Question
I was doing some research online to determine if I should go see a doctor or give my foot injury a few days.  I have pain on the bottom of my foot on the outside, midway between the tip of my piggy toe and the back of my heal; about a half inch before the my foot comes into the narrowest part before the ankle.  The pain started after I walked around in flip flops this weekend.  I spent the majority of the day in flip flops walking around on Saturday with no problems, but I developed pain (that's sharp when I put weight on my foot) after walking around in flip flops on Sunday (which were slightly slippery for a bit after I got a pedicure).  Unfortunately, I was about .5 miles from home and walked home on the painful foot.  I'm trying to figure out, based on the fact that it resulted from flip flops and maybe the slippery flip flops, it it's more likely just a strain or if it could be a stress fracture.  I've been icing it, staying off of it as much as possible and wearing very supportive sneakers when I have to be on it.  Thanks for any knowledge/advise you can lend.  

Answer
Hi Carrie,

The area that you describe sounds like the fifth metatarsal. At the base of this bone there are tendon attachments that are easily strained with overuse and improper foot support.  The tendon is called the Peroneus Brevis tendon.
This is a good reference article and picture:

http://www.eorthopod.com/eorthopodV2/index.php/fuseaction/topics.detail/ID/3a680...

This can be a common area for a fracture but normally after a twisting injury.  It is not a common area for a stress fracture but still a possibility.  You can commonly strain this foot tendon and even have a small tear.

If the pain persists I would see a Podiatrist for x-rays and treatment.  Remember RICE, rest, ice, compression and elevation.

Hope that helps.

Sincerely,

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