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What Causes Minor Pain In The Left Foot While On Ibuprofen?
Question: Hello,
For a few days I was experiencing some minor pain in my left foot, localized on my three smallest toes (not the big toe or the one next to it, those are painless). Yesterday I woke up and the pain was a little worse, causing me to slightly limp. But it was manageable. I foolishly went for a walk last night for about 1.5 miles, towards the end I was limping. But it was still manageable. This morning I woke up and the pain was even worse. I've stayed in bed all day as it's difficult to walk on or put any weigh on.
The pain is mainly in my 3 smallest toes on my left foot and really hurts when touching the ball of the foot, which hurts, too. The pain seems to be right at the joins where the toes meet the main part of the foot. It has gotten slightly better througout the day as I can make a fist with the foot with minor pain after not being able to do that earlier but it still hurts to walk. I don't notice any swelling but my foot is slightly warm to the touch.
I've iced it a little bit and taken some ibuprofen.
I haven't gone to the doctor yet because as I've looked up my symptoms online, it does seem that the most likely issues all simply require rest and ice etc.
I should also add that I walk a lot for exercise and I foolishly have been walking in old sneakers.
Any insight would be appreciated.
For a few days I was experiencing some minor pain in my left foot, localized on my three smallest toes (not the big toe or the one next to it, those are painless). Yesterday I woke up and the pain was a little worse, causing me to slightly limp. But it was manageable. I foolishly went for a walk last night for about 1.5 miles, towards the end I was limping. But it was still manageable. This morning I woke up and the pain was even worse. I've stayed in bed all day as it's difficult to walk on or put any weigh on.
The pain is mainly in my 3 smallest toes on my left foot and really hurts when touching the ball of the foot, which hurts, too. The pain seems to be right at the joins where the toes meet the main part of the foot. It has gotten slightly better througout the day as I can make a fist with the foot with minor pain after not being able to do that earlier but it still hurts to walk. I don't notice any swelling but my foot is slightly warm to the touch.
I've iced it a little bit and taken some ibuprofen.
I haven't gone to the doctor yet because as I've looked up my symptoms online, it does seem that the most likely issues all simply require rest and ice etc.
I should also add that I walk a lot for exercise and I foolishly have been walking in old sneakers.
Any insight would be appreciated.
Brief Answer:
Few more additions to management .
Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxxxxx.
Thanks for using Health care magic for your health concern.I understand it.
Your problem of pain in last 3 bones of leg could be due to many causes like -
-Metatarsalgia (inflammation of heads of metatarsal bones .. where they meet feet.
-arthritis rheumatoid/gout- beginning of the conditions.
-Diabetes which can cause over weight & periferal neuropathy ...&the pain.
As you do not mention any history of joint pains or diabetes... & are doing high impact exercise of walking long way ... metatarsalgia seems to be more possibility in your case... we would discuss it ... still I would suggest investgations to rule out other causes as suggested by your doctor after examining you.
* Now about metatarsalgia-The risk factors include..
wrong foot wear ..which is too tight around toes/high heals..worne out foot wears having lack of balance &undue pressure on toes.
Over weight
High impact exercises.. exerting more stress to head of metatarsal bones..also pressing small nerve endings between two boes . In such case pain is more with weight bearing.
*Management- it necesserily consists of rest to the part (early movements would worsen the problem)
You have correctly used ice packs &ibuprofen pills . ..should continue till the pain goes away.
In case pain worsens.. doctor may inject (if needful)steriods locally to reliev inflammation earlier...
Start using proper insoles/metatarsal bars when you start moving.
Change the exercise to cycling or swimming.. where pressure on metatarsals is nil.
I hope that helps. If you have anyfollow up query,please feel free to ask.
Thanks.
Few more additions to management .
Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxxxxx.
Thanks for using Health care magic for your health concern.I understand it.
Your problem of pain in last 3 bones of leg could be due to many causes like -
-Metatarsalgia (inflammation of heads of metatarsal bones .. where they meet feet.
-arthritis rheumatoid/gout- beginning of the conditions.
-Diabetes which can cause over weight & periferal neuropathy ...&the pain.
As you do not mention any history of joint pains or diabetes... & are doing high impact exercise of walking long way ... metatarsalgia seems to be more possibility in your case... we would discuss it ... still I would suggest investgations to rule out other causes as suggested by your doctor after examining you.
* Now about metatarsalgia-The risk factors include..
wrong foot wear ..which is too tight around toes/high heals..worne out foot wears having lack of balance &undue pressure on toes.
Over weight
High impact exercises.. exerting more stress to head of metatarsal bones..also pressing small nerve endings between two boes . In such case pain is more with weight bearing.
*Management- it necesserily consists of rest to the part (early movements would worsen the problem)
You have correctly used ice packs &ibuprofen pills . ..should continue till the pain goes away.
In case pain worsens.. doctor may inject (if needful)steriods locally to reliev inflammation earlier...
Start using proper insoles/metatarsal bars when you start moving.
Change the exercise to cycling or swimming.. where pressure on metatarsals is nil.
