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pain in the big toe (great hallux)

(22 discussions)

I had a procedure called a winnograd hallux about 2 months ago on the right big toe. Since I have had nothing but extreme pain and still can’t get into a closed toe shoe. Do you know of anything that may help? I had a family doctor tell me to ask about putting it in a cast for a few weeks…could this help?
Thank You for your time. Karen S.

Best Answers

Vivian Abrams DPM

Vivian Abrams DPM

I am in McKinney, TX which is about 25 miles north of Dallas.Usually you can find out online what other doctors participate in your insurance plan. Some will even list the credentials (i.e. board certified) In the interim, even without seeing you, I think it would be prudent to use crutches to help off load your weight. Walking on the side of your foot is going to hurt in another area.

Vivian Abrams DPM

Vivian Abrams DPM

Do you have a friendly pharmacist who does compounding? That is where they custom blend topical medications in a gel base. Not all pharmacists do. If you can find one, ask them about any mixtures they have made up for situations like yours. If you can find one, ask him/her for a suggestion and get your doctor to write for it. Probably your insurance won't pay for it. I have had mine make up various mixtures with local anesthetics, antiinflammatories, muscle relaxers etc. You might be able to rub this mixture on your toe and get some relief.P.S. I am sorry you have Shingles. I know this is quite painful.

Vivian Abrams DPM

Vivian Abrams DPM

For another perspective on the situation.

Vivian Abrams DPM

Vivian Abrams DPM

Without seeing this I can not say for sure, but one thing that strikes me as a possibility is Shingles. Have you seen a neurologist?

Vivian Abrams DPM

Vivian Abrams DPM

I am not a big fan of ignoring a patient's question. I can not answer this for you since I am not there. I hope the injection helps you. I feel that if you are not improving- still consider getting another opinion. Good luck.

Vivian Abrams DPM

Vivian Abrams DPM

You are welcome.

Vivian Abrams DPM

Vivian Abrams DPM

I still recommend you see another doctor. Filing a complaint isn't going to help your present situation. Truthfully, I do not run this site and answer these posts hoping to cause problems. If you live near where I practice I would offer to evaluate your foot and discuss what I felt was going on with you in person.

Vivian Abrams DPM

Vivian Abrams DPM

I recommend you get another opinion from a Board certified podiatrist. There is much information that can be obtained from seeing your foot vs. describing it. Good luck.

Vivian Abrams DPM

Vivian Abrams DPM

Without seeing your toe, I can't really understand what a cast would do for this. An examination might show a possible post op problem such as an underlying bone spur, nail regrowth or even a nerve entrapment.If you are not willing to return to the doctor who did this, see another podiatrist.


22 comments

    Vivian Abrams DPM

    9 10

    Without seeing your toe, I can’t really understand what a cast would do for this. An examination might show a possible post op problem such as an underlying bone spur, nail regrowth or even a nerve entrapment.If you are not willing to return to the doctor who did this, see another podiatrist.

    Vivian Abrams DPM

    9 10

    I recommend you get another opinion from a Board certified podiatrist. There is much information that can be obtained from seeing your foot vs. describing it. Good luck.

    Avatar

    9 10

    Do you know where I send a formal complaint about a doctor in Texas?

    Vivian Abrams DPM

    9 10

    I still recommend you see another doctor. Filing a complaint isn’t going to help your present situation. Truthfully, I do not run this site and answer these posts hoping to cause problems. If you live near where I practice I would offer to evaluate your foot and discuss what I felt was going on with you in person.

    Avatar

    9 10

    Where are you located? I saw the pain management doctor and he wants to do a lumbar sympathetic block on me. I then went back and saw my DPM and he got mad cause I was asking him why my toe was so red and swollen so he walked out without answering anything at all. I plan to call my insurance for a 2nd opinion this coming week, but I can barely walk now… I’m walking on the side of my foot. I am afraid that I am going to end up messing it up having to do it cause I can’t walk normally anymore. I don’t know what to do at this point…should I start using my crutches again? Again thank you for your help.

    Avatar

    9 10

    It would be a 4-5 hour drive for me to come see you.. I’m in San Antonio. I know for a fact I couldn’t make the drive with the way my foot is now. I do want to say thank you for the help you have given me. It is truly appreciated. I plan to call first thing Monday and get a 2nd opinion and find out about what I can do at this point. My ankle already feels like I have a slight sprain in it from walking on the side of my foot. I don’t see any hope but maybe the pain management doctor will have something for me.. I don’t have another week of walking the way I am now. It is really scary for me cause I’m only 20 and hoping I’ll be back to normal eventually. Again thank you for your time and advice.

    Vivian Abrams DPM

    9 10

    You are welcome.

    Avatar

    9 10

    I went back to my DPM today and he did some kind of block in the office and a steroid injection also…the thing I worry/wonder is why he won’t answer and walks out when I ask him why my toe keeps turning red and swelling..how do I ask this question so he will answer? I’m guessing he can’t give me an answer but shouldn’t he tell me he doesn’t know if that is the case? Please help. I’m also back on the crutches and have it ace wrapped, its helping some..since I’m still numb. Again thank you for all your advice and help with this matter.

    Vivian Abrams DPM

    9 10

    I am not a big fan of ignoring a patient’s question. I can not answer this for you since I am not there. I hope the injection helps you. I feel that if you are not improving- still consider getting another opinion. Good luck.

