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Pain between the 4th and 5th metarsals

by Deborah Godfrey
(Enterprise,AL 36330)

I am a walker. I usually walk 3 miles /day. 1 year ago, I developed a stress fracture in one of the small bones on top of my foot. I was in a cast for 3 months and non-weight bearing. The foot has been re-xrayed twice since then. I am now having excruciating pain between the 4th and 5th metarsals. The pain isn't in the same area that it was with the fracture. The doctor is stumped. He had me see a podiatrist who fitted me with an orthotic device for my shoe thinking that the extra support will ease the pain. The pain has gotten worse since I've been wearing the device. It puts more pressure on the top of my foot and causes much more pain. It even hurts to just touch a specific spot. I don't know where to turn from here. They seem to be stumped by my pain. I'm finding it very difficult to wear any shoe that puts any amount of pressure on the top of my foot. Any suggestions? There has never been any swelling or redness in the area at all. It is in an area about the size of a pea. Deborah Godfrey

Hi Deborah,
A couple of thoughts come to mind. The possibility that the stress fracture is not healed and an x-ray is not showing this. Secondly, the pain is between the fourth and fifth metatarsal bones so there is always the possibility of a neuroma, even though that is not the most common place for one, they can occur there. However, generally neuroma pain will be on the bottom of the foot and you state the pain appears to be on the top.
I would think the prudent move would be to have an MRI for two reasons. If the bone is still fractured, the MRI should reveal this and if not, the MRI should be able to reveal any soft tissue pathology that may be the source of your pain.
There is always the possibility that the MRI will show nothing and if that is the case I would recommend considering physical therapy as a way to reduce your pain.
Marc Mitnick DPM

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J. Simmons

(location unknown)

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Yours truly,

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Tennessee

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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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Madison, Alabama

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Denison, TX

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South Africa

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Mansfield Ctr, CT

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Placentia, California

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Unknown

Unknown location

I received the orthotics Monday afternoon and began wearing them Tuesday. After two days I would say that I have noticed a huge improvement in the discomfort I have been experiencing. My foot feels better than it has in months.

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Unknown location

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Pacific Grove, CA

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Alameda, California

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New Zealand

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Sincerely

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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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Arlington, VA

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San Clemente, CA

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location unknown

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location unknown

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Bre

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!

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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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location unknown

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Evansville, IA

Dear Marc

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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!

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Albany, NY

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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.

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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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Wisconsin

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

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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

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

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Lenoir, NC

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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

Pain between the 4th and 5th metarsals

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