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

stepped on nail

by mark
(san bernardino ca.)

ball below pinkie toe. very little blood, next morning pain came. it's been 3 weeks. swelling went down, but still there. pain on/off. walking depends on pain level, which can be incessant throbbing that part of foot. i believe i'm past the tetanus worry. question is this typical heal time, take pain killers and quit whining, or this a real reason to see a Dr.(antibiotics, xray, unaware)? Aready tried urgent care for 3 hours w my kid, got tired of waiting, went home and drank beer instead(gotta go to work, man). Thank you for no b/s answer, i cant afford it to get worse but hate waiting all day for Dr. to give me motrin, prescribe time, and chopping away at my year max cov.

RESPONSE

Hi Mark,

I will keep this short.
Three weeks and still having problems is not normal and for that reason I would suggest you see a doctor. Make an appointment with someone like a podiatrist, dermatologist or perhaps an orthopedist as you don't want to waste your time with a doctor who is not familiar with puncture wounds.

Marc Mitnick DPM
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Mar 13, 2017
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No B/S answer!
by: mark

Thank you, I don't need the long reason of "why", just "what should i do". People sometimes want to hear professionals to tell them the best advise, not how many years it took to learn that advise or question my logic(intelgnc), esp. when in pain.

Also for being prompt, i'll check back after i go this route...mark

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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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(location unknown)

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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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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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unknown location

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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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Seattle, WA

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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

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Evansville, IA

Dear Marc

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Russ W.

location unknown

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location unknown

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Jackie

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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....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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location unknown

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Wisconsin

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

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

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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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Rustam

Bellevue, WA

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Jodi

location unknown

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stepped on nail

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