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

Shooting pains on top of right foot

by Mary
(Connecticut)

I have a very small cut on the top of my right foot. I just got scraped as I was doing something on the boat. Thought nothing of it. All of a sudden, two days later, it started shooting almost unbearable pain up my leg usually at night. Today, I soaked it in Epsom Salt and put ointment on it then a band aid with built in ointment. It's now happening sporadically.. What is this??

ANSWER

Hi Mary,

I would assume if the scrape was not very deep and it did not hurt you for the first two days then you probably did not do any structural damage to your foot, such as partially tearing a tendon or injuring one of the superficial nerves that run down the top of the foot. This would be the two most common issues that would occur if you scraped the top of your foot. (if you had done damage to a superficial vein there would have been a lot of bruising and bleeding).
So that leaves me with the last option and that would be an infection.
Most infections take between 36-72 hours to occur after a cut. In theory that would explain why you did not have any pain the first two days and since the pain started on the second day it would fit nicely within the time-line for an infection.
If that is the case I would think that soaking it in epsom salt and applying ointment would be helpful, but depending on the degree of infection, that alone might not be enough.
If the scrape is starting to ooze pus, or the foot and even lower leg is getting progressively more swollen, painful and red then there is a very good chance that you have more than just a local infection.
This type of problem will require medical attention which will probably include an oral antibiotic.
I do not know anything about your overall medical history, but if you are diabetic, have a depressed immune system, poor circulation to your foot and a couple of other medical issues then this possible infection becomes more of a medical emergency than just simple pain in your foot and leg.
My recommendation would be to make an immediate appointment with your doctor or go to the local emergency room and have the wound inspected and treated.

Marc Mitnick DPM
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