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

Pain in arches and sharp shooting pain

by Lee
(Now in CT)

About 6 months ago I used to do in home walking on a very hard surface after which there would be times when my shins would ache, the bottom of my feet would hurt and my toes were numb. I decided it was not working and quit. At the time I lived in a tropical climate and although the weather was nice for walking outdoors my neighborhood was not the safest; I quit all together. I'm 5'3 and 212 lbs female (yes, I know im severly over weight) Because I lived in the tropics for two years I took up wearing flip flops almost everywhere I went even to work sometimes.In July I went to the gym severa times without incident. Well about 3 weeks ago I noticed the bottom of my right foot would ache a little then eventually it intensified. One morning I woke up and stepping out of bed hurt my heels so I decided to step on my tippy toes. I went to see two Drs. who said it was Plantar Fasciitis. My problem now is that a few times I get sharp, shooting pain in my big toes to the point where I curl them up. The pain last for a few seconds but its intense. I had my Dr. check for gout and my uric acid level was fine. I'm really scared and have been full of anxiety because I'm not sure what could cause this. I have a bunion in both big toes but never had problems before.


Hi Lee,
Undoubtedly the plantar fasciitis that you developed was a result of wearing flip flops (no support) and your weight. This was compounded by the fact that you were walking for exercise.
Hopefully, one of the podiatrists you saw offered you some sort of orthotic to support your arches along with other treatment including but not limited to anti-inflammatory medication (assuming you can tolerate it) as well as physical therapy and perhaps even night splints to reduce the morning pain.
If aggressively treated you should be able to overcome most of the plantarfascial pain.
As far as the pain in the big toes, without examining you, I am not sure what is causing that. It may be related to the plantar fasciitis. Why not see a podiatrist in Conn. and see what can be done for the pain in the toes?
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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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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Scotland
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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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Tampa, Florida 33624

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UK

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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

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Unknown location

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Pacific Grove, CA

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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
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Thanks, Kathy

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

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Poland
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South Carolina
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Natalie

unknown location


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Arlington, VA


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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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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



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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



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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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Jill S.

location unknown



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Jackie

Whichita, KS



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Boston, MA



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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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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

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
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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


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

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Bellevue, WA


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Jodi

location unknown