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

foot/ankle pain and numbness and swelling and lower back pain

5 months ago i noticed the top of my right foot was swollen it is in the middle and the top near my ankle when it would get rubbed against something or touched it would go tingly all the way up to my two first toes. then it started to hurt when touched and i noticed the pain was coming from the very top of my foot/ ankle there is a little almost round feeling bone right there that hurts the worst. Now it is hurting all the time when i want crinkle my toes move my ankle anything and is still going numb when touched as well as sometimes when i move my foot. Around the same time that the pain started in my foot i also started getting pain in the right side of my lower back in the last month the pain in both my foot and back has escalated from a 3 on a 1- 10 scale to a 8. about 1 month and a half ago i went to the doctor had blood work done and everything came back ok and i had an xray on my foot and they saw nothing wrong. something is wrong and it is getting worse! please help me.


RESPONSE

Hi,

Read my section on "midtarsal fault" and see if that discussion sounds like your problem.
The tingling and numbness you are getting on top of your foot indicates an irritation to one of the superficial nerves that travels down the top of your foot. This nerve lies directly underneath the skin and is easily irritated. Typically you will
get numbness on top of the foot with a tingling sensation down to the first and second toes. This is typical of the path of the nerve.
The reason the top of the foot is swollen is due to one of two possible reasons. You may have a bone spur which is growing upward and causing the swelling on top of the foot.
There is also the possibility of either a ganglion cyst or even an irritation and swelling of the tendon that passes down to the toes on the top of the foot. If the swelling feels "spongy" than it may be a cyst.
This problem generally occurs as a result of a couple of issues.
If you happen to be flat footed, the bones in this area of the foot, which represents the highest part of the arch, will collapse as your foot flattens out. This creates a jamming effect between the two bones and this jamming creates bone spurring.
The other problem for many people is that they may have one or more pairs of shoes that are too tight in this area. The pressure of the shoe pressing down into the bone creates irritation and inflammation which will irritate the nerve, giving you the sensation that you describe. The shoe tightness will also aggravate the tendon in that area causing an irritation and thus swelling.
I would suggest you see a foot specialist in your area as they are the best at recognizing this scenario.
Most doctors who do not treat feet regularly would be clueless as to what this condition might be.

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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(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
click link below


redithotics

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(location unknown)
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Redondo Beach, CA
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LH

(location unknown)
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(location unknown)
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(location unknown)
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Denison, TX
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Tampa, Florida 33624

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UK

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Mansfield Ctr, CT

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Placentia, California

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Unknown

Unknown location

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Unknown location

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Alameda, California

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Anonymous



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New Zealand

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Sincerely

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Arizona
I searched the internet everywhere for a clear description and illustration of my symptoms/problem. https://www.foot-pain-explained.com/ was where I ended my search with answers. If I lived in Jersey (left 30 years ago) and didn't live in Florida I would definetly make an appointment with Dr. Mitnick.

Thanks, Kathy

Florida
1st of all THANKS A LOT for your great site......

Anna

Poland
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M P

South Carolina
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Natalie

unknown location


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Arlington, VA


Thank you so very much, that would be much appreciated. I love those insoles, by the way. (referring to Superstep orthotics)

Kelly W.

San Clemente, CA


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Pam

location unknown


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Glen

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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Bill

New Jersey



Thanks so much for answering my question. You've been more help to me than my own Dr. has been lately. Thanks again....I hope to be able to walk without pain someday.

Debbie

location unknown



Wow, that is exactly the information needed!!! thank you thank you thank you!!! I appreciate this help so very much from Marc Mitnick DPM. Excellent information and help to improve One's life.

Chrissy

location unknown



Thanks so much for this website Dr. Marc! It is so nice that you have this ask the doctor feature..I'm sure I'ts been helpful for alot of people. I will try what you suggested and see if it helps...thanks again!

Tracy

Evansville, IA



Dear Marc

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Russ W.

location unknown



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-Sunny.

location unknown



Thank you very much for the information, I will consider it. Excellent web site.

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!

Rivi,

Albany, NY



Thank you so much for all of your advice. In searching the web for people dealing with this same issue i can tell you that you are a Knight In shining Armor! If I lived in Jersey I would gladly be your Spokesperson. Hopefully next time you hear from me it will be good news. God Bless,

Jill S.

location unknown



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Jackie

Whichita, KS



thanks again, this site is very helpful.

mark

Boston, MA



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....Keep up what your doing. Your a life saver.

Michelle

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
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
Again, Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to answer my question....your an angel!

Nancie

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

Julie

location unknown
Thank-you so very much for responding so quickly and in such detail to my question!! I will give my surgeon a call today!! This website is terrific!!!! Thank-you again!

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

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
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


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

Rustam

Bellevue, WA


I cannot thank you enough for your response, opinion, and suggestions! I want you to know how much it means to me, and I'm sure everyone else who has ever asked you a question! I feel like you're a lifesaver and have empowered me to take a stronger role and stand up for myself and my feet!

Jodi

location unknown

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