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

Big Toe Pain

by Pam
(Frankfort, IL USA)

A couple of month ago (sometime in March) I started to get an aching pain in the base of my big toe. It progressively got worse over the course of the day to the point where I couldn't walk on it. I didn't think I did anything, but thought that I might have hurt it while putting on a pair of running shorts. My toe got caught in the lining and yanked up and to the side. It hurt a little, but not enough to think anything of it at the time. My entire foot swelled up over the course of the next couple of days. I had two sets of x-rays taken. The first doctor said there was some calcification, but it wasn't broken. The second took blood test for signs of infection or ghout, both came bake normal. She said it looked like there was some extra bone, but it didn't look broken. I haven't done any exercise for two months, and started running again in late May. It is still bothering me and I have limited range of motion, particularly while trying to "point" my toe. When the pain started, I couldn't sleep at night because it would throb and felt really warm. (Not warm to the touch, but like I had warm liquid inside my toe.) It hurt to put pressure on it, but when keeping it elevated for a long period of time, it felt like I needed to put it down.

Hi Pam,
I do not know how old you are but gout occurs primarily in postmenopausal women so if you are not there yet, then it probably is not gout.
Two things come to mind in the area that you state hurts; that would be turf toe or perhaps sesamoiditis. Read my articles on each subject.
Because this has been going on for more than two months and has not "run its course" I think you may need additional tests such as an MRI or ultrasound to better examine the area.
You do not mention what kind of treatment if any, you had but oral anti-inflammatory medication along with physical therapy might be called for. But first you need an accurate diagnosis which hopefully is what more tests will give you.
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

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

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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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(location unknown)

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Unknown location

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Unknown location

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New Zealand

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Arizona

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Poland

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South Carolina

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unknown location

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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!

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Seattle, WA

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location unknown

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New Jersey

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location unknown

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location unknown

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Evansville, IA

Dear Marc

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location unknown

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Jackie

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!

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Albany, NY

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Jill S.

location unknown

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Whichita, KS

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Boston, MA

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Colorado

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annielou

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

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Canada

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location unknown

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Wisconsin

Thank you for your response. You have provided some great insight (to my question)....

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location unknown

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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

Thanks again doc for having this website and we STILL need qualified Podiatrists in beautiful sunny Tampa Bay (Bradenton) Florida.

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

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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

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Lenoir, NC

Thank you so much Doc for a quick and thorough response!

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Bellevue, WA

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Jodi

location unknown

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