foot pain

by bev
(missouri)

I had bunion surgery 11 weeks ago. four week into the surgery my grandson broke my foot at the joint. I had to wear a cast for 6 weeks. I has been a week since my cast removal and i am still unable to walk without a walker. just wondering when I might walk without so much pain.

foot pain

by WIlliam
(Scottsdale AZ)

I have a sore spot on my left foot looks kinda like a blister but its not and it have a red line coming out from it going toward my leg

Hi William,

My first thought regarding the red line coming out of it is an infection. Go see a doctor and have this taken care of immediately.
Marc Mitnick DPM

foot pain

Recently I had a fall resulting in a fractured left shoulder, sprained left ankle and badly bruised right foot under insole and around the bottom ankle. The bridge of my right foot is giving me a lot of pain. Xrays did not reveal any major injury. However, after three weeks putting pressure on my feet causes intense pain. I am 74 years old. Do I need to be more concerned than my doctors lack of concern?

Well....if you are in a lot of pain you should be concerned. Even in an older individual pain reduction should be noticeable at three weeks. I would insist on another xray (sometimes fractures do not show up initially). If they are normal then I would recommend physical therapy. If after a couple of weeks and should there be no improvement, I would consider getting an MRI.
Marc Mitnick DPM

foot pain on left foot

by Katrina Freeman
(Zwolle, LA USA)

Last Sunday morning when I woke up I could hardly walk. I had the worst pain in my foot on the left foot on the left side of the foot not far from the bone. It has been over a week and the pain is just gettin worse. I went to the doctor and he didn't tell me anything he just looked at me like I was crazy and gave me a shot and some pills and told me by the next day it shouldn't hurt anymore the pain has only got worse from then also. My family think I should go get a second opinion. The pain that I am having is there all the time it does not go away. At times is shooting pain, and then sometimes it feels like my fooot is going to sleep and it goes up my leg when it does that I try to rest it and it hurts so bad that I cant rest I have been soaking it in warm water and that makes it hurt worse every thing that I have tried seems to make the pain worse I have never had a pain like this it hurts to move my toes that hurts real bad and it also hurts real bad to turn my foot in toward the other one I have a spot that also hurts to touch its beside the ankle bone and its puffy there, and hurts to touch I have been taking the meds the dr gave me for 4 days and nothing I really hope that you can help me I have a 7 year old daughter that needs me to walk and it hurts to bad to do anything.

Hi Katrina,
That is a lot of pain in a foot where there is no history of trauma. Without examining you I have no idea what it is, but I would think a second opinion would be indicated along with at least an xray. If this pain was to persist for a couple of weeks I would also consider an MRI. Go find yourself a doctor who at least acts like he cares.
Marc Mitnick DPM

FOOT PAIN

by PAT
(KANKAKEE IL)

AFTER BREAKING MY LEG THE CAST WAS APPLIED AND TOO MUCH PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE
SMOOTHING IT DOWN AND CAUSED HHE NERVES TO BECOME ENTRAPPED. NOW I HAVE TINGLING-
NUMBNESS NO MOVEMENT IN MY TOES--LEG CRAMPS SEARCHING FOR RELIEF. IT IS MY RIGHT
LEG AND I WAS DRIVING FOR A LIVING---ANY SUGGESTIONS I AM UNABLE TO WORK- HAVE HAD EXTENSIVE THERAPHY BUT NOTHING HELPS

Hi Pat,
Ask your doctor about having a couple of cortisone injections in the area where the nerves are numb, that may help relieve the pressure that is on the nerve.
Marc Mitnick DPM

foot pain

by Mary
(California)

Ok...you might think I am a wacko but this pain is for real. I have flat feet and have ever since I was young. All of sudden my foot started hurting..it felt like it was broke but I knew that wasn't it. There was no swelling and no trauma to the foot. After a week of limping around I went to the doctors and he ordered an xray to rule out a stress fracture. I still haven't got those results. My doctor felt it was metatarsalgia and gave me an antiflammatory. Since I saw my doctor the pain has gotten worse. It is on the top of my foot and the outside now. It still is very painful when I walk without shoes. I wear my inserts that was made for me years ago in tennis shoes and the pain isn't as bad but still have the pain up towards my ankle. After looking at your home page it sounds like I might have the midtarsal fault....is it unusal to have pain in both of the areas at the same time?

