Ask The Experts

Most Recent Questions:

• Since 2012, I’ve experienced periods usually lasting several months where I wake up at night with severe pain in my both of my big toes. The pain starts at the base of the nail bed and extends the length of the nail bed. Sometimes it’s so painful the weight of the blanket hurts. During these periods, I notice neither nail grows. The 8 little toenails will grow and need routine clipping, but 2 big toe nails don’t grow. Eventually they start growing again but when they do, there’s a large horizontal ridge across each nail. During these periods, I soak in Epsom salt bath nightly. There isn’t any discoloration. I've been to the doctor who says there’s no infection and no fungus. What could cause this? How can I prevent it from happening?
• I'm 60 and I've had a bad leg with a stent in the groin as well as numbness on the shin & top of foot from back issues that I had for many years. Last week I now have the sensation that under my foot at the base of my two toes on the ball of the foot closest to the big toe it feels like the skin in a dollar coin size flops loose when I walk similar to if you had a coin in your sock when you step the coin pulls away & then back as you step down. There is no pain from the area from this issue. My back has issues and I have a nerve blocker in my spinal cord at the neck to control shoulder pain and I'm on opiates to deal with the pain as well. This issue sounds weird I know but I actually check the skin tightness on the spot to make sure it's not loose but that's the sensation I get. Crazy I know. Thanks for the help I'm seeing my cardiovascular doctor soon to rule out any chance of circulation issues.
• I injured my calf exercising 2 days ago. I can barely walk or move that leg. Could I have torn a ligament, tendon, or muscle?
• I have burning from my toes to the bottom on the soles of both feet. I have some chronic medical issues, but the foot pain is so bad I cannot even rest or sleep.
• What would cause my big toe to become sore and have redness around the toenail? Don`t remember hitting it on anything!
• My right heel woke me up, throbbing. When I walk on it it hurts. I can use the front of my foot, & that doesn't hurt. There is no bruise, no swelling. I just finished up 5weeks of radiation last week for breast cancer. My business is standing all day. What can I do?
• My question is can you have gout attacks in different parts of your feet at the same time. Both my feet around my ankles and balls of feet are sore.
• Doctor has checked blood circulation and it was good, but I have sharp pains just sitting around and then it feels like I have a shoe on when I am barefoot. My feet day or night are always freezing cold even with sock and shoe on?
• My arch hurts and sometimes bottom of foot as well.
• Why are my feet nearly always deep red on the soles and feel like painful dead wood?
• I was born with club foot, and this led to me walking on my toes as a child and still now as a 16 year old. What is this condition called? I remember being told it's because of a tightening in my calves too. I used to wear splints on my calf for 3 years, morning and night, I also had Botox injections and my legs in casts, but was told the Botox helped loosen my muscles.
• I need to know why my ring toe has gone black for no reason. It is painful and feels like it will explode. I had this happen last year on my left pinky toe. It came outta nowhere and the only thing I can think of is both times I started taking Chantix before the bruising/blackening/pain started.
• What is causing the top and outside of my foot to hurt and my last two toes are swollen and I cant move them?
• My right heel started getting sore about a week ago. It is progressively getting worse. Feels like a deep bruise but no bruising, did not injure it. Starting to wake me at night with aching, and is sore to walk on.
• The last few days my instep is extremely sore just to walk, but going up and down stairs is the worst. I don't know that I did anything to cause an injury. I do have diabetes type 2, but would like to know if I should put ice or heat on the spot to help with the pain.
• Can Hemochromatosis cause foot pain?
• What can be the cause of my foot bottom being red? It hurts sometimes. I am a plus-size woman.
• I am a 53 year old female with no bruising, no visible swelling. My lower calf, and [the area] under it hurt when walking and fees tight. No real twist turn of ankle. Did walk on stepper, but not long and feel if that is cause would be gone by now. No hotness to area. Should I just go to doctor, or keep treating with hot and cold?
• I have extreme foot pain, and am unable to wear socks or footwear. What treatment would you suggest?
• I have a constant pulling feeling in the bottom of my feet from each toe to the bottom of my arches, like strings being pulled.
• My granny has overweight feet but no pain. What might be the problem?
• When I first get up out of bed, I feel like I'm walking on bone, I stretch and it goes away. However, during the day, I have sharp pains that shoot up through the bottom of my heel and a nagging burn on the inside of my right foot below my ankle. What is that burning sensation? It's been going on for about two weeks now.
• Podiatrist says reason not able to walk on foot is uncontrolled diabetes. It has caused foot and lower leg to swell and bones are turning soft like putty. Want to know more info on this condition.
• Once diagnosed with toenail fungus. Does it last forever or is there a treatment that will cure it? My doctor prescribed ciclopirox gel and terbinafine.
• On the top half of my left foot an extensive deep purple bruise appeared today. No external forces caused the issue. I am a 59 year old male with severe rheumatoid arthritis. I am a long-term steroid user, as well as other meds. Any ideas as to causal issues? Please advise.
