aching right foot

by Gloria
(Canada)

I have been having a problem with my right foot for the past 6 months. It started when we were on vacation and I walked a very long distance in improper shoes (high heels). My foot swelled up at the time but, ever since, it has ached like crazy (on the inside, the bump below my big toe). It usually aches in the night when I am trying to sleep. It aches during the day as well but, it keeps me up at night! I couldn't find anything on your website that might explain what this could be.

Hi Gloria,

Go look at my page on bunions. I assume that is the part of the foot that is hurting you and in many, many instances it is the result of doing a lot of walking in high heels.
Since it has been present for six months I will assume it is not going away on its own. Pain in that area is very treatable and not necessarily by surgical means. But you have to see a podiatrist. Try all conservative measures and with a little luck you should be able improve on the problem.
Good luck.
Marc Mitnick DPM

MY FEET

by KENNETH
(BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA, US)

MY FEET BECOME VERY TIGHT WHEN AT REST, AND FOR THE FIRST FEW MIN I CAN ONLY SHUFFLE THEM I CANNOT BEND THEM TO TAKE A NORMAL STEP BUT AFTER ABOUT TWENTY OR SO STEPS THEY BEGIN TO LOOSEN UP A BIT THEY ARE VERY PAINFUL AT FIRST THEN WHEN THEY LOOSEN UP THE PAIN SUBSIDES SOME, IT NEVER QUITE GOES AWAY BUT IT IS LESS.
ALSO I HAVE KNOTS ON BOTH OF MY ACHILLES TENDONS THEY DO NOT HURT MUCH THOUGH. ALSO I HAVE THESE SMALL VERY PAINFULL BUMPS ON THE BOTTOMS OF MY FEET AT ALL TIMES AS WELL I KNOW IT SOUNDS LIKE IM A MESS, THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON NOW FOR ABOUT SIXTY DAYS OR SO. CAN YOU HELP, SOMEONE TOLD ME IT WAS GOUT IT THAT TRUE.

IF POSSIBLE CAN YOU SEND THE ANSWER TO MY EMAIL ADDRESS I AM NOT ON MY COMPUTER AT THE TIME.

KENNETH

Hi Kenneth,
You have a multitude of foot problems going on, most of it suggestive of osteoarthritis, or the wear and tear arthritis that most of us develop (even tho you do not mention your age).
The best advice I could give you would be to see a podiatrist; all your symptoms are treatable and you will be more comfortable. BTW, I don't think it is gout.
Good luck.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Left foot pain

by Chris
(Owasso, Oklahoma)

I am a 17 year old female who has been having pain in my left foot for 2 1/2 weeks now. It does not hurt when i walk a short distance (like from my bathroom to my bedroom), but it does hurt when i try to go on a long walk (i normally walk 2 1/2 miles a day), or walk up and down the stairs at my school ( i also carry a 20+ pound bag). I am 6ft1 and weigh 219. the pain moves around, like sometimes when you press on the bottom of my foot it hurts, it also sometimes hurts around the ankle and the long bones in my foot. My doctor took x-rays and they saw nothing wrong with it.

Hi Chris,
Because you are young, because there is no history of trauma, and because you had an x-ray which was normal (was you doctor a podiatrist or orthopedist, or just your family doctor), I would suspect that you have a biomechanical problem meaning you are getting pain because your feet do not function in an "ideal" manner. I am leaning this way because you are getting pain in your foot and your ankle. Possibly, the more you walk, the more the abnormal gait comes into play and that is why you are getting pain.
The best person to diagnose this would be a podiatrist.
Treatment is usually through the use of an orthotic. Keep in mind you have only had this problem for 2 1/2 weeks; you might want to wait a while longer and see if it subsides on its own, if not, then see a doctor.
Good luck.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Metataralgia or Capsulities

by David Driscoll
(Franklin, MA)

Hi there Doctor,

I have been experiencing quite a lot of pain on the bottom of my forefoot just below my second toe and into the ball of my foot (to the left of the big toe). It is very painful to walk on and is very painful to the touch as well. It also seems to get worse when in bare feet.

