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

Weird knot after bunion/hammertoe surgery

by Teresa
(Austin, Tx.)

In March 2010 I had bunion removed and at same time Dr. fixed the toe next to it, it was a hammertoe. Eight months later (Nov.) there appears a super hard lump on bottom of foot directly under second toe(ex-hammertoe) that feels like a bone. I went back to surgeon and he looks all surprised like he had never seen this before. He makes orthotics that don't help at all. I clean houses for a living. This is unacceptable. My back got all messed up because I was walking on this foot sideways because of this knot which felt like walking on a pebble. My chiropractor said it was scar tissue. Is there any treatment I can do for this ? I want the ball of my foot back to normal. This same surgeon had done surgery to remove bunion on other foot about 5 yrs. ago. It was great! I am very put off by his "duh, I don't know what this is" reaction.


Hi Teresa,
Unless the surgeon actually did any "cutting" on the bottom of the toe, there would not be scar tissue there. Some hammertoe procedures do require cutting on the bottom of the toe.
I am not sure by your description if there is a lump under the skin, or this lump appears in the skin (there is a difference). If it is in the skin it is probably a skin cyst and is easily treated.
If it is under the skin and it is not bone, have an MRI performed to see what it is.
Again, I am sorry for being so vague because I do not know exactly where in the toe (besides the bottom), this hard spot is occurring.
Sometimes, when a portion of bone is removed, if it is not smoothed out, it can have rough edges which will also irritate and be painful.
My best piece of advice would be to go get a second opinion.
Marc Mitnick DPM

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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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(items I prescribe in the office)


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


SuperStepOrthotics

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


redithotics

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Fla.
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(location unknown)
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Memphis, TN
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Scotland
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J. Simmons

(location unknown)
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Tennessee
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Redondo Beach, CA
Thank you for your time and expertise in answering my question…..

LH

(location unknown)
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(location unknown)
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(location unknown)
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Madison, Alabama
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Denison, TX
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Texas
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Tampa, Florida 33624

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UK

Dear Dr.Mitnick

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Regards,

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Edmonton,Canada

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South Africa

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Mansfield Ctr, CT

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Placentia, California

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Unknown

Unknown location

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Unknown location

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Pacific Grove, CA

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All the best,

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Alameda, California

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Anonymous



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New Zealand

Thank You for my answer! I have been schedule for a bone density scan, allingment, and I am in the process of getting orthotics made, and checking out the natural remedies. Thank again! What a great web site!

Sincerely

Josette

Yes I want both pair of orthotics. You don't have an option of ordering 2 at one time so I had to place the order twice. Thanks. My husband likes these and wants to put them in all of his shoes. (referring to Superstep orthotics)

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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.

Thanks, Kathy

Florida
1st of all THANKS A LOT for your great site......

Anna

Poland
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M P

South Carolina
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Natalie

unknown location


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Gary

Arlington, VA


Thank you so very much, that would be much appreciated. I love those insoles, by the way. (referring to Superstep orthotics)

Kelly W.

San Clemente, CA


Dr Marc is fantastic...He seems to know exactly what you are feeling with the problems you are having. I wish he was in my home town so I could go to him with my problems!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pam

location unknown


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Glen

location unknown


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Bre

location unknown


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!

anonymous



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Anna

Poland



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Seattle, WA


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Bonnie

location unknown



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Bill

New Jersey



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Debbie

location unknown



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Chrissy

location unknown



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Tracy

Evansville, IA



Dear Marc

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Russ W.

location unknown



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-Sunny.

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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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
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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
Thank-you so very much for responding so quickly and in such detail to my question!! I will give my surgeon a call today!! This website is terrific!!!! Thank-you again!

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
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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


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!!

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Lenoir, NC


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Bellevue, WA


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Jodi

location unknown