I hope that helps. If you have anyfollow up query,please feel free to ask.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Thank you, Dr.
I figured it was metatarsalgia based on the symptoms etc. I mentioned that the pain was very mild until yesterday. Is it possible I simply really aggravated it by continuing to walk on it? And I am overweight so there is added weight.
With rest, ice and ibuprofen, how long does this usually take to go away? When should I expect relief?
Thanks,
Matt
I figured it was metatarsalgia based on the symptoms etc. I mentioned that the pain was very mild until yesterday. Is it possible I simply really aggravated it by continuing to walk on it? And I am overweight so there is added weight.
With rest, ice and ibuprofen, how long does this usually take to go away? When should I expect relief?
Thanks,
Matt
Brief Answer:
Complete recovery would take 1.5 to 2 months.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Mr xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx,
Thanks for the follow up query.
*Yes,the symptoms seem to be aggravated due to the continued walking.
*When it is clinically confirmed to be a metatarsalgia causing you the symptoms...recovery would be through few
Phases...
-Acute phase to be managed by rest,icing,compression bandages&elevation.This phase lasts for 1 to 4 days depending on severity of symptoms.
-After the pain without pressure stops,non weight bearing abulation can be recomended.(with help of a stick or crutches & at the same time physiotherapist would start with passive movements ,increasing the range gradually.
Use of metatarsal pads/orthotic devices help in pain relief while walking . Change of foot wear is suggested this time.
-when pain on pressure &inflammation is totally gone physical therapy is advised for restoration of biomechanism &relief from pain with pressure.
* Going through all these phases.. complete relief would take aboout 1.5 to 2 months.(depending on the severity of pain&healing capasity)
If there is no relief consultation of an orthopedic surgeon is needful.
I feel that answers your query.Any follow up query is welcome.
Thank you.
Complete recovery would take 1.5 to 2 months.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Mr xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx,
Thanks for the follow up query.
*Yes,the symptoms seem to be aggravated due to the continued walking.
*When it is clinically confirmed to be a metatarsalgia causing you the symptoms...recovery would be through few
Phases...
-Acute phase to be managed by rest,icing,compression bandages&elevation.This phase lasts for 1 to 4 days depending on severity of symptoms.
-After the pain without pressure stops,non weight bearing abulation can be recomended.(with help of a stick or crutches & at the same time physiotherapist would start with passive movements ,increasing the range gradually.
Use of metatarsal pads/orthotic devices help in pain relief while walking . Change of foot wear is suggested this time.
-when pain on pressure &inflammation is totally gone physical therapy is advised for restoration of biomechanism &relief from pain with pressure.
* Going through all these phases.. complete relief would take aboout 1.5 to 2 months.(depending on the severity of pain&healing capasity)
If there is no relief consultation of an orthopedic surgeon is needful.
I feel that answers your query.Any follow up query is welcome.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Thanks again, Dr.
I do have another query.
So I had to leave the house today and put on sneakeers for the first time since the pain became bad. I noticed the pain was relieved slightly with my sneakers tied tightly and it was easier to walk in the sneakers, in fact I was able to walk without a limp or pain in my sneakers as long as I walked gingerly. Is that consistent with metataralgia?
Thanks!
I do have another query.
So I had to leave the house today and put on sneakeers for the first time since the pain became bad. I noticed the pain was relieved slightly with my sneakers tied tightly and it was easier to walk in the sneakers, in fact I was able to walk without a limp or pain in my sneakers as long as I walked gingerly. Is that consistent with metataralgia?
Thanks!
Brief Answer:
Better to consult experts before jumping to routine.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Mr.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx,
Thanks for the follow up query.
The possible easy walk youhad after the acute pain in foot metatarsal heads area could be due to..
-It being the early stage of the metatarsalgia.. was soothed with acute stage management &you colud walk with comparitive non weight bearing care (tight tying of snookers & gingerly walk)
-arthritis being controled by ibuprofen pills &test.
-neurogenic pain soothed by icing &ibuprofen
(All of these have been discussed in previous answers)
*In this scenario.. it is better to consult an orthopedic surgeon/podiligist/physitherapist.. in order to have exact diagnosis,to know about suitable shoes &metatarsal supports &to start preventive &curetive physiotherapy &then start your routime more safely .
I hope that satisfies you.Any follow up query is welcome.
Thanks.
Better to consult experts before jumping to routine.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Mr.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx,
Thanks for the follow up query.
The possible easy walk youhad after the acute pain in foot metatarsal heads area could be due to..
-It being the early stage of the metatarsalgia.. was soothed with acute stage management &you colud walk with comparitive non weight bearing care (tight tying of snookers & gingerly walk)
-arthritis being controled by ibuprofen pills &test.
-neurogenic pain soothed by icing &ibuprofen
(All of these have been discussed in previous answers)
*In this scenario.. it is better to consult an orthopedic surgeon/podiligist/physitherapist.. in order to have exact diagnosis,to know about suitable shoes &metatarsal supports &to start preventive &curetive physiotherapy &then start your routime more safely .
I hope that satisfies you.Any follow up query is welcome.
Thanks.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Answered by
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