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

Foot very sore almost painful I have a high tolerance for pain but this is really bothering me

I am a very active women and in great shape was on my way to do a power walk when earlier (I think this may have been the time i hurt it though I didn't feel anything at the time only an hour later) Earlier i pushed a glass door open with my foot because my hands were full my right foot started to get sore by the time I got to my car to go for the walk it was very sore needless to say I drove home. I thought maybe I bruised it so I soaked my foot in Epsom salt (like to go the natural route before trying any over the counter pills) it is somewhat swollen and really bothers me but I figure if I can bend the foot i probably did not break anything. Will take some Alieve (which I had to borrow from my landlord since the only thing in my cabinet is aspirin) before I go to bed hoping it will be better in the morning . Any clue as to what I did? Thanks for your time! Nancy


RESPONSE

Hi Nancy,

The problem with your narrative is you spent too much time telling me how the injury happened and virtually no time telling me where it hurts on your foot, or even if the soaking and Aleve helped.
So, I am kind of working blind here.
I will make the assumption that you had shoes on when you pushed the glass door open. Although, you do not mention it, I will assume the door did not slam on your foot. So, basically, I am assuming pushing the door open with your foot is something you have
done countless other times, but this time the foot started to hurt.
Because of this scenario the possibility of you having broken a bone are remote. The only way I could have seen that happening would be if you had been barefoot or if the door slammed on your foot and you do not mention either.
That leaves us with some time of soft tissue damage, soft tissue being anything but bone. If this is the case, then either you strained a tendon or you damaged a ligament. A ligament is small leather like structure that binds to bones together so that the bones basically stay in place.
Is the foot red or swollen in the area that hurts? Redness and swelling is a general indicator of the extent of damage you did to yourself. If the area is not terribly red or swollen then that could be taken as a good sign.
Does the foot hurt only when you walk or does it hurt even when seated? I would be concerned if it hurts even when seated.
Since I cannot imagine you creating enough force to tear a ligament or tendon just by pushing open a glass door, I will make the assumption that it is just a strain.
My suggestion would be to continue with the Aleve and warm soaks, perhaps even wrapping the foot for a couple of days. If this is indeed just a strain, then it should begin to improve in a few days. Obviously avoid the power walks as well.
If your problem does not improve substantially over the next couple of days, then it will be time to make an appointment with a foot specialist.

Marc Mitnick DPM
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Mar 17, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Sharp pain in third toe, whole foot and leg hurt can't do anything
by: Christy

So happy to find your site and hope you can help me. I had been having a lot of pain in my right foot , leg, knee and groin. I went to a ton of doctors and was finally told I had Morton's Neuroma. I thought finally my problems were solved. I had a series of 3 injections which just kept making the pain worse and worse. After the 3rd injection the pain became unbearable. This was two months ago, before I could walk and the pain would build after a couple of hours. Now just standing is hard, even when laying down I have a sharp stabbing nerve pain in my third toe which sometimes sends a pain up to my knee. If I sit my foot turns purple and swollen, my big toe and small toe turn bright red.My foot is icy cold. Now my toes on my left foot are turning purple and get cold as well. When I lay and put my foot up the normal color returns. My doctors don't seem to have any answers. Please help, I am really worried

RESPONSE

Hi Christy,

Based on your narrative, as someone looking in from the outside, my first concern would be compromise of your circulation. Have you seen a vascular specialist? If not I would get to one right away and give he or she the same description of your symptoms that you have giving me.
Your symptoms are very suggestive of an arterial embolism. (keep in mind, I am just guessing as I obviously cannot examine you, nor do I know anything about your medical history).
Anytime a foot and leg becomes colder and turns various colors, the first thing that has to be assessed is your circulation.
Typically neuromas will not cause the leg to hurt even though neuroma pain can travel upwards somewhat. They certainly will not cause the foot to get cold nor change the color of your foot and leg.
The fact that you got absolutely no relief from the injections would also lead me to believe that you do not have a neuroma.
See a vascular specialist immediately and even if I am wrong, at least you have ruled out a potentially dangerous situation.

Marc Mitnick DPM
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Columbia University Department of Rehabilitation

ScienceDirect

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Illinois Bone and Joint Institute

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University of Florida Health

American Family Physician

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Dr. Marc Mitnick

151 Summit Ave.
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908-522-0761


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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.


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(location unknown)
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anonymous



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anonymous



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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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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
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Lynne T.

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

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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