Question
I woke up yesterday with a pain on the bottom side of my big toe on my left foot. It was pretty sore to walk on and even just while sitting or laying I could feel pain in it. I went for a walk later that day (not a good idea I know) and it hurt while I was walking but when I stopped it became much worse. I now cannot walk without a limp and my foot feels a little swollen but not much if any. Putting any weight on my foot hurts and it is pretty painful just sitting around. I cannot curl my big toe downward and I have a few places on the bottom of my foot near the big toe that are really painful to touch. Someone mentioned gout but I don't eat meatand I'm only 26. Previously to waking up with the pain I had been doing alot of walking. Please let me know if you have any idea what this is because I have a job where I'm on my feet all day.  

Answer
Hi Beverly,

Gout is a very real possibility even at 26. There are many causes of gout and eating meat can but will not necessarily cause gout.  I have had patients that take amino acid supplements or they are on a high protein diet and they get gout.
The other consideration is a stress fracture in that area of the foot.
I would see a Podiatrist for an x-ray and have some blood drawn to check your uric acid levels.  This is the chemical that causes gout when it rises too high in your blood.  
See info below:
http://thetampapodiatrist.com/document_disorders.cfm?id=184

Sincerely,

Marc Katz, DPM
Tampa, FL
Advanced Podiatry
www.thetampapodiatrist.com
www.tampacryosurgery.com
www.fix-my-foot.com