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

Sharp Pain in Big Toe and Burning Pain in Ball of Foot

by Dennis
(King George Virginia)

I broke my big toe ( Right Foot ) in '04. Toe healed fine and did not bother me until '08 while on a treadmill. I was walking on the treadmill for an hour each day until my foot started to hurt. It has now been 7 months( not walking on treadmill), and the pain is better but will not go away. I have seen 4 podiatrist and 2 are not sure what is causing it and 2 beleive it is a nerve problem. I am having sharp pains in in the end of my big toe and burning pain in the ball of my foot. The pain has improved over the months from a 10 to a 7 / ten being the worst. Neither podiatrist fells that the pain is coming from the break in '04. Possibly coming from walking on the treadmill. It has been suggested that the nerve be deadened by cryosurgery ( freezing the nerve ). I am also having some burning pain in both arches. I just purchased custom made arch supports from Foot Solutions to see if they will help. I have just started to wear them 3 days ago. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Dennis

Hi Dennis,
Without having the luxury of examining you the symptoms you describe do sound like nerve involvement, probably an entrapment of a local nerve in the ball of the foot, that is giving you the localized pain and the sensation into the end of your toes.
I would imagine it was the constant pounding on the treadmill that irritated the nerve.
The arch supports, over time, may reduce some of the nerve inflammation.
Have you tried any nerve "soothing" medications like Neurontin or Pamelor?
You might mention them to your doctor and see what they say.
If you can pinpoint the exact area of irritation, a cortisone injection may also be helpful.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Comments for Sharp Pain in Big Toe and Burning Pain in Ball of Foot

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Apr 29, 2009
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Burning sensation on ball of foot
by: Anonymous

what about cortisone cream applied topically ?

Hi,
Although you can try cortisone cream, it is usually reserved for skin eruptions and in my opinion would probably not help burning on the ball of the foot.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Jan 27, 2009
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Re:Big Toe
by: Anonymous

(Lili Burlingotn, VT) I?ve been experiencing a lot of pain in my big toe and it?s very difficult to walk. It?s worst when I put pressure on the toe. I didn?t hit anything to have caused the pain. I hope it?s nothing bad that I need to worry about. I work in an office and sit all day! I?ve had this pain before, but not as bad!

Hi Lili,
Since there was no trauma I would not suspect you have a broken bone so that leaves you one of two things. Arthritis in the big toe joint (I do not know how old you are) or perhaps a tendonitis.
If you can tolerate it, take some anti-inflammatory medication for a few days and see if that relieves the pain, if it does not, you should consider seeing a podiatrist.
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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(location unknown)

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(location unknown)

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(location unknown)

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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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New Zealand

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South Carolina

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location unknown

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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!

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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!

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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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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

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

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

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......

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

Sharp Pain in Big Toe and Burning Pain in Ball of Foot

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