Question
Hello. On Saturday at AM I tripped on a toy and hurt my foot. I went to a Dr. the next day and he said I had chipped my toe at the joint and my foot, just wouldn't work but it didn't hurt. It was like, flopping forward and I walked on the side of my foot. I couldn't wiggle my toes, they were tingling, I couldn't raise my foot or lower it or move it to the left (it is the left foot) it would only go inside to the right. He didn't see anything on the Xray as to why so he made me a follow up with a Orthopedic on Monday. By Monday I could move the foot down a bit but still not up or to the outside and I cannot walk flat on it. He said he thinks it may be a nerve damaged but since it improved a bit he thinks it may get better. He gave me crutches but told me to keep trying to walk on it flat, and a post-op shoe, and to come back in two weeks. I unfortunately got online. I read about 'dropped foot' and I am wondering if that is why my foot is leaning to the right so much. I can now put it flat to walk if I consciously try though and it hurts the outside of my ankle. So, should I wear a boot instead of the shoe, would it prevent it since it keeps my foot straight? And, on the side, when I get in a hot tub my toes burn like they have been frozen and are now thawing in the hot water. Is that due to the swelling or the nerve? Thank you so much for your time.

Answer
Hi Amy,

I would seek another opinion and see a podiatrist.  If your foot appears to be in an odd position, there  may have been something missed on x-ray.  Dislocations are commonly missed by some doctors and radiologists alike.  As far as the sensation of toe burning, you have likely damaged the foot nerves from the injury.

I would consider getting an MRI to better evaluate the bone and soft tissue structures.  You may need to have a walking cast and may require physical therapy.

If you find that you continue to have burning in the toes you will need the nerve damage evaluated.  Following foot injuries, it is not uncommon to continue to have burning in the toes or other parts of the foot from the injury.

I often perform CryoMax, for relief of this type of nerve pain.  See my cryosurgery site below.

Good Luck.

Sincerely,

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



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