Question
Dear Dr. Tsatsos,
(55 year old woman)
Quick background of events possibly a connection with toe pain?
approx. 4-5 weeks ago, violent diarrhea for 1 day,  followed 1 week later with with elbow pain and fingers joint pain. Elbow pain was an "e-coli infection" in elbow with no known entrance of bacteria. (treated with oral anti-biotic)and told finger joint pain was arthritis.
around the same time I developed a sharp pain in my toe when I rolled over in bed on my stomach.  (no pain when walking or touching toe) but when the toe is face down on the bed I still get a painful sharp pain.) Not sure if this is the toe joint.  Very little swelling and after sharp pain will have a little pink color around that area from the cuticle to the joint with soreness.  Could this be a nerve, infection or arthritis?    
(negative tested for gout and rheumatoid arthritis when I was being diagnosed for the elbow infection)
thank u

Answer
Dear Kay,
For your painful toe....Sounds like you may need a second opinion.
Chances are that you have similar arthritis of the toe joint.
An x-ray by a qualified podiatrist would be able to confirm the diagnosis. Also the x-ray would have indications if it was Rheumatoid Arthritis or an infection.
Go see a board certified podiatrist & bring your records with you.
FYI--- gout & rheumatoid arthritis should be determined clinically & then confirmed/refuted with the appropriate labs. A negative lab does not mean you don't have it. Again-a good Board Certified Podiatrist should be able to enlighten you.
Hope This Helps!
and
Good Luck!
The podiatrists of AnkleNFootCenters.com are specialists in foot & ankle pain.
We are located in Chicago & Elmhurst

Dr George Tsatsos & Svetlana Zats
Podiatrist Chicago 60618 & Elmhurst 60126 Podiatrists
Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery & Orthopedics
New South Loop Location-Chicago 60661
AnkleNFoot.com
Runnersdoc.com
BabyFootDoc.com

DISCLAIMER:
This information is offered as free advice and as general information. It may not be applicable to the specific questioner and his/her problem.  It is not based on actual knowledge of the questioner or his/her medical history and it cannot and should not be relied upon as definitive medical opinion or advice.  Reliable medical opinion and advice can only be obtained through hands-on physical contact and exam of the patient to establish an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.  No doctor/patient relationship is created or established here and may not be inferred through answers on this site.  The questioner and other readers must consult his/her own doctor before proceeding or implementing any suggestions contained within this document and answers on this site.  The questioner is only to act upon his/her own doctor抯 orders and recommendations. By reading this posting which follows, the reader fully understands and confirms that he/she holds harmless this writer. If this is not fully agreeable to you, the reader, and/or you have not attained the age of 18 years, you hereby are advised to read no further.