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What Causes Pain And Tingling Sensation In The Feet?
Question: Hi. I'm a 57 year old healthy female. I've been experiencing tingling in both feet when going to bed at night for a few weeks. A week ago I woke up unable to put weight on my left foot (no injury). Pain was on the outside of the ankle and going about 3" up. After 2 days of limping, was suddenly able to walk fine and with very minimal pain. However, ankle has been swollen everyday since. Now, the right ankle is also slightly swollen but no pain. The tingling/numbness has now also been intermittent through the day in both feet. Any ideas? I do play pickleball 4 days/week and yoga and tai chi once a week but have been doing so for a few years without any issues so I don't think it's related to sports or shoes. Thanks.
Brief Answer:
Rule out arthritis
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for trusting HealthcareMagic for your health concern
The pain and swelling in the joint you noticed is likely due to arthritis. Since the ankle joint is affected first possible gouty arthritis is an important concern. It occurs due to uric acid crystallization in the joint.
Xray of the ankle joint, synovial fluid analysis and blood uric acid levels are required to confirm the diagnosis.
Please be advised to follow up with your primary care provider for further evaluation and management.
Meanwhile, you can take Advil 400 mg 4 times daily to help with pain.
Also ,continue using ice, compression and elevation as you are already doing.
Hope this answers your question
Please address further questions here
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi
Rule out arthritis
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for trusting HealthcareMagic for your health concern
The pain and swelling in the joint you noticed is likely due to arthritis. Since the ankle joint is affected first possible gouty arthritis is an important concern. It occurs due to uric acid crystallization in the joint.
Xray of the ankle joint, synovial fluid analysis and blood uric acid levels are required to confirm the diagnosis.
Please be advised to follow up with your primary care provider for further evaluation and management.
Meanwhile, you can take Advil 400 mg 4 times daily to help with pain.
Also ,continue using ice, compression and elevation as you are already doing.
Hope this answers your question
Please address further questions here
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Gouty arthritis sounds like it would be very painful. I have no pain in the right ankle and the pain in the left ankle is minimal and seems more related to a tendon than bone. At its worse, the issue with my left ankle was more of not being able to walk due to an inability to flex it, plus a pain level of about 4. At this point, pain level is a 1 and only comes with stretching/standing on toes. The swelling is down upon wakening but both ankles swell quickly after starting the day. Tingling in both feet is almost constant now at rest but I don't seem to notice it when active. Also, I do have some minor bulging discs in thoracic and lumbar spine. Was wondering if that could be the reason for tingling except it doesn't run down the legs, it's just in the feet. Does it still sound arthritis related? Thanks.
Brief Answer:
Follow up answer
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
The tingling sensation is unlikely due to the disc problem, as you are experiencing pain only in feet. Peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes is an important consideration.
I'd recommend that you undergo blood sugar analysis and nerve conduction studies to rule out/confirm peripheral neuropathy and diabetes.
Swelling and pain are suggestive of arthritis mostly. As you've mentioned, gout is usually associated with the significant amount of pain. Since you are heading the pain as a 4, other forms of inflammatory arthritis and osteoarthritis should be ruled out.
In some individuals, even though arthritis can present with insignificant pain.So, it is important to get at least a Xray of the affected joints done as the initial evaluation.
Please be advised to follow up with your primary care provider to undergo necessary evaluation.
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi
Follow up answer
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
The tingling sensation is unlikely due to the disc problem, as you are experiencing pain only in feet. Peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes is an important consideration.
I'd recommend that you undergo blood sugar analysis and nerve conduction studies to rule out/confirm peripheral neuropathy and diabetes.
Swelling and pain are suggestive of arthritis mostly. As you've mentioned, gout is usually associated with the significant amount of pain. Since you are heading the pain as a 4, other forms of inflammatory arthritis and osteoarthritis should be ruled out.
In some individuals, even though arthritis can present with insignificant pain.So, it is important to get at least a Xray of the affected joints done as the initial evaluation.
Please be advised to follow up with your primary care provider to undergo necessary evaluation.
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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