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

Toe numbness and tingly

by Lisa
(Johnson City, NY US)

I've been experiencing for a couple of years now toe numbness and tingly feelings on both feet mainly my left foot on the 2nd and 3rd toes (sometimes the 4th, never the big toe) while walking and/or exercising (biking, aerobics, walking through the mall, hiking, etc). Then, on my left foot the ball part of my foot (just bellow the toes that go numb) will hurt, like I’ve stepped on a rock (bruised feeling) and on my right foot the outer part of my foot will hurt (burns) and my heel would hurt, again like I’ve stepped on a rock (bruised feeling). After I’ve stopped walking or exercising, the feeling would come back in my feet and they would ache, my toes would hurt like someone has stomped on them or like their thawing out after being out side during winter for hours.

I’ve noticed that when I do my Aerobics Walking DVD my feet, especially my left foot will start to throb – very intensely. I don’t have my sneakers tied too tight; I’ve made a point of making sure that they are a little loose. AND I’ve tried different sneakers. I don’t have top of the line sneakers, I do have 1 pair of Nikes. BUT a few times when I just couldn’t stand it any longer I would take my sneakers off and tried doing the Aerobics Walking DVD in my socks and eventually my feet/foot will stop throbbing and would be fine, they would ache and are sore however, but I can continue where as if I had kept my sneakers on I wouldn’t be able to continue, at least not without my left foot being in a lot of pain.

Hi Lisa,
Without examining your feet it would be difficult to assess your problem, but the numbness in the ball and toes of your left foot sounds like a Morton's neuroma (see my section on Mortons neuroma), the other pains sound like they are due to excessive impact which is what aerobics will do to a pair of feet.
You need to see a podiatrist who can adequately assess you, your activities and the shoes that you are wearing. I would not be surprised if a pair of orthotics would be recommended to you.
Marc Mitnick DPM

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Sep 26, 2010
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Toes and foot tingley and ache from an accident
by: Barry

ok alittle over a year and a half ago. I accidently hit my shine with a 10 lb short handled sledge hammer. Also please note i am a type 2 diabetic..

When I first looked at the area I hit. All I saw was a small white spot area, and I didnt really feel anything. A couple of hours later my shine area on my leg began to somewhat ache. So I raised my pant leg up to take alook at the area.
At that time I noticed I had some big swelled up knot. I would say maybe 2 no more than 3 inches around with a big black dot in the middle...which looked to me like a blood blister. When I got home I popped the blister.

A couple of days later my leg swelled up and I went to the ER. They told me I had some sort of an infection and refered me to someone at the local health clinic since I didnt have health insurance.

I was given 2 kinds of anti biotics to treat what they called cellulitis. But the clinic gave me the 2nd anti bitotic due to it wasnt cellulitis.

During all this time I noticed a small somewhat like hole where I popped the blood blister. It was almost as if I could see the bone in my leg. But the clinic said it was normal... it was also draining alot as well. They took a sample of the fluid and never heard anything else about it.

Its beena year and a half now...the area where I hit my leg is somewhat still red, and my toe below it are some what numb but tingley at the tip of the 2nd and 3rd toe. As for the last 2 months...I am finding it difficult to bend my big toe around the first digit from the end. Its as if the skin isnt long enough cause it feels like it is pulling the skin tight around the toe nail area.

Now as for the past 2 weeks... i am now noticing pain around the ball area of my foot...sometimes tolerable and sometimes not.

Now some people say I should get it looked at or they may have to cut off my foot. I am afraid to have to have that done...so what is it thats going on or what advice would you give?

Thanks..

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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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Arizona

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location unknown

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location unknown

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Bre

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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!

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Seattle, WA

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New Jersey

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Evansville, IA

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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!

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Albany, NY

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Whichita, KS

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Boston, MA

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Colorado

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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.

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location unknown

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Canada

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Wisconsin

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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.

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Your webpage is excellent, I commend you on sharing your knowledge to the public.

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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

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Lenoir, NC

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Bellevue, WA

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Jodi

location unknown

Toe numbness and tingly

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