nerve pain at top of foot down to big toe

when I touch or put pressure on the top of my feet I get shooting pain into the big toes, this also happens when I stretch out and point my toes. I have been a proffesional driver for 10 years and wonder if this is related and how to fix it.

Hi,

Read my section on midtarsal fault. In that discussion you will notice the paragraph where I discuss your symptoms almost the same way you described it.
What is happening is because of irritation to one of the superficial nerves (the nerve directly under the skin) by shoe pressure pressing the nerve into an underlying bony prominence, the nerve has become irritated.
I would not be surprised that the nature of your profession has contributed to the problem.
If you want to try something on your own, you can try placing a doughnut type pad over the area of most sensitivity, then lace your shoes. This should remove the pressure directly on the nerve. This will not necessarily alleviate the pain immediately, but over time you should see a reduction in symptoms.
If you are looking for quicker relief and an accurate diagnosis, you should make an appointment with a foot specialist. Many times a cortisone injection will calm down the nerve irritation, you will probably also need the doughnut pad otherwise there will always be pressure on the nerve and your symptoms will continue.
At times when conservative treatment as mentioned here does not work, a foot surgeon can go in surgically and try and free the nerve from its associated scar tissue and this can be very helpful, however it is not often an easy procedure as the nerve is very thin and sometimes difficult to find.

Marc Mitnick DPM

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