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Big toe won't bend much. What's wrong?

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Posted 7/26/2019 11:29 AM (GMT 0)
about three weeks ago, crossing the street, I picked up speed as a traffic light changed. I suddenly felt a pain in my left foot big toe. Soon after I examined the foot and couldn't bend the big toe. I went to the ER and an X-ray didn't show any break. The toe has not changed much. Bends only slightly. No pain. WHAT can it be?
Posted 7/26/2019 1:47 PM (GMT 0)
Gosh, I have no idea! Is the toe swollen? What does your doctor say? Were you referred to another doctor, maybe an ortho? It's strange that there's no pain now but it hurt when it happened, like it's a sprain?

So you have diabetes?
Posted 7/26/2019 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
I have somewhat high glucose, maybe pre diabetes. Are my symptoms related?
So I should consult an orthopedist?
In the ER they didn't think it gout or arthritis but suggested a uric acid test to make sure about gout.
Posted 7/26/2019 6:32 PM (GMT 0)
Eric, I don't know and please remember that no one here is a doctor. I'm trying to figure out why it seems you were not given any direction by a doctor. For example, what kind of doctor should you see, what kinds of tests should you have, etc. I know of two people who've had gout and it's extremely painful but there is treatment and changes of diet. A GP can order a complete blood test and among everything else, uric acid levels can be tested. I asked if you had swelling. Could this be related to arthritis or rheumatism? So, the bottom line for me is that you should have been given better direction/instructions for follow-up care. The ER normally does this, however.

You ask if it's related to diabetes. I don't think so, but, again, I'm not a doctor. If your glucose levels have been elevated in the past, that would mean to me that you should have some blood tests and since you're dealing with the toe problem, now is a good time!

How is the toe now?
Posted 7/26/2019 9:20 PM (GMT 0)
We can only guess. Internet or even books are kinda dangerous for self-diagnosis. One easily starts reading into the listed symptoms and finds every single one of them in themselves. It's better a doctor connected the dots.

Anyhow, I'm type 1 diabetic and I had a frozen shoulder. That was quite painful though so that's not it but do let me share anyways because I've been told diabetics (T1?) get diagnosed with this condition often. I was already in physiotherapy because of back pain. During therapy this guy is putting me through quite the bends and then he notices that my shoulder has a very noticeable limitation in movement. My shoulder gradually got stiffer and stiffer and I couldn't really bend it, least of all behind my back. It was difficult to even lie down because the shoulder really was quite painful. It took a few years to get better. I've never heard of a frozen toe though.
Posted 7/27/2019 10:26 PM (GMT 0)
I appreciate the responses I've received. I am not in any pain and continue to walk several miles a day but the tow has lost flexibility. I will do a blood test for glucose and uric acid and report the results here. Thank you.
Posted 7/28/2019 2:27 AM (GMT 0)
Eric, I think you might benefit from a complete lab test, maybe both blood and urine. Gout is caused by high uric acid in the blood so a blood test will give you that answer but gout is very painful according to what I've read.

You wrote the ER took x-rays but said your toe was not broken. If the toe is swollen, it would be difficult to bend the toe but you need to find out what's going on. I think you should start with your regular doctor and have these tests and discuss your toe problems. Let your regular doctor figure out what you need to do now, which doctor/specialist to see.

I hope you can find answers. Keep us updated!
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