    Avatar

    9 10

    I had a lumbar sympathetic block Friday… It didn’t help…is there anything more I can try? I can’t walk at all now and don’t know what to do. Also I have a rash of some sort on both sides or my foot that has blisters.. It itches, burns and is very painful to touch. Do you know what this may be? It showed up over night with no warning. Again thank you for all your help.

    Vivian Abrams DPM

    9 10

    Without seeing this I can not say for sure, but one thing that strikes me as a possibility is Shingles. Have you seen a neurologist?

    Avatar

    9 10

    The only doctors I have seen for this is the DPM that did the winnograd hallux and now a pain management doctor. What would be the reason for seeing a neurologist?

    Avatar

    9 10

    The pain management doc and DPM say this is nerve pain. The lumbar sympathetic block didn’t help and the pain is now more intense, is there anything else that can be tried? I’m on 600mg neurontin 3x a day and oxycontin 20mg every 8 hrs. I also had to sign a contract agreeing to no longer drive. I can no long walk on this foot. I’m miserable and want to be “normal” again. If there is ANYTHING please let me know.

    Vivian Abrams DPM

    9 10

    For another perspective on the situation.

    Avatar

    9 10

    I went to my PCP today and they think this rash is schingles. But I still can’t walk on my foot at all now. Being that the sympathetic block didn’t work is there any hope of something else that will allow me to ever be pain free again or at least walk again that you know of? The PCP recommended a nerve study…a EMG/something I can’t remember. If you know of anything that may help let me know. I also made an appt. with a neurologist but I won’t be seen for a month.

    Vivian Abrams DPM

    9 10

    Do you have a friendly pharmacist who does compounding? That is where they custom blend topical medications in a gel base. Not all pharmacists do. If you can find one, ask them about any mixtures they have made up for situations like yours. If you can find one, ask him/her for a suggestion and get your doctor to write for it. Probably your insurance won’t pay for it. I have had mine make up various mixtures with local anesthetics, antiinflammatories, muscle relaxers etc. You might be able to rub this mixture on your toe and get some relief.P.S. I am sorry you have Shingles. I know this is quite painful.

    Avatar

    9 10

    My DPM did order me a compound from a Pharmacy called Nucara. It is a amitriptyline, baclofen, ketamine compound. It didn’t help at all and I was allergic to the sulfa in the base they use so I can’t use it anyways. I’m so miserable with this foot that I’ve been so irritable and snapping at everyone. I’m so tired of this problem, I’m afraid I’ll never walk again. I don’t know what else to do or where else to turn for relief. I’m on Oxycontin but it only works for about 3-4 hrs and then I’m in pain for 4-5 more hrs before I can take more. I give up with this problem, no can help me anymore. Again thank you for all your advice.

    Avatar

    9 10

    Does shingles cause your entire foot to turn into blood blisters and/or blisters full of infection? I don’t think this is shingles the way I have the red rash with the blood and infection blisters consuming my foot. My entire foot is consumed by this except my hell now. It started with just the rash then blood blisters followed by the infection blisters. All the blisters feel like they are burning me. Please help. No one here in town seems to know what to do for me. If you wish to speak to me on the phone just send an email to the email address I provided and I’ll email you my phone number. Again thanks for all your help.

    Vivian Abrams DPM

    9 10

    I am in McKinney, TX which is about 25 miles north of Dallas.Usually you can find out online what other doctors participate in your insurance plan. Some will even list the credentials (i.e. board certified) In the interim, even without seeing you, I think it would be prudent to use crutches to help off load your weight. Walking on the side of your foot is going to hurt in another area.

    Avatar

    9 10

    I just read your post, and although it has been almost a year since you posted it, I wanted to let you know that you should be checked out for reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome, aka complex regional pain syndome. I had an arthrodesis performed on my big toe for hallux rigidus and developed this awful neurological condition as a complication. The pain is way out of purportion to the injury, usually occurs as a result of an injury or trauma or surgery to a hand or foot, color changes in the affected foot are common, as is swelling and extreme sensitivity to things that normally would not cause pain, even a breeze can be painful. Early diagnosis and treatment is imperative as once it centralizes, it is hard to treat. There is no known cure for RSD/CRPS. There are many web sites on this condition and if you did get referred to pain management, I hope that they did the appropriate testing to see if you have this condition. It is not one I would wish on my worst enemy. I have had it now for 6-1/2 years and can no longer work. Feel free to email me if you have any questions.

    Avatar

    9 10

    My son has been complaining of pain on the outside of his foot, his fifth metatarsal seems very bowed and is sometimes red and swollen. Even when it isnt swollen it sticks out alot.can you give me any ideas. He did injure that part of his foot about 12months ago but nothing showed on xray.

      Avatar

      9 10

      What is a nerve entrapment? You mentioned it when you wrote your responce back to me. This toe has been like beet red and swollen on the top mainly with the pain so bad lately I just sit and cry. I am still seeing my DPM but he thinks nothing is wrong I am being sent to a pain management doc. I just want some kind of relief, I’m sick of narcotics that don’t help anymore. I want a fix not a mind drug that just makes you forget your in pain. If you have any recommendations I’ll be more then happy to read them. Thank You Again. Karen S.

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