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

Pain on Top of Foot

by Steve
(Redondo Beach, CA)

I have a big concern. I’m really worried that I am wearing out my feet and will have to stop playing basketball, which is a great passion of mine. I'm 50 years old and in good physical shape. I exercise twice a week and play full court basketball twice a week. I wear well fitted court shoes and take all of the recommended soft tissue supplements.

I have injured the top interior area of my left foot where the big toe bends to jump or to do an exercise such as a pushup. This is the same injury that I have had twice on the right foot in the past few months. As with those injuries, there was no specific event that precipitated it. I felt a slight twinge after working out on Friday, felt it getting a little sore while walking that night and then woke up Saturday morning unable to walk.

I have it wrapped, am icing regularly and am now taking ibuprofen. It is still killing me five days later!

I previously went to a podiatrist for the previous right foot injury and he misdiagnosed it as gout (after blood tests tec). I have kept the low uric acid diet in mind. I keep a strict record of my intakes and exercise and it doesn’t seem to be diet-based. Is this tendinitis?

I'm really concerned and would appreciate your comments.

Thanks

Hi Steve,
I would be very curious as to the condition of the big toe joint as seen on x-ray. In your age range there is a very good chance that you either have a fair amount of arthritis in the joint which is aggravated when your athletic or there is a ligament problem in the joint from over-stretching of the joint.
My best advice, go see a different podiatrist.
Marc Mitnick DPM

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Mar 02, 2009
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Thanks for the response
by: Steve

You hit it on the head. I did have both feet x-rayed and I do have arthritis in both big toe joints. The podiatrist is still sticking with the gout diagnosis despite the fact that my uric acid levels have been at 6 or lower every time he has tested me. He refuses to accept that this is anything else but gout and that is what worries me. He has given me cortisone injections in both feet now, and the pain has subsided quite a bit. But he has not given me any recommendations for supplements, exercises or anything that might help me stay in the game/gym. I am going to look for another podiatrist.

Hi Steve,
Good idea looking for another podiatrist. Gout is a self limiting condition meaning it will last for a few days up to a week and then ends, only to erupt later on down the road. Additionally, most uric levels are normal during a gout attack so that is not a good indicator. You may want to look at the acidity in your urine for some clues.

Hopefully your next podiatrist will be able to help you.

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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Orthotics for multiple types of foot pain best buy in a pre-made orthotic click link below

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(location unknown)

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(location unknown)

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Thanks for the Response, you hit it on the head.

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Redondo Beach, CA

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LH

(location unknown)

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(location unknown)

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(location unknown)

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Madison, Alabama

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Regards,

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South Africa

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Mansfield Ctr, CT

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Steve

Placentia, California

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Unknown

Unknown location

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Unknown location

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Pacific Grove, CA

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Anonymous

Hi. I come to your site often looking for information. It is really informative and I appreciate it very much. I have RA and have been having considerable amount of foot pain...... Dee RN

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New Zealand

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Sincerely

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Arizona

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Thanks, Kathy

Florida

1st of all THANKS A LOT for your great site......

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Poland

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M P

South Carolina

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unknown location

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San Clemente, CA

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Pam

location unknown

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Glen

location unknown

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Bre

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!

anonymous

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Poland

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Seattle, WA

I just wanted to say that I am very greatful for this website!!

Bonnie

location unknown

Also, and importantly, just want to praise this web site. Thorough and thoughtfully presented, it certainly must be of considerable assistance to anyone with a foot problem. Terrific -- and very interesting.I trust the address comes up easily for those seeking information.

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

Wow, that is exactly the information needed!!! thank you thank you thank you!!! I appreciate this help so very much from Marc Mitnick DPM. Excellent information and help to improve One's life.

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!

Tracy

Evansville, IA

Dear Marc

I just want to say thank you for the quick response and the good info. I find it amazing and a super nice thing that you do here by answering medical questions at no charge.

Russ W.

location unknown

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-Sunny.

location unknown

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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

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Jackie

Whichita, KS

thanks again, this site is very helpful.

mark

Boston, MA

Like others have stated...This site is amazing and I am so thankful that it was created.

....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

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Nancie

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

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

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