Question
Hello.  I've had pain when walking on my left foot for about two weeks or so.  The pain is on the ball of my foot and around the 2nd and 3rd toes (big toe being the 1st toe).  I noticed two days ago that my 2nd and 3rd toes are now separating.  I went to my PC doctor yesterday and they did x-rays and called me today and I believe they said I have a HEEL spur, but I don't have any pain on or around my heel.  Could I have misunderstood them - I was on another phone call at work when they called?  She said to take Motrin or other anti-inflammatory and some kind of cushion support under my foot.  I'm to call back if it's not better in a couple weeks.  Does a heel spur make sense for the pain I'm experiencing and the toes separating?  Thank you for your time.

Answer
Hi Anne,

The pain and seperation of the toes has nothing to do with a heel spur.  Unfortunately many doctors make a diagnosis based on an x-ray without actually listening to your complaint.  I can take an x-ray of people with no foot and around 25% will have a heel spur.

The pain that you describe can come from inflammation of the joints, a cyst or mass behind the toes or a nerve enlargement known as a neuroma.  The best advice would be to see a podiatrist and have an exam.  An ultrasound would be a better diagnostic test and possibly an MRI if necessary.  This should find the problem and a podiatrist is certainly the best trained to give you the proper treatment.

Good Luck.

Sincerely,

Marc Katz, DPM
Tampa, FL
Advanced Podiatry
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