Hi Mary,
Yes, you can have the same pain on both feet. Feet that are excessively flat are prone to "breaking down" over time.
I would suggest you consider getting new orthotics with the expectations that you will have to wear them all the time (like eyeglasses), otherwise your feet will continue to deteriorate.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Foot pain

by Cassandra Baine
(Hartford, AL USA)

A few years ago I fell on my left foot. I went to the ER because the swelling and pain felt like i had broken it. They did quick xrays and rushed me out saying nothing could be done that I had not broken my foot. It was extremely painful to walk on for several weeks. The pain has never gone away. Recently over the area where I fell on my foot on the top a knot has formed right now it is about the size of a marble and is painful when touched. It is hard and feels like it is attached to my bone.

Hi Cassandra,
You may have developed a cyst possibly as a result of the fall , maybe just a coincidence. If you have had pain since the fall, I would recommend an MRI as I suspect the pain is from soft tissue and not necessarily bone.
Marc Mitnick DPM

foot and ankle pain

by Carrie
(Albuquerque, NM USA)

I currently have severe lateral foot pain with an old Lisfanc injury (detected on recent CT) from missing three stairs and severly spraining my ankle. I was put in a cast after the sprain for about 6 weeks, but I was not told at the time I had a Lisfranc fracture. Within the past 2 months, I have had two cortisone shots with only minimal pain relief for a couple days after the shots, and I am now going to get custom orthodics.

What I want to know is what are other possible or likely treatments for this problem if cortisone and orthodics do not work?

Hi Carrie,
Well....if it is truly a fracture, the fracture has to be healed. If it does not occur naturally then you may have to consider a bone stimulator or in a worse case scenario, surgery.
Orthotics and cortisone injections are not going to heal a fracture so I do not know why those were offered to you.
You may want to consider getting a second opinion; something does not sound right to me.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Pain

by Erin
(Texas)

A week ago, I injured my heel and the pain has not let up any. The injury occured from my heel hitting our tile floor. It hurts from the time I wake up until the time I go to bed, my doctor sent me for a x-ray of my foot and ankle but it showed nothing. I can't put pressure/weight on it,and I have been walking on the side of my foot for a week and now my calf is starting to hurt due to walking incorrectly. Any ideas of what could be wrong?

Hi Erin,
You must have really banged the heel for it to hurt nonstop like it does. I would be concerned about a small stress fracture in the heel, which might not show up on an initial xray.
If after ten days the heel is still so painful, you might want to consider an additional xray or even an MRI.
Speak with your doctor, but your best bet right now might be to use crutches and not bear weight on the foot. This along with some pain medication might make you much more comfortable.
Marc Mitnick DPM

foot pain

two weeks ago i stepped in a hole and injured my foot. the top of my foot had sharp pains going through it. next weekend i played basketball with the pain in my foot and the pain go terribly worse. went to the er and had an x-ray and they said it was just sprained to stay off of it for 3-5 days. it is now 8 days later and the pain hasnt gotten any better, i am still on crutches because it hurts to bad to apply pressure to my foot. could there be something else wrong or can a sprain be this bad. there is no discoloration or swelling.

Hi,
Sometimes small fractures will not show up or are missed on an xray. There is also the possibility that you have a severe sprain or even a ligament tear.
I am assuming you are reasonably young (play basketball) and so if the foot has not healed in the allotted time, it needs to be re-examined. In this instance I would probably order an MRI to rule out any soft tissue tear and the possibility of a fracture which may have been missed on xray.

