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

Can't walk on foot. Have to walk on outside of foot

I have been running on a treadmill pretty fast and hard the last two weeks. I do about 3 miles or so and I've been running on and off my whole life . I finished a run 2 days ago and felt fine. I did feel like I needed to stretch my calfs more though. Later that day I was at work and walking and got a shooting pain in my left foot/ankle when I was walking. Like I had to immediately take the weight off my foot. . It was as my toes were pushing off the ground. Ever since It has gotten worse and now I must walk on the outside of my foot to walk. Also when I flex my foot up with toes pointing up and roll ankle toward the left I get the pain in my arch. The pain is in the medial part of my foot like where my arch is and also the top part of my ankle and the back of my heel and sometimes bottom middle portion of foot. Is this a stress fracture? Anything I can do beside not run and ice it? Thank you for any insight. I've made a doctors appt but they can't see me for a week.


RESPONSE

Hi,

Without an examination and possibly an x-ray it is difficult to know what kind of damage you did to your foot.
So until you know exactly what you did to yourself, you need to protect the foot as this will obviously reduce pain and not allow further damage.
I am only
guessing here but I would lean more towards a tendon strain, possibly a tendon tear than I would towards a stress fracture, but again, you do not know until you have been examined.
In addition to not running and ice, you may also want to consider wrapping the foot in an ace bandage or similar device, just to better stabilize the foot and take some of the strain off the foot when walking.
If, however, walking is very painful, then you may want to consider the use of crutches until you can be examined.
Being non-weightbearing on the foot is the best way to prevent further damage.
Additionally, assuming there are no contraindications, such as a sensitive stomach, or any history of bleeding tendencies, you may also want to start a round of anti-inflammatory medication such as Motrin, Aleve or Advil.
Take the medication according to the schedule recommended in the package insert. This way you maintain adequate blood levels of the medication and that will have the most benefit.
Since you will be seeing the doctor in the next few days you will not be on the medication for too long a period of time.
Lastly, I would recommend switching over to moist heat, such as soaking in warm water, rather than ice, as I prefer icing strictly for the first 24 hours after injury, just to reduce swelling and thus pain, but beyond that time period, I feel heat is more beneficial.

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

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: APRIL 2026




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Arizona
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Poland
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South Carolina
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Arlington, VA


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San Clemente, CA


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location unknown


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Bre

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anonymous



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anonymous



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Poland



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Seattle, WA


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location unknown



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New Jersey



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Debbie

location unknown



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Chrissy

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Evansville, IA



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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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Whichita, KS



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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
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Canada
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location unknown
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Wisconsin
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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

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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
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Robert

New Jersey


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a mom

location unknown


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Lenoir, NC


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Bellevue, WA


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location unknown

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