What Causes Pain In The Pad Of My Foot Just Below The Toes?

Posted on Fri, 13 Mar 2015

Question: Pain in the pad of my foot just below my toes

Answered by Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Possible peripheral neuropathy - more details necessary.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query.

Based on your query and after going through your previous query, my opinion is as follows:

1. As it is a burning pain, neuropathy needs to be ruled out. Usually Vit B12 and alpha lipoic acid supplements will be helpful, if it is peripheral neuropathy.

I do need more details:

a. Was there any injury, before the start of pain?
b. Is it tender to press? if yes?, are there any external wounds or lesions?
c. Is it on both the toes?
d. Back pain started recently, or was it present previously?
e. Where is the steroids injection being given? at what location?
f. What type of foot wear are your using? Soft cushion ones or hard ones? Have you tried soft cushion ones? Any recent change in foot wear?
g. Any associated anemia?
h. Does the pain increase after your walk for some time? is it a throbbing pain or burning pain?
i. Any associated chronic diseases like diabetes, sickle cell anemia, abnormal lipid profile, etc.

Do get back with these details.

Its possibly neuropathic pain. In the mean time, you can start supplements as suggested above. If it is neuropathy, it will take 2-3 weeks to reduce. In the meantime, you can take gabapentin or pregabalin for pain. If it is neuropathic, you will get good relief.

You will need prescription from your doctor for this.

Hope it helps. Do get back with answers to the queries above.
Dr. Prakash HM

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

Follow up: Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda (13 hours later)

There was no injury. It is not tender to press. It is not on the toes but the area below the toes on the upper sole of my foot. The back pain is from my body "splinting" to avoid the pain of pressing down on the pad of my right foot. I only took the stroids orally. I previously had leg pains that were diagnosed as mild stenosis in my lower spine (inflamation of nerve endings). I am know thinking that is the connection causing the pain which is more burning than throbbing, like having broken glass in my foot. It is also starting a little in my left foot, again causing me to think it is spine and nerve related.

Answered by Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Ortho opinion for bony spur necessary.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking again.

The feeling of having broken glass in foot, more likely could be due to a bony spur.

However,If I am understanding you correctly, it could be the sole of the foot, where the pain is present. X-ray would not show inflammation, but rather it would show a bony spur. Meet an orthopedic surgeon for X-ray and evaluation of bony spur.

Any inflammation would have been suppressed, especially of spinal canal.

I would not suggest spine related, as it is starting in left foot - As the probability of altered gait could be causing this to start pain on the left side. Before meeting a spine specialist, do get a ortho opinion for bony spur or any local cause.

Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.

Dr. Prakash HM

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