Marc Mitnick DPM

DISCLAIMER The information provided here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice by a licensed health care provider. The only way you can get an accurate diagnosis and treatment is by physical examination by a doctor along with a proper medical history and any needed tests. Without a proper evaluation it is impossible for any health care provider to give accurate information. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay treatment because of something you read on this site or any other medical related site.

foot pain

by Heather
(Phoenix, az)

Last Saturday I tripped over my sons shoe he left on the side of bed, rolled my right foot, heard a loud snapping sound followed by intense pain, swelling, and bruising. Went to the ER the 1st doctor who came in said it looked like there was a fracture in the area of the pinky toe. 2nd doctor said everything looked good. I left the hospittal in a soft cast/splint and crutches.the discharge papers say there were no broken bones shown on xray and injury was listed as a spraind ankle with torn ligaments. The pain is still very intense, can not apply pressure to foot, I can't move move the last 2 toes on my right foot. Is this consistant with spained ankles? Is there a possibility the 1st dr. Is correct and there is a chance I have a fractures bone? I went to my dr. For a follow up 4 days after injury she said she has to referme out to a ortho surgeon, which would take about a week before the paperwork would be ready to make an appt. Please let me know what you think...I am having a hard time sleeping due to the pain.

Hi Heather,
Without examining you, it is difficult to tell you what kind of damage you did to yourself, but regardless of the damage your best bet is to stay in the cast and use the crutches until you can see the orthopedist. This way you will avoid doing further damage, keeping in mind that treatment for either a sprain or non-displaced fracture would be immobilization (cast) and non weightbearing (crutches).

Marc Mitnick DPM

foot pain

by Kenny
(Pontotoc, MS)

My foot hurts when I put weight on it. There is a sizable knot on the outside top of my foot. I'm not sure if that is where the actual pain is or not. I can move my toes down but if I pull them backwards or put pressure on them, such as putting on socks, it sends a shooting pain mainly on the outside of the foot. It also hurts at times such as getting in the car when I have to pick my foot up or it turns in a certain position.

Hi Kenny,
Tendonitis of the tendons on top of your foot is generally the cause of pain in the various foot motions you describe. The "knot" may just be an inflammation of the tendons or possibly a cyst.
I do not know how long you have been suffering with this problem but if it lasts longer than two weeks, you will probably need professional care.
In the meantime you can try anti-inflammatory medication (if you can tolerate it), warms soaks and also make sure your shoes are not laced too tight.
Marc Mitnick DPM

foot pain

by Jamie
(Illinois)

On the bottom of my foot on the pad under my small toe I have three small spots that are flat and look something has already come out of them, but nothing ever has. That's just how they stay. And when I walk it feels like little rocks are in there. I have have them ever since I was prego and they have not changed. I treated them like warts but treatment did not work. What could they be?

Hi Jamie,
Probably either warts or porokeratosis (read my section). Just because you could not get rid of them does not mean they are not warts.
I would suggest you see a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis.
Marc Mitnick DPM

foot pain

by Jason

For several months now I've been having pain in my foot that has spread through my whole body which I think is RSD. Over a year ago a pallet jack with a pallet on it weighing probably 2000 lbs if not more rolled onto my toe. At the time I felt the pressure of it but it didn't cause any pain afterwards or break a bone so I just kept going and forgot about it. A few months ago I started having pain in my foot. My question is related to circulation and movement. My big toe when I stand and press down on it my whole foot starts to shake and when I bend my toes inward my big toe is not as flexible and does not bend in as far Could there be a broken tendon or ligament causing this? Also for some reason my toe still looks puffy and swollen not severe but when I'm standing for a long time in shoes not flip flops the bottom of my big toe turns purple and turns pruny and forms pimple like bumps what could be causing this whenever I sit down or put my foot up it returns to a normal pink/red fleshlike appearance. I'm thinking putting pressure on it and wearing shoes that tie up is cutting off circulation somewhere in my foot but my other foot doesn't turn purple at all or starts to wrinkle so I know this is not normal. i notice when im wearing shoes that tie up i get a tense pain in the very top center of my foot so i'm wondering if there is a broken blood vessel in my foot or something but I have no contusion or bruising. the only time this happens is when im wearing shoes. if you can please help me I'd appreciate it I've had an MRI which showed mild edema and an x-ray which showed no fracture what kind of test would I need to show a possible circulation problem in my foot. like i said, it only turns purple and pruny when I put pressure on it so when I go to the doctor and tell them this they think I'm nuts and my toe bends but its not flexible like the other foot and it starts to shake if i press down on it or bend it inward

