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

Banged my right foot on the inner side of the foot against my sons wooden bed.

by Dave
(Fort Myers Fl)

I was in my older sons room cleaning up and watching my toddler, when he bolted towards the stairs, i reacted quickly and went after him, in a freak incident, I took one step with my left foot and the right swung behind me and slammed flush on my sons wooden bed. I thought I hit my ankle and just felt a pain. I continued on for about an hour and then my ankle started to tighten up and I couldn't walk. there is no black and blue and the only indication is the pain and a small red spot where I must have made impact below the ankle on that other bone and a pain right across the foot to the other side. if I bend the foot up a bit it hurts, but if I twist it from side to side I feel more pain. I can't put any pressure on the foot to walk, I iced it right away and have it bandaged and elevated. that was yesterday . morning, I took advil and the pain is not as bad but not better. I can put a little bit of weight on it but not enough to start walking. I unfortunately can not go to the doctor because I was recently laid off and do not have insurance. I can not afford any medical bills at this point. I am not sure if it can be a deep bone bruise, small fracture, severely sprained, or ligaments damage. I know it is smarter to get it checked, but I am in an unfortunately situation.


RESPONSE
Hi Dave,
I understand your financial situation as it is all too common these days but the only way you are going to know the extent of damage you did to your foot and ankle is with an x-ray and medical evaluation.
One option you have is to call around your area and see if there are any foot specialists who offer a discount for
patients paying cash with no insurance (we do that in my office). You may be surprised to find that there are actually some caring doctors out there. If you do that I would recommend you see a foot specialist as they would be the specialist best able to give you the most accurate diagnosis, so that you do not end up wasting your time and money.
If that is not an option you can entertain at this time and medical care is not an option for you then you can do the following:
1. Since the trauma is over 24 hours, I would recommend heat, specifically moist heat to the area on and off a few times per day, as heat increases blood flow to the area and it is blood that allows injured areas to heal. (Ice is used for the first 24 hours after trauma to reduce swelling and pain).
2. If you can tolerate medications like Advil or Aleve, you should take them according to the package insert on a regular basis (not here and there) in an effort to maintain blood levels of the medication as that is how the medicine works most effectively.
3. I would keep the foot wrapped with at least an ace bandage to keep the swelling down and to limit motion in the ankle joint.
4. If it is still very painful to walk on I would suggest you go non-weightbearing with the use of crutches. By going non-weightbearing you will limit any further damage for the time being.
Please keep in mind that if you did happen to break a bone, you run the risk of having issues down the road such as improper healing which can lead to permanent pain and disability because the fracture was not diagnosed in time.
So you have to make a decision as to whether or not you are going to see a doctor. I would suggest you see one as soon as possible.

Marc Mitnick DPM
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ADDITIONAL REFERENCES

Mayo Clinic

Johns Hopkins Medicine

MedlinePlus

Arthritis Foundation

University of Rochester Medical Center

Harvard Health

Drugs.com

American Academy of Pediatrics

Penn State Medical Center

National Institutes of Health

Columbia University Department of Rehabilitation

ScienceDirect

Stanford Health Care

Illinois Bone and Joint Institute

Mount Sinai Hospital

Institute for Chronic Pain

University of Florida Health

American Family Physician

Cedars-Sinai

University of Maryland Medical Center
If you happen to live in the New York - New Jersey area and would like to visit our office

Dr. Marc Mitnick

151 Summit Ave.
Summit, NJ 07901
908-522-0761


To make an appointment online or for directions to our office click Dr. Marc Mitnick.

DISCLAIMER: The purpose of this site is purely informational in nature. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any medical condition. This information is not a substitute for advice from a medical professional. Please consult your healthcare provider for accurate diagnosis and treatment. The information presented here may be subject to errors and omissions.


SITE LAST UPDATED: MAY 2026




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(items I prescribe in the office)


Orthotics for multiple types of foot pain
best buy in a pre-made orthotic
click link below


SuperStepOrthotics

Orthotics for heel and arch pain for those who must wear dress shoes
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redithotics

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(location unknown)
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(location unknown)
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(location unknown)
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(location unknown)
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UK

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Placentia, California

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Unknown

Unknown location

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Unknown location

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New Zealand

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Arizona
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Florida
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Poland
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M P

South Carolina
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Natalie

unknown location


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Arlington, VA


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San Clemente, CA


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Pam

location unknown


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location unknown


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Bre

location unknown


Dr. Mitnick, Thank you so much for your reply. I did let my physician know and they took an x-ray - all is well! Also, thank you for providing this wonderful site, it is very helpful with lots of useful information! I appreciate your gift of time! God bless.

anonymous



Dr. Mitnick, Thank you, you were 100% correct. The pain finally brought me to the ER. I spent 8 days in the hospital. The Doppler you spoke of was able to show that there was no pulse in that foot. This was an arterial clot that split and traveled throughout my leg. My leg was almost amputated. I am in rough shape but have all my parts intact!! You certainly know what you are talking about. Thank you for taking the time to answer. Yours Truly!

anonymous



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Poland



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Seattle, WA


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Bonnie

location unknown



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New Jersey



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Debbie

location unknown



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location unknown



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Evansville, IA



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Russ W.

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San Diego, CA



Dr. Mitnick, Just want to say thank you so very much for your quick response and very informative reply! After reading what you had to say, I called the doctor's office and was able to get in and see him the same day as my injury. Toe was x-rayed and luckily, it is not broken or fractured. Very badly bruised and will probably lose the toe nail. And although my toe and toe nail are still very black and blue and very sore, they ARE both starting to feel a little better. So again, thank you! I am so very happy that I came across your website. The service you provide is outstanding and immeasurable!

Rivi,

Albany, NY



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Jill S.

location unknown



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Jackie

Whichita, KS



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mark

Boston, MA



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Colorado



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Colorado

Wonderful advice

by: Anonymous

This is the best site for foot problem info.

Thank you for this information. This description fits my pain and inflammation behind my 2nd toe perfectly.

by: Max

location unknown
Again, I really appreciate that you responded to my inquiry, and that your mention of Parkinson's helped me to find my way to a diagnosis of this difficult to diagnose disease. Most patients see on average 16 doctors before they are diagnosed. I hope that you can help other people that ask for your expertise in the future.

Barb D.

Canada
I just wanted to say that I am very greatful for this website!! I have had a fusion in my rt foot and am finally getting a little bit better......

Bonnie

location unknown
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Wisconsin
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Julie

location unknown
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Renae

North Carolina
Many Thanks Dr Marc!
Thank you for your response. It sounds like a good plan to me. He did not cut the wart out first ...

KG

location unknown

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Bessie Mae

Florida
Dear Dr. Mitnick, Thank you so very much for taking your time to answer my question. You have greatly relieved my anxiety related to the continual tingly I feel in my feet. I will share your response with my podiatrist next week. God bless you for having this question and answer page on your website! Most gratefully,

Lynne T.

location unknown
Your webpage is excellent, I commend you on sharing your knowledge to the public.

Robert

New Jersey


Thank you. you were more detailed than what others have told me they finally called from the last xrays and my son is now in a cast for 2 weeks he did have a fracture that was not noticeable.

a mom

location unknown


I have read your website and I have to admit that I am amazed at all the information that is on here. I have learned more than the three years I have been going to several doctors that I have seen!!

Melody

Lenoir, NC


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Bellevue, WA


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Jodi

location unknown

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