Brief Answer:
Possible infection

Detailed Answer:
Good morning. My name is Dr. Saghafi and I am a neurologist. The urgency with which you need to have this looked at by a professional depends on a couple of key points. One would be, are you an overweight person? How much so? The greater your weight over the ideal limit the more risk you may be at for this sore to break down and become disseminated and more troublesome. Second very important point. Are you diabetic or do you have a peripheral neuropathy for some other reason? Again, if this sore has developed as the result of a mild infection a strike to the foot that you may not have felt due to a peripheral neuropathy then, it should be looked at quickly.

The fact that you tell me you have a drop foot on the side of the problem suggests that you are at least suffering from a radiculopathy of some sort or perhaps even a neuropathy as drop foot is commonly seen in diabetic patients.

My guess is that you somehow struck the foot since you are not perfectly able to lift it while walking or climbing stairs and just didn't notice anything. It has now either become infected and swollen or you may have an accumulation of blood from an "internal bruise." In any event you should get this looked at and dealt with just as soon as possible. While infections in the foot don't easily disseminate the problem is they can infiltrate bony structures since there isn't much distance to the bone from the point of the swelling.

This then, becomes a real potential problem if the bone gets infected. You do not want that scenario to play out.

Bottom line- Icing is Ok but will do little if there is an infection in play. My suggestion is that a doctor look at this swollen and tender area today if possible. If you don't have a private doctor then, an ER visit is justified in my opinion, given the information you've provided.

Good luck.

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