Hi Jason,
It would not be a far stretch to think that you did some vascular and neurological damage to your toe when the 2000lb pallet rolled over your toe. That would explain the discoloration, particularly because you state it returns to normal color when you elevate the toe.
The stiffness in the toe is more than like due to some ligament or tendon damage, also the result of the accident.
The best person to see would be a vascular specialist for the toe discoloration. I am not so sure there is anything they can do, but it would be wise to have it checked out.
Is this RSD? I do not know but a neurologist or pain management physician would be the one to see to make that diagnosis.
Marc Mitnick DPM

foot and ankle pain

For the past 8 months my left foot and ankle have been my life. Between PT and doctors and surgery it's just been miserable. I have a question though that I plan to ask my surgeon at follow up but would just like a non bias viewpoint. 8 months ago I "sprained" my ankle. The pain was there for 3 months with swelling and limited movement. Finally my general doctor decided to send me for an MRI. The MRI results only showed a problem at the base of my foot (which wasn't causing pain at the time). When the MRI is viewed it looks like a puddle at the base of my foot in a sac? I forget what they called this. Anyways so I got mad because they sent me to a podiatrist that felt just numb the pain instead of trying to solve the pain. One cortisone shot later and I was at an orthopedic surgeon to get a second opinion who sent me to another surgeon who decided surgery would be the best solution. We are now at month 8 and the ankle is healing after discovering in surgery it wasn't just a sprain but 2 torn ligaments and a need to tighten the tendon/ ligament on the outside of the foot to stabalize although it still is painful to move but considering my ankle has been in a boot the whole time it only makes sense. My concern though is the one thing that did show up on the MRI that wasn't causing me problems is now making taking a bath or shower(the only time the foot is allowed out of the boot) a very painful experience. I realize you can only go by what I describe but I was just wondering if it's something that I should be concern about or just hope that the pain goes away? I have obviously had a bad experience with doctors not listening to me and if this is just nothing I'd rather not bug them but I also don't want to be in the boot for another winter.

Hi,
Pain is pain and if you have enough of it you must find the cause. I do not know what this "sac" is on your MRI, although ganglion cyst comes to mind, but one option would be to have another radiologist read the MRI. My opinion is that radiologists are better at reading MRI's because they do it all day long.
Once you have a proper diagnosis, find a doctor who is willing to listen to you.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Foot pain

by Diana
(Michigan)

My left big toe has been causing me grave pain. There is a bone like mass that sticks out on the right side of my toe. It's located on the side and the bottom portion of my toe. I cannot wear heals of any kind, not even a one inch heal. If I do, I get shooting pains (for days after) AND the mass swells, reddens, and becomes inflamed. If I wear flats, it doesn't bother me as much, however I find myself walking on the outside of my foot to compensate. Also, at times I will feel a cool liquid flush in my toe where the mass is. It feels almost like my toe was injected with an ice cold liquid. What could this mass be? What can I do about it? I'm only 28 years old and very athletic. I cannot bear the thought of not being able to run and play sports. I'm already struggling with my daily workouts because of the pain. Please help!!