• How long would the patient wear the insulated socks for cold feet?
• Can you explain the treatment for stress fracture of the heel?
• What causes the bottom of your feet to hurt?
• I have been trying to get a diagnosis on regular monthly foot pain in 3 middle metatarsal joints of my left foot. The pain has lasted 5 years, every month, same time of the month, lasts 7 to 10 days. Mild to severe.
• What do I do - the bottom of the front pads and most of my toes are getting worse and worse. They feel numb and tingly and its getting worse very rapidly.
• I have a lumpy feelings on the soles of my feet front front of arch to toes. It's as if my socks or sole is bunched up but they aren't.
• I have developed redness on the sole of my feet. Have used the new Aspercreme with 4% Lidocaine. It helps but does not ever go away, especially when I walk a lot. I need to cushion the sole of my feet to be more comfortable.
• I went walking yesterday (on concrete and asphalt) and the middle toe on my left foot is partly black. Should I be concerned and will that go away?
• 2 yrs ago a stack of chairs fell on the toes of my right foot at work. There is still discomfort when wriggling toes.
• I have extreme pain and swelling on the top of my foot at the base of the 3rd, 4th and last toes.
• Intense pain for one year on inside of foot near arch.Orthotics did not help. All the time, day or night. I do yoga or pilates 5x a week.
• I had fatty pads removed in my foot due to infection and now I have permanent damage and can barely walk without severe pain. I have no cushion anymore and severe scar tissue due to infection. Did doctor do something wrong by not adding cushion back? I can’t do a lot of things I used to because walking hurts now. Thank you.
• I have neuropathy in both of my feet. Am I in danger of losing my feet?
• I have an inflamed nerve on the top of my foot. I can barely walk on it and there is nothing but shooting pain going through my entire foot. I asked doctors to treat it and they refuse. I have lupus and they think it may be the results of a flare up I had 2 weeks prior. What do I do now?
• If I'm able to walk without any real pain on a foot that's not sprained but has a medial or other minor fracture, would I still need a boot cast if I don't do a lot of walking for a few weeks?
• Do you have any idea why my calf would cramp up while I'm asleep?
• I have some numbness in the balls of my feet and feel like I'm walking on rocks. I get intense itching on occasion with no relief for about 30 minutes. A podiatrist could not find anything wrong with x-rays. I have had this for at least 5 years now and it's driving me crazy. Any idea what I could be dealing with? I do not have diabetes.
• Hi I am a South Asian. A ladle fell on my foot and there was a bluish (or purplish) discoloration in my toe immediately. The coloration was not red anytime after the injury. Though it was not red colored any time, can it be a bruise? What else can it be? Thanks.
• Do plantars warts grow between toes and spread to the next toe?
• Where can I purchase tools to remove corns & fix ingrown toenails?
• I was wondering if medical treatment for diabetic feet is free in Nova Scotia like in Ontario.
• Swollen left foot and very tender to the touch. Have tried hot and cold baths and foot elevated for hours and the pain gets worse even when trying to sleep.
• Why do I have a lot of pain in my ankles and feet when I try to get up and walk?
• Is it normal to have pain from plantar fasciitis all day and not just in the morning?
• Many problems with left foot, including a pronounced tailor's bunion (beside the little toe for most of my life) plantar faciitis in heel, hammer toes, and most recently, a painful corn between the little toe and the 4th toe. I am 75 and in good health. What's happening to my poor foot?
• I suffer from gout in my knee and foot. Its connected. I want to use this app to verify what I am dealing with.
• I get a blood blister on the bottom of my big toes if I walk too much. What causes this? Very difficult to get healed up.
• What causes foot pain in ball of feet, sides and top of feet?
• Looking for product to relieve foot pain.
• I have a 1 mm hole between the 2nd & 3rd toe on the sole of the foot. The pain usually starts low but occasionally flares up. It seems similar to metatarsalgia, however when I take off my shoes and either walk or rub them it goes away.
• Since yesterday I have huge pain in the center of my left heel. Today it radiates up to my knee. What should I do?
• What made my foot wake me up in the middle of the night? I have severe pain in the top of my foot for no apparent reason. It feels broken - such extreme pain that it hurts when the bed covers touch it.
• I have pain in the ball and heel of my foot at the same time.
• I have bruising on the top of my foot under my ankle. I also have a nice little cut and knot on the front of my leg for about a month. Is this normal?
• Can toe nail fungus spread to other parts of the body?
• What could be causing the pain in my right big toe and heel?
• I have a blackened toenail on the big toe of my right foot. It hasn't caused me any pain yet, but would it be wise to have a doctor remove it so it could not cause any other health problems?
• What causes cold toes?
• Sharp pain in 3 small toes in left foot.
• The calf of my right leg is killing me for a year, plus my foot hurts.
• I have got a throbbing pain in 2 or 3 toes on one foot. I was wondering if you could tell me what it could be?
• What does it mean when you get short brief ache in toes and then it comes and goes?
• Have MS for 20 years. The pain in my feet is so bad I had to go on disability.
