What is wrong with my toe
My toe went numb 2 weeks ago. I was working as a boom operator which put me on a ladder a lot as well as a lot of pressure on my big toe, A LOT. Average around 10 hours a day. When my toe went numb I wasn’t sure what to do, keep working, stop working etc.. I had never heard of such things before. I am pretty sure it is nerve in the toe and not my back because the whole toe isnt numb, just the left side and top of my right big toe, exactly where I lean on it. I went to a doctor because someone on a forum said that the nerve could be dieing. I went to a neurologist who didn’t help much. He tested my reflexes and felt my back then poked me with a pin all over. Then he staed “the nerve is probably damaged in my toe. NO SHIT. He then stated it should take a week or two for the nerve to “regrow” or what not. If the toe is still numb after that he said I need a electronic nerve test and a mri……
It has been 2 weeks now with no avail, toe is still numb. It is really frustrating because I want to work really really bad and can’t figure out if I do work if it will do permanent damage or what.Please help me if you can this toe thing has been a nightmare and I really want to get it figured out.
1 Comment found
Vivian Abrams DPM
I am sorry the doctors were not more helpful. The nerves that are injured are sensory nerves, not motor nerves. So you can still walk, you can’t feel as normal. As far as the nerve recovering, that can range from weeks to months, depending on the degree of the injury. An EMG/NCV is the test the neurologist mentioned. It involves sticking needle electrodes in you and testing the speed that the nerves are conducting. BTW, it isn’t alot of fun. An MRI might or might not be helpful. It might show a fracture or tendonitis. It will not show any nerve injury. You did not mention several things such as is this the first time this happened, what shoes were you wearing, your weight, foot type, what type of ladder, do you have any other medical conditions such as diabetes or arthritis, do you have any other foot problems.