Hi Diana,
It sounds like what is known as a "pinch callus" which is an overgrowth of bone mainly the results of "rolling off" the inside of the toe when you walk. This can be compounded by the formation of a bursal sac which can exacerbate the symptoms.
If this is actually what you have it can be readily treated by a podiatrist.
Certainly having the amount of pain that you are experiencing would warrant a visit to a podiatrist.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Foot Pain

by patricia
(collierville, tn)

I stand on my feet all day so my feet hurt at the end of my shift. My feet starting hurting on top (did not seem right). Went to see the Doctor, and was diagnosed with low bensity and hairline fractures. Now my right heel hurts so bad that after a day at work it is very painful to walk. I just put my mind to it to get out of work to home. The doctor ordered steel implants for my shoes which help; however, now the top foot pain is creeping back. She will put both feet in boots if I report this pain, and I just do not want this. What can I do at home to improve this problem.

Hi Patricia,
I assume your meant low bone densitiy which may have lead to hairline fractures. If this is the case the best thing you could do is purchase a good pair of arch supports, not the cheap ones that do not really support.
By wearing a good support, you take the stress off the bone and your foot should start to feel better particularly your heel.
You might want to look at the SuperStep orthotics I have available on my website.

Marc Mitnick DPM

foot pain

my mother had a stroke about three months ago now has developed a sore at the bottem of her foot what could be the cause the docter says shes not diabetic

Hi,
You do not have to be diabetic to have a sore on the bottom of your foot. She may have a decubitus ulcer which is a result of too much pressure on one part of the foot, perhaps from sitting too much.
No matter what the source of the wound, it needs to be taken care of.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Chronic debilitating, crushing pain in foot

by Augustus
(New Jersey)

I am a 51 year old man. I Fell about one year ago and may have injured back and sciatica. Had MRI-- have slight disk issue but the Doctors feel nerve damageis the ultimate cause of this pain which-- shoots doen my leg from my butt to my foot ( buttom).

However it is the foot pain that is causing me extreme pain where I can barely walk, shower etc.
it feels like a truck is parked on it.. it is tingling, numb at times, constant and horrific.

I tried Lyrica and many pain killers..-- did not seem to do anything for the pain-- I do not want to be on pain killers either for other reasons such as addiction. I am an alcoholic, sober now, but have not been diagnosed with diabetes...

ANy hope here?

Hi Augustus,
The problem here is that the originating issue is in the lower back but the symptoms are manifesting themselves in the foot, so unless your back issues are addressed there is nothing that cam be done to alleviate the foot pain.
I would suggest consulting with a pain management doctor (usually an anesthesiologist) who may be able to give you some injections in your back in an effort to alleviate your foot pain.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Foot Pain

by Julie Blackford
(Poros Greece)

The top front part of my foot is slightly swollen in whatever shoe I wear. The pain when I walk is very strong. The foot also feels very stiff all of the time. Basically this came from no where and it I am in terrible pain. I had an xray taken yesterday and there is a circular mass or mark on the front of my foot. Could this be the trouble?

Hi Julie,
I have no idea what kind of mass you have on your foot, so it should be followed up.
Most cases of swelling on the top of the foot are due from tendonitis, secondary to a lot of walking. The next common occurrence would be stress fracture, but your xray ruled that out.
Make sure the mass on the xray is nothing to worry about and then think along the lines of tendonitis.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Foot pain

Thank you for answering my question on midtarsal fault with nerve entrapment! Dawn from Ohio

Foot pain

by Holly
(Sparta, NC, USA)

My foot problem is pain on the side and top of my left foot. It occurs daily
and is worsened when I stand for periods of time. I am a teacher and therefore,
stand a lot, so this pain is giving me a fit. The pain began several months ago
after I was exercising on my treadmill. I saw my regular doctor about it this summer. She prescribed Naproxen for pain twice a day, but I feel that the condition is not improving and would like to know if I should seek out a podiatrist.

Thank you,

Holly Wyatt

Hi Holly,
Any musculo-skeletal pain that has persisted for a number of months, is probably not going to disappear any time soon. Your best be would be to see a podiatrist who hopefully will be able to remedy the pain in a short period of time.
Marc Mitnick DPM