I do not remember any trauma to the area though I did do quite a bit of running over the weekend. The pain started on 4/1 but is much worse today. First, can you tell me what you think it is and how best I can treat?

(I am a 33 year old male, 5'8, 160 lbs, athletic with no medical conditions)

I am considering visiting my doctor but, I wanted to get your input on a possilbe cause and a remedy.

Thank you.

David

Hi David,
It sounds like you are quite a diagnostician. Two of my first three choices would be capsulitis, or metatarsalgia, with the third option of sesamoiditis. I would recommend you see your doctor to figure out which condition it is. You might also want to rule out a stress fracture.
Additionally, since you are a runner, if you do not already have orthotics, I would recommend you try a pair.
Marc Mitnick DPM

painfull lumps on the bottom of both feet

by A. Piazza
(Toronto Canada)

Over the past few years I have developed cyst like lumps on the bottom of both me feet in the arch area. At the touch, the skin feels soft, but under the skin is a cluster of three lumps. I find that they have become more painful and walking for any period of time is uncomfortable. The pain is present when I get out of bed and seems to decrease, however I work on a ceramic floor in a retail sales environment and by the end of day walking is very painful.


My Podiatrist, suggest rest, this is not an option. Do you recommend medication to reduce the lumps or surgery for removal?


Hi,
Take a look at my page on plantar fibromatosis. Rest is not a solution.
Prior to surgery I would consider a prescription orthotic with an accommodation to take pressure off the lumps. A cortisone shot can be very helpful.
Surgery should be a last resort as there can be complications which may leave you worse off than before surgery, but you certainly cannot rule it out if the more conservative options do not work. See my essay on surgical consideration.

Marc Mitnick DPM

Mystery Side Foot Pain

by James
(Lake Elsinore, CA, USA)

Hello, I recently developed a pain on the left side of my left foot, below the ankle and spanning from just before the heel, and back to a few inches before the 'pinky' toe. the area is swollen and somewhat bruised in apearance. Pain is only felt when pressure is applied. Walking on my toes is a lot better but still difficult.

How the pain came to be: Last weekend in Las Vegas we were walking long distances along the strip, and I was wearing sandles. The pain just kind of crept up on me and hasn't gone away since, at all. I've tried icing or wrapping the foot but they didn't help at all.

I figure I'll have to go see a doctor this next week but wonder if anyone knows what might be going on with my poor foot! Thank you for your time.

Your limping friend,
James

Hi James,
Two things immediately come to mind; one is a stress fracture which can readily happen when doing a lot of walking on hard surfaces such as the Vegas strip.
The other thing which I have seen on a couple of occasions is from a shoe (sandal) which is too narrow in the area of the foot you describe. Typically there will be an impingement from the sandal into the fifth metatarsal base.
In either event the foot needs to be x-rayed to rule out stress fracture. If it is not fractured, avoiding those sandals and some anti-inflammatory medication should do the trick.
Good luck.
Marc Mitnick DPM

constant pain in the ball of my left foot located directly under the big toe

by Markus
(Birmingham , Al Jeffeson)

I am having constant pain in the ball region of my left foot, located directly underneath the big toe. The problem first started about a month ago. The pain just started all of a sudden and progressed for nearly a week. After 8 or 9 days the pain started to decrease in the ball region and I could walk again without any aggravating pain. Well here in the last 2 days now , the pain has returned the same as it did a month ago. I need to know what exactly the problem is , and what I can do to surpress the pain in my foot.

