Question
Hi,

I saw a podiatrist last Monday and he confirmed I had a small fracture at the base (joint) of my third toe.  He showed me how to wrap my foot/toe each day and gave me a surgical shoe.  I didn't see him until 3 weeks post fracture, as I did not know until the pain just never got better.  Anyway, on Thursday I accidentally dropped a liter of mouthwash (full bottle) on my unprotected foot in the same exact spot!  It hurt, but I wrapped it, put on the shoe and went about my day.  That night, took off the wrap saw it was blue and purple but not real swollen.  Called the podiatrists office and they said to come in tomorrow to make sure treatment will remain the same.  I have two questions.... Since it's in the same spot, shouldn't treatment remain the same?  I understand I could have made it worse, but really, what else would they do?  Secondly, since this second injury, I have this very strange feeling in my foot.  At different times it will feel like a rush of warmth rushing across the top of my foot.  It happens many times per day.  Nothing is numb and the bruise is closer to the top by my 3rd toe.  But this "heat" feeling covers the whole top of my foot.  Have you ever heard of this and could it be related to the injury?

Answer
Hi Michelle,

You may have worsened the toe fracture into the joint or dislocated the joint so I would see the podiatrist.  The treatment may be different.  With an injury, there will be a repair response from the body that may produce warmth.  There could also be some minor nerve damage.

Sincerely,

Marc Katz, DPM
Tampa, FL
Advanced Podiatry
www.thetampapodiatrist.com
www.tampacryosurgery.com

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