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

sudden night-time pain in same foot of my 9 year old

by Virginia
(Franklin, TN)

My 9 year old daughter has struggled with foot pain for several years now. This started around age 5 or 6 and was intermittent so I called it "growing pains". However, after an xray showed a small circular area in the mid foot bone, we visited 2 podiatrists and a pediatric orthopedic specialist at Vanderbilt University. So far we haven't gotten a lot of answers. The last doctor ordered a bone scan of her foot to see if there was a calcification in the mid arch area. The scan was ok and they suggested blood work to rule out other issues. The blood work was fine so now they are suggesting an MRI of her back.

Hers is mostly at night, only one foot and she wakes up shaking in tears from the pain. I give her ibuprofen and rubbed as best I could and after about an hour she usually calms down and goes back to sleep. I hate to see her in so much pain! She was very scared during the bone scan and does not want to have an iv to go to sleep for the MRI and she doesn't complain of back pain. Could this be related to the back? Her pain is in the mid foot region. Her second toe slightly overlaps her first toe, but we were told she would probably out grow that. Also, her foot that has pain (the left one) is about a half size smaller than the right. She is also has low arches but we don't seem to see a correlation between activity or shoe type and the pain. Any recommendations?? Thank you for your help, signed a very concerned mom :)

Hi Virginia,
Of course it is very difficult to make a diagnosis when I cannot examine the patient, but the one thing that jumped out at me in your explanation is the fact that you say she is flatfooted.
When a person is flatfooted the muscles in the lower leg has to overwork, particularly if she is active during the day. It would not be a big stretch to suggest that the "overworking" of her leg muscles is causing her pain at night.
Have you tried any kind of arch support. As a "test" I would purchase a pair of off the shelf orthotics (like the ones I have on my website) and have your daughter wear them during the day and see if it alleviates the pain at night. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. It is actually a very common occurrence in children who are excessively flat footed.
I would also followup on the spot on her foot with an MRI just to make sure it is nothing.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Comments for sudden night-time pain in same foot of my 9 year old

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Sep 07, 2010
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Help I have the same thing
by: Anonymous

I am 56 and have had this same thing but only every two or three years. Always at night - always the left foot and always subsides after 6-8 hours. The pain is debilitating. Two days ago it happened again and this time I did end up with a slight amount of swelling and redness.

May 26, 2009
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9 year old foot pain
by: Anonymous

i have a 9 year old son who is very active athlete...he too is almost in tears at night complaining my feet hurt...he is flat footed and we have always had him in orthoditics we even have orthosin his cleets...he has also said his one ankel hurts....i feel so bad if his feet hurt this much at age 9 what is to come??? any advise/comments would be great.

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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

MY PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS(items I prescribe in the office)

Orthotics for multiple types of foot pain best buy in a pre-made orthotic click link below

Orthotics for heel and arch pain for those who must wear dress shoes click link below

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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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South Carolina

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Arlington, VA

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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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Bill

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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location unknown

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Evansville, IA

Dear Marc

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Russ W.

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

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

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.

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Canada

I just wanted to say that I am very greatful for this website!! I have had a fusion in my rt foot and am finally getting a little bit better......

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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

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

I have read your website and I have to admit that I am amazed at all the information that is on here. I have learned more than the three years I have been going to several doctors that I have seen!!

Melody

Lenoir, NC

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

Rustam

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

sudden night-time pain in same foot of my 9 year old

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