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

severe burning pain real swollen and red hammertoe not like usual

by matt
(St Louis Missouri)

cellulitis second toe

I was diagnosed with hammertoe 2 years ago seen the doctor about 5 times, 5 co-pays, is getting ridiculous, gave me an MRI gave me antibiotics told me they can't do nothing about it so now I've lost my job. I was laid off month ago and it always swells up all the time, it's red and I have a little hole in it and won't heal and for some reason today is worse than other really swollen and it hurts real bad iced it 3 times tonite

RESPONSE

Hi Matt,
There are too many questions that I have for you, regarding your toe and unfortunately you have supplied me with too little information.

Simply put, when someone walks into my office with a red swollen toe, with a hole in it, the first thing I think of is infection. If that is the case then the advice the doctor gave you is ridiculous. Infections can be cured one way or the other.

In very simple terms, you cannot walk around with an infection. Rarely do infections go away on their own.

I wish I knew more about you such as are you a smoker, are you diabetic, what kind of shoes do you wear on a daily basis, are you overweight? Were you treated by a family doctor or a podiatrist?

I would have also liked to know when you had your MRI and what were the results.

Now to further complicate matters, if the first time you toe was red and swollen and if there was no hole in the toe, there is a distinct possibility that you were having a gout attack.

So the next question is, did they ever do blood work to differentiate the possibility of gout from an infection? Again, you did not mention this.

The only reason I bothered to answer this question from you, in spite of the fact that I do not have enough information, is to warn you that you cannot just walk around with a chronic infection.

I do notice that you live in the St. Louis area so my best advice to you would be to seek care at a wound care center at one of your local hospitals. Most major hospitals, at least here in NJ, have a wound care center associated with it.

As the name implies, these centers specialize in wounds, particularly wounds that will not close. They aggressively treat the wound itself and they also deal with any underlying causes that are preventing this wound from healing.

Seek one out and get your problem under control.

Marc Mitnick DPM
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Mayo Clinic

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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

MY PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS(items I prescribe in the office)

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

Orthotics for heel and arch pain for those who must wear dress shoes click link below

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(location unknown)

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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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Denison, TX

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Regards,

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South Africa

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Mansfield Ctr, CT

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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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Alameda, California

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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......

Anna

Poland

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South Carolina

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unknown location

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Arlington, VA

Thank you so very much, that would be much appreciated. I love those insoles, by the way. (referring to Superstep orthotics)

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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

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Bonnie

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

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

Your website is full of a lot of helpful information, and I am very impressed with the time in which you responded to my post. Thank you again for your time and consideration in your response.

-Sunny.

location unknown

Thank you very much for the information, I will consider it. Excellent web site.

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

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

Michelle

Colorado

Thanks again for the information provided on your site. It's easy for non-medical folk to understand your writing, and helps provide better communication between patient and doctor.

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......

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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

severe burning pain real swollen and red hammertoe not like usual

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