severe stabbing pain at top of toe where joins foot

by Gwen
(Plymouth UK)

I am experiencing every night about 2 to 3 hours after retiring a very severe stabbing pain on the top of the toe next to my little toe, The pain is specific to one area ie where the top of the toe meets the foot. The pain occurs every 20 to 30 secs is likened to a sharp knife stabbing me and prevents sleeping. If I get up and stand and move around after about 30 mins the pain goes. As soon I lie down after a while it returns.I am a female of 70 years a non smoker (last 7 Years ) and drink a glass of red wine with dinner . I visited a chiropdist and my doctor but do not feel they have been much help. Dr prescribed pain killers and Mirapexin tablets for restless leg. Neither have had any effect. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Gwen Davis

Hi Gwen,
It is fairly safe to say you do not have restless leg syndrome.
The most common cause of pain in the area that you describe is a tendonitis of the tendon that raises the fourth toe; the only problem I have with this is that generally speaking it would not just hurt while at rest, in fact it should not hurt at rest, plus it would probably hurt more walking.
Moving over slightly to in between the third and fourth toe there is a possibility you are suffering from Morton's neuroma (read my section) because typically the pain from that will cause the so-called stabbing pain, but that too is usually more prevalent when walking.
I would recommend a third opinion from another foot specialist.
Marc Mitnick DPM