Question
I'm 21 years old and have been at a job which involves walking all day for about three years. Since the start of my job, I've had moderate generalized foot pain. Then about two years ago I had an episode where my right big toe became swollen, red, hot, and very painful. Since then I've had occasions where my toes, that one toe in particular, becomes red, hot and painful. Recently I worked especially long hours and experienced severe, sharp shooting pain where my right big toe connects to the ball of my foot. My toes had some mild swelling, which is fairly typical after a hard shift. The strange thing is that the left side of my right big toe has been numb ever since. It has been three days now. I am wondering if I have a pinched nerve, or some sort of arthritis?

Answer
Hi Kaylee,

I would see a podiatrist and have a foot x-ray.  You may have arthritis of the large toe joint.  Your symptoms sound similar to a condition called gout, that should be checked as well.  Numbness in the toe may come from the swelling or pressure from the shoe causing nerve compression.

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

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