ball of foot throbs and big toe joint is unbearable to bend

by janet
(IL)

I was painting and going up and down a ladder and did not have good shoes on and sometimes did not have shoes on. A couple days later the bottom of my foot started hurting and I ignored it and just kept doing things through the pain and one morning I woke up and my foot was swollen on top and I couldn't walk normally to bend my foot forwards. I started to soak it and started taking wobenzyme for the imflammation and also ultram for the severe pain. I borrowed a post surgical shoe from a friend and I limp all around in pain. I was now given an air boot from the friend which is so heavy and high and I haven't attemtpted going out with it yet.

The foot throbs constantly on the bottom, is this sesamoiditis? and will the boot help? Also how long does it take to heal since I am taking care of an elderly mother on a daily basis. Also like everyone else I don't have insurance since my company closed over a couple yrs a go and I can't afford to get personal insurance. Is this something that can be taken care of at home without seeing a doctor (foot specialist).

The throbbing is the worse, I tried iceing it instead of the soaking with epsom salt and feels better while I'm doing it but the throbbing never really goes away and it keeps me up all night long even taking the ultram and wobenzyme. I can't take motrin etc. because I have kidney problems

Hi Janet,
Apparently you overstretched something by climbing the ladder with poor shoes or no shoes. I cannot make a diagnosis because I do not have the luxury of examining you.
However, you certainly can try all the things that go along with a strain. That would include anti-inflammatory medication (if you can tolerate it), warm soaks, 20 minutes three times per day, and immobilization, probably the surgical shoe being the easiest thing to wear. Additionally, if somehow you could stay off your foot for a few days that would also be helpful.
If these suggestions do not improve the pain, then your best option would be to seek medical attention.
Marc Mitnick DPM