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What Causes Numbness And Pain In Foot?

Posted on Thu, 6 Oct 2016

Question: My foot has been numb for 3 months now. It's not my sattca nerve, mri ruled it out. Xray of foot was fine. I have had two injection shots and they didn't work. No one knows what's causing this or how to stop it. It's very painful,! HELP PLEASE

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I want to know little more about your illness

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have studied your case. Numbness in the toe can be due to neuropathy. Before I advised you anything I would like to know little detail of the illness.
1.Since when you are having these symptoms?
2.Do you have Diabetes or thyroid or Smoking habit?
3.Do you have any pain in night ?
Please send me answers of these questions. I will try my best to help you.
thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (16 minutes later)

3 months ago started off as completely numb from butt to toes.... lasted about 2 weeks
Then it was my foot on fire, just the foot. Lasted about about 3 weeks. And got rid of the burn by acupuncture. And the rest of the time 2 1/2 months I've been dealing with this numbing and nerves going crazy.

2. No, No, not for 5 years & during 10 years it was only society.

3. Not much in the last 6 weeks. Before I was getting shooting pains up the calf.

Are you going to answer me back?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I think it is due to neuropathy

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have studied your case and I think that your pain is due to neuropathy. As you are saying that MRI is normal then other cause of myopathy need to be rule out. I have following suggestions for you.
1.Get a serum B12 and vitamin D3 examination.
2.Get EMG/NCV examination of the foot. It will tell us if there is any nerve compression is present or not.
3.You also need to check for vascular claudication. In patients with smoking history there is chances of vascular narrowing. This can be confirmed with doppler examination or CT angiography. It can also cause such pain.
You need to get these tests done and we can confirm the diagnosis. Meanwhile you can take tablet Pregabalin M for symptomatic relief.I ope these steps will be helpful for you.Let me know if there is any other followup questions.
thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (17 hours later)

yes I have neuropathy. my b12 is right were is supposed to be. just had blood work done on monday. I'm not a diabetic. the emg/ncv test your talking about is that where they stick little needle and listen? cause I had that test done a couple of times, not since the foot issue though. is it ever going to go back to normal? I'm so tired of this feeling, sometimes I feel it would be better not to had this foot. I'm at the point no one has any idea what this is or how to make it better. it is my right foot and it's very painful and after 3 er visits and 2 shots in back nothing is working. everyone wants to give me pain pills. sad part is I put myself in rehab to get off them before this started. I dream it's fine only to wake up and it's still there.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (18 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Neuropathic pain takes time to improve

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I can understand your condition. Neuropathic pain is frustrating both for patient and doctor. There are some cases when there is no obvious causes. EMG/NCV test does involve some needles. You an share your old reports with me.
I would also recommend you to take Pregabalin M tablet at night time. I think this will help. Along with hot water bath for both feet daily half an hour for thirty days. Avoid wearing very tight shoes and prolong standing. And I can assure you that Pregabalin M is not a pain killer.
thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (43 minutes later)

is that a rx or over the counter?
I told my Dr's about this but no thought it had to do with my foot. same leg as foot, I have a huge knot in the back & inner thigh and when my foot is hurting bad I can feel the knot. so if I sit on a heating pad it calms the foot some.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You will need prescription for this

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Tablet Pregabalin M is available with prescription only.As far as knot is concerned I do not think it is related to your foot pain.You can get ultrasound of the knot to confirm the diagnosis.
thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (2 days later)

pregabalin M is that the generic name for lyrica? because I was put on lyrica in the past and within a few days of taking it my skin got blisters on my legs and Dr took me off asap.
these test u said could they do them at the ER? Because every time I have to test like ct/mri/etc... they cost me a lot and if down in er I only pay copay for er visit. I live off of my disability and a family of 3 that doesn't go far.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (20 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Lyrica is pregabalin

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Lyrics is Pregabalin, If you have any allergy to this then you can not take this.I would suggest you to get steroid injection in the spine. It can be given by orthopaedic doctor only. Also taking tablet Medrol 8 mg three times daily is also helpful.
As far as your investigations are concerned then can be done in ER if you tell them that you have very bad pain and can not wait for an appointment.
thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (25 hours later)

family member said it's gout. but when looked up gout it didn't sound like it. my foot is ice cold to the touch. my big toe doesn't hurt. and I don't eat red meat. what do u think? plus wouldn't they have seen it on the xray?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Gout never causes numbness

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Gout usually does not cause numbness and It is seen on x ray in forms of crystal. So for me it is neuropathy.
thanks

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar