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

pain in ball of foot and tips of toes

It started as pain in the ball of my right foot, felt like I had stepped on a stone. The next morning I had burning pain that felt like it was moving from the middle of my toes down to the ends, and then a burning, pulsing sensation. The next day, the toes felt okay, but the ball of my foot still hurt, and there was burning pain on the outside edge of the foot. There is no discoloration or swelling. Over the past 2 weeks the pain has come and gone every day, and now affects both feet, although not nearly as much in my left foot. Some days the pain starts when I first wake up, some days it is several hours into the workday before it starts, and a few times it started while I was asleep at night. Most days the pain lasts for a few hours at a time.

I am female, 50 years old, and of normal weight with no other health issues.

ANSWER

Hi,
The first thing I would like to note is that it is taking place in both feet although it is worse on the right. What this suggests to me is that it is being caused by a common denominator, either a certain pair of shoes that you are wearing, either high heels or perhaps very thin soled shoes. It could also be caused by some kind of activity that you are doing, like perhaps climbing a ladder, climbing a lot of stairs daily or bending down such as gardening where you force the toes to bend excessively.
The actual cause of your pain sounds most suggestive of a Morton's neuroma which is a pinched nerve that originates in the ball of the foot, but can send abnormal sensations into the toes.
It is important to note that other causes of forefoot pain like capsulitis or intermetatarsal bursitis may also put pressure on the nerve and create neuroma type symptoms without actually being a neuroma.
Obviously, the only way to tell for sure would be to see a foot specialist and get an accurate diagnosis.
Apparently, this problem is now over two weeks old and does not appear to be getting any better, in fact the left foot is also now bothering you. If you can identify the causative problem (shoes, certain activity, etc.) and eliminate it, the pain may begin to subside. If that is not the case for you then this will require medical attention.

Marc Mitnick DPM
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Arthritis Foundation

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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

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University of Florida Health

American Family Physician

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If you happen to live in the New York - New Jersey area and would like to visit our office

Dr. Marc Mitnick

151 Summit Ave.
Summit, NJ 07901
908-522-0761


To make an appointment online or for directions to our office click Dr. Marc Mitnick.

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: MAY 2026




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Orthotics for heel and arch pain for those who must wear dress shoes
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(location unknown)
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(location unknown)
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Unknown location

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Unknown location

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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.

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Florida
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Poland
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South Carolina
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Natalie

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Arlington, VA


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San Clemente, CA


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Pam

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!

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



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Debbie

location unknown



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Chrissy

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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!

Rivi,

Albany, NY



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Jill S.

location unknown



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Jackie

Whichita, KS



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mark

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
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
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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
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


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a mom

location unknown


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Melody

Lenoir, NC


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Bellevue, WA


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Jodi

location unknown

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