Hi Markus,

Allow me to refer you to my articles on sesamoiditis and turf toe.
If you are not particularly athletic I would lean more towards sesamoiditis; turf toe if you do participate in sports.
Both conditions can be difficult to remedy on your own because every time you "walk" you are basically aggravating the situation.
You can try some of my suggestions in the articles including anti-inflammatory medication and perhaps the use of an orthotic.
In all fairness you should probably have the foot x-rayed to make sure there is no fracture of the sesamoid bone.
Your best bet would be to get started on it now and not allow it to get any worse, because the worse it gets the harder it is to cure.
Marc Mitnick DPM

little red lumps on underneath of toes

by Freda
(London)

I have developed little red lumps on the underneath of two toes. The first was on my little toe and kind of feels like a lump under the skin, it is mildly painful, perhaps more so in the morning. I thought maybe it's a wart but there is no change to the skin, apart from being a little bit red. It does seem to have a 'core' in that when I touch it the core is more painful. Another lump came up about a week and a half later on the other foot, different toe. I think I also have the beginnings of an ingrowing toenail. Not having much luck on the feet front.

Hi Freda,
If the growth has a core, I would still lean toward warts. See a podiatrist; he or she should be able to fix both your problems.
Marc Mitnick DPM

left ankle pain for about 2 months

by lindsey
(sandy oregon)

my left ankle has been hurting for the past 2 months. it is not a constant pain. sometimes it feels like there is a pocket of air in it and sometimes it is a dull burning and other times it is an intense shooting pain. it is on the outside. when i bend my foot in toward my right and push just under the ankle bone is where it hurts. i have tried icing it and elevating it and taking nsaids i am now wearing a brace that does not allow me to move it sided to side. and it still hurts! there is mild swelling.

Hi Lindsey,
Assuming no history of trauma, the area where you are pressing sounds like the lateral ankle ligaments which are the ligaments which are most affected in an inversion sprain (the left foot bends in toward the right foot as you described). I do not know how old you are, your weight, or your activity level, but two months seems fairly long for this to be going on.
You should pay a visit to a podiatrist and have the ankle x-rayed to make sure nothing else is going on.
Along with the immobilization, physical therapy might be very beneficial. Do not wait too long; the longer you wait, the less beneficial the therapy will be.
Good luck.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Very cold feet and pain in large toe also on the pad of the toe

I have very very cold feet sometimes only wrapping my hands around can warm them up. Sometimes it makes it very painful to walk and lately I have suffered periods in which my large toe, particularly of the left foot, has been very painful and unable to walk on with a pain radiating up the front part of my leg. There is nothing to see other than the toe nail looking white and red horizontal lines towards the nail end of the toe. I seem to be having it periodically but it is so painful. Doctor didn't know what it was could be bad circulation.

Hi Christine,
Poor circulation is certainly a possibility.
You do not mention your age but poor circulation from various sources can occur in people of any age. Generally in younger people it is not of a serious issue, but can be serious in older individuals.
You really need to see a doctor who specializes in circulation to diagnose the type and severity (if any) of your condition.
Do not put this off.
Marc Mitnick DPM

plantar fibromatosis

by Patti
(Biloxi, MS)

I was going to order a pair of your suggested orthotics, however, how can I make sure that the orthotic doesn't hurt the fibroid more???? I have tried several brands of orthotics, and some with arch supports sits on the fibroid very uncomfortably.

I used to be a runner, but have had both knees operated. Now I walk about 5 miles a day. I first discovered the fibroids about one year ago. When first discovered, they didn't hurt, now . . . well you know, they are tender and hurt most of the time

Hi Patti,
I would not recommend my orthotics for plantar fibromatosis. For this condition a custom orthotic is required because the orthotic is built with an accommodation that takes pressure off of the growth. An off the shelf orthotic will not do that.
If they hurt there are other treatments along with orthotics; see a qualified podiatrist.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Pain on left side of my left foot,mostly after a bath

by Estelle Murray
(Belfast)

My pain is very strange. It started when I had a bath. As soon as I set my foot out of the bath the left side of my left foot has this strange pain in it. Its hard to explain. Its kinda like a cramp and I can barely walk on it but this only lasts for a few minutes.

