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

Left foot pain persists for 10 months after impact injury

About 9 months ago, I was stepping over a baby gate, and slammed my left foot against the top of the gate/door frame. I initially assumed I broke my pinky toe and that no treatment was necessary. It swelled and bruised the entire toe and below the toe on top of my foot, and was excruciating to put any weight on. I iced it, elevated it, and wore flip flops for a while because I couldn't tolerate a shoe or sneaker. I then wore sneakers for a couple months. The foot pain persisted and got worse with exercise.


Now all this time later, It continues to be achey and will swell at the base of my toes when I get off my feet at night. The pain is in the area of my left foot beneath my 3rd-5th toes, and I also realized I can't bend the last three toes on that foot. I am also not able to lay my foot on that side because it's too uncomfortable.

I didn't seek medical treatment when it happened because I didn't want to run off to the Dr for a stupid broken toe. Following this incident, my son became ill and we were required to move out of state to seek his treatment, 500 miles from home. We have been living away from home for more than 6 months but hope to be home soon. I'm worried surgery may be in my future, and it won't be pretty :(

I'd appreciate your thoughts on this.

ANSWER
Hi,
I guess you now realize there is no such thing as a "stupid broken toe". Conditions like this, if left untreated can create chronic pain.
I am just guessing here since I cannot see you or an xray, but you may have done more than just "cracked" the bone; you may have actually displaced a frament of bone and of course if part of the bone is far enough away from the rest of the toe bone, it will not heal and will become a constant source of pain.
Toe fractures should be treated just like any other fracture, otherwise you run the risk of complications.
More than likely you will need to see a foot specialist, have an xray, let the doctor decide if surgery is indicated and what type. Sometimes if there is a piece of bone displaced from the rest of the larger bone, that piece is just removed. Other times the fractured bone will be re-attached to the bone.
In either case, you should be able to walk after surgery and assuming you are in good health, should heal uneventfully.

Marc Mitnick DPM
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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

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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.


SITE LAST UPDATED: APRIL 2026




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Unknown location

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Poland
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South Carolina
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San Clemente, CA


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location unknown


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location unknown


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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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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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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
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.

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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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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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