack of motion in the big toe joint, meaning when walking the big toe does not bend upwards enough, thus putting a lot of pressure on the bottom of the toe.
Two, a cartilaginous growth on the bottom of the big toe at the level of the joint, and this bone will create excessive pressure on the bottom of the toe.
It is important for your doctor to find the cause of the problem because that is the only way you will ultimately get rid of the problem.
Scraping the callus may give you temporary relief but in most cases it is not a permanent solution.
Marc Mitnick DPM

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Apr 06, 2013
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Big Toe Pain Feels Like Splinter
by: Anonymous

I went tot he bathroom in the middle of the night a few nights ago. About halfway there, it felt like I got a splinter in the bottom of my big toe. I searched my sock -- nothing. I looked at my big toe--nothing. It's been a few days now, and it's still bothering me, but it comes and goes. Sometimes it causes me to limp; the next minute I'm fine. Any idea what this is and what I need to do about it? It's obviously not a splinter.

Hi,
Assuming the area that hurts is not red or swollen, does not hurt when you press on it, and the skin appears the same as elsewhere on the toe, you may have a neuritis or inflammation of a nerve ending in your toe.
This happens from time to time in patients that I see. It was probably just coincidental that it happened in the middle of the night.
I would suggest you keep checking the area for signs of inflammation or even foreign body (splinter).
Most times this problem is self limiting and will subside, but if it is still present after lets say 10-14 days, you might want to consult with a doctor and have he or she look at the toe.

Marc Mitnick DPM

Feb 02, 2012
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I got rid of my planters wart!
by: Anonymous

Your story sounds just like mine. I finally went to the dr. and he said... you have a planters wart. I used a curled tip nail clippers (i think it is used to clip cuticles)to get rid of the dot and then used compound w to freeze the wart and then i cut a round piece of duck tape (original kind the others my dr. said don't work) to cover the wart completely and then on top of that I put a retangular piece of duck tape to cover a larger area. duck tape on for 6 days (try not to get wet)then use clippers (clean of course) to clip away more skin and repeat till gone. Sorry but this may take 3 or more weeks,but IT WORKED!

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ADDITIONAL REFERENCES

Mayo Clinic

Johns Hopkins Medicine

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Arthritis Foundation

University of Rochester Medical Center

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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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(location unknown)

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Unknown location

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Unknown location

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South Carolina

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location unknown

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location unknown

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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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.

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location unknown

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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!

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

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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.

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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

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Canada

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Wisconsin

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

Julie

location unknown

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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

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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

Pain on the bottom of my big toe

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