Question
HI Dr. For a couple of months now I have had sharp pains come and go in my left foot. It feels like a bone is broke and the sharp end is pushing into the ball of the foot. Also when this happens I cannot walk on my foot at all. the pains then move almost up towards my toes, my 2 toes on the end sometimes go numb from it. This is starting to happen on a weekly basis now and happens when I wear flat shoes or heels.

Answer
This Elmhurst Podiatrist says....

It is either a neuroma or metarsalgia.
A neuroma is usually aggravated by tight shoes,feels numbing to adjacent toes and the pain is relieved by removing the shoe and rubbing the area. Metatarsalgia is the irritation of the ball of the foot and can involve a single joint. Stepping on it with high heels-which puts more pressure in the area and with flats which will also put more pressure on that area due to tight calves-which usually occurs in women who wear heels.
Check out our website at AnkleNFoot.com for additional onfo on neuromas and metatarsalgia.
Both can be treated conservatively with well made orthotics/orthoses,injections,oral anti-inflammatories, and/or physical therapy
Try a comfortable pair of gym shoes, icing, rest and Advil or Alleve for a few days-if no go, or gets worse then...
Go see a good Board Certified Podiatrist who is also a foot surgery expert.
Hope this helps!
Good Luck My Friend!

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

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