Also when I kneel on my legs and get up again I can barely stand or walk on this foot yet again as the same pain from the bath is present but only worse. It does not last too long but can be very annoying.

I have noticed that I am getting this pain more often and lasting longer now without having a bath or kneeling. I actually think it is there most of the day but not as painful. It is very worrying. Can you please advise. The Pain is sore, it can have a stinging strange sensation to it also, if that makes sense. I would be really grateful if you could advise me of what is causing this pain and how I can prevent it. It only came about 2 months ago and I think its more persistent and lasting longer.

Many thanks for any advice you can offer me.

All the best

Estelle

Hi Estelle,

The pain is probably coming from the area of the fifth metatarsal base and the tendon that runs underneath the bone at that level.
Stepping down (out of the bath) and kneeling would seem to create the same kind of stress on that tendon.
Since it is two months old the chances of it going away on its own is very slim. See a foot specialist.
Good luck.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Itching and blisters plus sweating

by Page
(Camp Verde, Arizona)

My feet sweat than there is friction than my feet itch to the point where i am scratching them till sometimes i will bleed which of course causes the blisters.
i have seen a doctor and he said i "won't die from it i will just die with it".

Hi Page,

Your condition is fairly common. It is called hyperhidrosis, basically it is excessive perspiration in the feet.
This excessive perspiration can lead to a multitude of other foot problems such as you describe.
The simple solution to this problem is to use a topical spray or roll on product designed for foot perspiration. They work quite well, but I caution you against over use of the product, they will turn your feet into football leather.
The doctor you consulted was right; it is not a life threatening condition but it is a very uncomfortable condition that is easily treated.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Pain in the metatarsal region

by SR
(INDIA)

Hello Doctor,

I have this persistent pain in the right foot in the ball region.Initially I thought it could be due to foot wear and reduced the use of footwear when at home for couple of days after which the pain increased.I could see some swelling but no redness.
I'm on antibiotics now and also applying gel to relieve the pain.But I do not see much improvement ie after 3 days of medication.

I do not feel the pain after a prolonged rest period but immediately it returns once I start to move around in the house and work in the kitchen in a standing position.

Please help me with some advice.

Thanks & Regards,
SR

Hello SR,

The three main conditions that I would initially suspect would be capsulitis, Mortons neuroma, or perhaps metatarsalgia.
In addition one has to rule out stress fracture.
This problem would be best diagnosed by a doctor familiar with foot conditions, not a general doctor. You will need an x-ray to rule out a fracture.
None of these conditions require antibiotics. The fact that your foot hurt more without shoes is not surprising; sometimes the firmness of a shoe (compared to being barefoot) can help forefoot pain.
I wish I could be more specific but without being able to actually examine you I am afraid thats the best that I can do.
Read my pages on the various conditions and see if any of them fit your set of symptoms.
Good luck.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Reoccuring blister on bottom or side of 5th toe

Every month since Nov. the area around my litle toe starts to itch immensely and then forms a blister under the toe or on the side of it. I thought it started with some type of bite I felt in Nov bt the 4th and 5th toe when it itched then and turned into a mild cellulitis with a purple blister that formed bt the two toes. The doctor says that this reoccuring blister every month can't be from a spider bite however two puncture biopsies are reading inconclusive of anything either.Was put on prednisone and abt but they keep coming back. No pressure or rubbing is put on this area; have even gone barefoot and worn only flip flops but the blister keeps reoccuring. Hope you can help with any suggestions. Thank you

Hello,
Unfortunately, without seeing it I cannot offer an opinion. But, what I would suggest is getting a second opinion, in this case probably a dermatologist would be your best bet. A lot of times doctors, myself included, develop tunnel vision with a certain condition and can't seem to think outside the box, so another opinion might be very helpful.
Good luck.
Marc Mitnick DPM