Foot pain/bunion

[LookingforAnswers15]

Hi all,

Today, while wearing shoes, which I wear almost every day, normal flats, and never had any problems with them, I started feeling pain on my left side of the foot, around my small toe. Had no idea that this area is also considered a bunion (I learned earlier when I googled foot pain). I took a nap and woke up with excruciating pain and could barely walk. I really do not know what to make out of it. I am icing the foot. I do not know if I would call it ironic or stroke of luck, I was scheduled to have an x-ray of my hands and feet today, which I did and now I am waiting for the results but because of this sudden pain, I have to admit that I am getting worried. Has anyone experienced this type of pain before?

[Ennis-TX]

Funny my right foot started having extreme pain along the right side from the ball of the little toe down the side then up in and around a area behind the connection to my leg above the heel in that dimple. Could not walk on it at all and had a friend who was a massage therapist look at it and she spent 20 mins getting breaking up crunchies, and getting it to relax (Pain kept it pulling tight). She had me ice it afterwards and inquired into my shoes then insisted I get new ones with better support. Seems to have fixed the issue, I had worn my inside shoes completely flat on the inside.   Perhaps you might be lucky and it just be a fix like this.

[plumbago]

I have a friend - a guy - who has that kind of bunion - by the baby toe on his left foot. He used to play soccer. Not sure what he did about it, but I can offer my perspective of having a big toe bunion, which I've had for over 20 years. "Bunionectomy" is a possibility, but I've been warned by a relative not to do it. Meanwhile, I've met a lot of people who've had it more recently than my relative who are happy with it. What's lacking from their testimonials is the perspective of time: the most it had been for those recent bunionectomies was 5 years, which is not really sufficient to say yay or nay, IMO.

More relevant, though, is what I do about it now. It's kind of a pain, but I will often wrap it/tape it. And, as the kind of bunion I have was caused by walking on built up heels, I tend to do the opposite and build up (but just ever so slightly) the forefoot in my shoes (a little like a moonshoe, if you've heard of them).

Anyway, lots more to say on the topic, and what I've said is not directly applicable to your situation, I'll see if I can find something more useful.

Plumbago

[cristiana]

I can tell you that I have extreme pain on occasions with my two bunions (big toes). Often it takes the form of a really sharp 'bolt from the blue' type pain with absolutely no warning. Other times it is a slow burning feeling that has woken me at night.  Then it subsides for months.  I had it particularly badly before my diagnosis when my blood readings were showing a lot of inflammation. I will still get it again if I wear tight shoes/high heels.  I look at our future Queen Catherine, here in England, and wince when I see her walking in those ultra high shoes. Just looking at those shoes makes my feet hurt!

It will be interesting to see what your X-ray reveals. My tip is go for comfort every time and get a good podiatrist.  If it turns out you have a problem brewing there they give excellent advice and can adapt shoes to slow the progress if bunions are a problem.  Not sure if this is good for feet but I walk barefoot around the house as much as I can and love summer sandals!

The other thing is I get pain where I had a suspected fractured a toe - twenty years on.  Is it possible you have an old injury that you have forgotten about?

[LookingforAnswers15]

Dear all,

thank you for your suggestions. I am not feeling any better. It is an excruciating pain. My dr. thinks that I either hit my foot or somehow twisted it. According to her, it is not swollen a lot. However, it is difficult for me to walk. After speaking with my mom, she thought it could be gout. Luckily, my toe has not changed color. In general, I avoid taking painkillers as much as possible but with this kind of pain, it is impossible not to take them. My x-ray came back ok, thanks God. However, my foot began hurting after I had an x-ray. One of my neighbors said that her husband broke his small toe without even realizing it and it was in so much pain as well. It would be crazy if I hurt my foot on my way from x-ray to work :(.

[cristiana]

I hope you are feeling a bit better now - I;m sorry, have only just seen your reply.

I wonder if it could be some sort of damage to a nerve.  Let us know how you are getting on.