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What Causes Pain In The Toe Radiating To The Foot?

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Posted on Mon, 17 Oct 2016
Question: I have, from time to time, pain in the big toe and the area traveling into the lower foot. It is dificcult (meaning painful) to walk with this. Usually, it is gone in the morning and may not return for weeks. Yesterday it hit in the middle of theday, continued throughout the day and is still present this morning. I am 69 years old, still a working high school teacher. 6ft, 280 lbs
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Please give additional information

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
Noted the history and understood your concerns.
Please give some additional information so that I can assist you better:
Is it one sided or both?
Since when is the problem present?
What is the type/character of pain- burning, throbbing, pin pricks or so?
Any history of local trauma or to spine in past?
Any medical disease like diabetes or so?
Please mention the exact area that is affected.
Any investigations of blood, X-ray?

Awaiting for your feedback.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)
1. Right big toe only
2. Intermittent over the last year (approx)
3.Constant, burn-like. Increases when flexing toe upward; painful when walking.
4.I did have the bottle drop on the toe several months ago, but this feeling proceeded that incident, and the pain comes and goes. It will be gone for weeks and then reappear. I don't believe that I have felt this for 3 months prior to this latest incidence which began on Friday.
5. No diabetes; "essential" high blood pressure, but I am out of the medication (Lisinopril) and can't get any more until I physically see the doctor (which is difficult)
6. No blood work or x-ray
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
As described below

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your feedback.
Your feedback is suggestive of the following causes:
- The pain could have been due to nerve entrapment supplying this particular area if there is no local changes of swelling and redness.
- Can be osteoarthritis of the joint, the recurrent nature of pain may be instigated by tight footwear or faulty placement of the front part of the foot.

Whether this is nerve entrapment or osteoarthritis, you need to consult Orthopedic Surgeon to find out the probable cause and give further further management.
- Another possibility is of teno-synovitis in which there is recurrent inflammation of the tendons, its sheath or at its insertion on the bone.

Do you get any redness or swelling when in pain?Does mere touching also causes pain?


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (5 hours later)
There is some redness and swelling. It is painful when I put some pressure (push lightly) on the area, but not simply to the touch. It does seem the tendon area is the most sensitive.
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
warm fomentation in saturated common salt solution

Detailed Answer:
Then it may be teno-synovitis.
Get a confirmation by consulting an Orthopedic Surgeon.
Soaking the foot in warm supersaturated saline solution by adding common salt to water help a lot. Use the same solution every time. Always check the temperature first by putting hand as the sensitivity of foot is less.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. T Chandrakant

General Surgeon

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 19778 Questions

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What Causes Pain In The Toe Radiating To The Foot?

Brief Answer: Please give additional information Detailed Answer: Hi. Thanks for your query. Noted the history and understood your concerns. Please give some additional information so that I can assist you better: Is it one sided or both? Since when is the problem present? What is the type/character of pain- burning, throbbing, pin pricks or so? Any history of local trauma or to spine in past? Any medical disease like diabetes or so? Please mention the exact area that is affected. Any investigations of blood, X-ray? Awaiting for your feedback.