• Hi, can Morton's neuroma cause pain in the lower leg right above ankle? I'm not sure I have this but it does feel like my sock is bunched up.
• Have a corn on a hammer toe, next to big toe right foot. Went to Podiatrist last week and he did not remove corn and not sure why. Would most doctors have tried to remove a corn like that? Corn hurts but mostly depends on shoes I wear; the softer top the better.
• What causes a very sharp, stinging and stabbing pain on the side of the left toe like the server or muscle in the area is damaged?.
• I am 80. Have lived a sedentary life. No sports injuries. Just lessening of foot padding over the years, a bit of heel pain on one foot and very peculiar sensations in both feet with movement of toes--all together--going both upward and downward. When I do this, there is a feeling of my toes being restrained with rubber bands or cords of some kind. On the other hand, when I merely push against the bottoms of my feet all over the soles, there is no pain or strangeness of any kind. Is this something having to do with muscles, nerves or tendons?
• I would like the name of a proven successful doctor to remove bunions in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.
• What could cause my feet to stay red and burn and itch?
• My big toenail is loose 3/4 of the way down to base of nail. Think I have toenail fungus. Can I cut the loose part as far as I can so I can get medicine in all the way? Thank you.
• I am suffering from peripheral neuropathy and my feet soles are burning. Can it be cured? Thank you.
• In addition to severe pain under my big toe, I can see a tiny hole in the callous. How can it be treated to cure it? I cannot walk.
• I have extremely dry heels along with a breaking out; my heel has a large, deep split along the side of it, about 2" long. My dermatologist said to use Super Glue. Is that recommended and what about infection and pain?
• I’m experiencing shooting pain from my big toe through the top of my foot into the ankle.
• I have 2 black nails on big toes, my feet burn, turn red, hurt, legs burn, and I'd like to know why.
• My feet burn and have jabbing pain. At night they feel ice cold but are not.
• Hi. I read the article on HandFoot while undergoing chemo but I have not had chemo in 6 years and the bottom of one foot cracks and peels NO MATTER what I do! I've tried all kinds of creams, OTC and prescribed! They all seem to work and then they just stop! I use a white ankle sock always - I even wear it under a dark color sock. Do you think its from the chemo and do you have any suggestions on what else I can try? I had breast cancer.
• What's causing a tearing sensation on the inner side of my left foot? Sensation occurs when applying pressure on the front part of foot when walking.
• What would be your recommended hammer toe corrector?
• I have a 4mm diameter bone cyst (hole in bone) in the 4th metatarsal (CT scan) which an orthopedic surgeon called a stress fracture. What are the best ways to heal from this? Surgeon is recommending surgery because it is believed I have had this for several years, but I want to get it to heal on its own if possible. I have chosen to get on crutches (knee scooter), foot boot, acupuncture, & kinesio tape. I am a hiker, 60 years old.
• My 2nd toe on right foot really hurts.
• I have severe pain in my left big toe!! For over two years, I haven't been able to sleep.
• I have seen my podiatrist and was diagnosed with a displaced fat pad to my left foot due to a fallen arch and hammertoes. She recommended [a specific brand of] inserts and to wear "neutral" sneakers that are a 1/2 size bigger for a larger toe box. I am a nurse and on my feet for 12 hour shifts. My current work shoes are causing increased pain and wondering what running shoes or other shoe would help? Is there a more aggressive insert I should be looking into to help get the fat pad in a more 'normal' alignment?
• I have a bunion on my left foot and it really hurts while I'm at work. I was wondering if surgery is the best thing for it.
• My girlfriend has pain in the bottom center of her foot near the beginning of her arch. One time the pain shot up the nerve in her leg...is this possible nerve strain? Any advice or recommendations?
• My toe next to my little toe on my right foot burns after I have a pair of shoes on for a while. What do you think is causing this pain?
• The bottoms of both my feet are quite painful. I started using my custom orthotics again but wore them all day everyday for the past 5 days. Still no relief. I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes but corrected that with my diet? What should I do?
• My Mom's toe is red and hurts. Can you tell me what it could be?
• What can I put on dry cracked heels?
• My ankle is swollen and it hurts more when I put pressure on it. Can it be broken? And it hurts when I try to move it.
• I rolled my ankle and felt a distinct pop. I was able to walk immediately and have continued to walk. It is, however, quite swollen and visibly bruised. The pain is pretty minimal. Can I keep it iced, elevated, and wear a boot or do I definitely need an x-ray? What dangers should I be concerned about?
• I have a sharp intense pain on the top of my foot. It is about the size of a half dollar and in in a direct line toward the pain area from the big toe. I have had ultra sound, x-rays, finding no results as to what is causing the pain. The pain is sharp and intense for about 3 days and calm with no pain for about 3 days.
• Can you also develop ankle spurs?
• My doctor says I have a tight Achilles tendon and the ball of my foot has very little padding, which is causing pain at the base of my toes. We have tried custom supports with little relief. Other options?
• The second and third toes were red, now are black.