Unable to flex foot after a night of ankle pain, foot is cold to the touch, can this be from being on my feet all day?

by Denise
(Trenton, NJ)

This started New Years Eve. I had moderate inner-ankle pain in my left foot.

I didn't twist it, but over the years whenever running, this ankle would often give out.

I took ballet from 4th to 10th grade, so I thought I had weakened my ankles. I am now 51.

New Years Day I woke up and I could not flex my foot upwards at all. Since then, when I try to flex it upwards, my bones on the top of my foot sort of pop up (I'm not sure how to explain).

The color in my left foot is very pale compared to the right, and the toes just bunch together and sort of flop downwards. My left foot is cold to the touch. My sister said my foot looks "dead" compared to the right foot. I just started working in a supermarket and am on my feet in the dairy cooler for the most part.

I am not sure if this might have something to do with it. I wear warm boots in there, but they don't give me too much support. I cannot walk on this foot too well as my heel doesn't want to seem to completely touch the ground. No more pain in the ankle, except in the a.m. rising out of bed. I have no insurance, but may be getting a new job soon which qualifies me for health insurance in 3 months. My sister doesn't want me to wait that long.

Can this be from working in the cold and on my feet all day?



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Joshua Answers:


Hi Denise.

No, working in the cold and being on your feet all day won't cause that.

From what you've described to me, I very much agree with your sister.

I'm also clear that what you're describing is not at all tendonitis related, or in my realm of expertise.

It sounds vascular (blocked artery) or neurological. My first thought was something like Drop Foot, like you get after a stroke or other neurological damage.

My ER nurse wife is sitting here, and she (and I) think you need to get this checked out. If money's an issue, don't feel bad about going to the ER. They will treat you regardless of money/income/insurance.

And there's financial people there to talk to about that kind of thing.

My point is, you need this looked at, and they'll look at it. (And in fact, they have to.)

And go during the day, not at night, as there will likely be a Neurologist available (more staff available during the day).

Ultrasound test for vascular blockage. Catscan to check for stroke.

Maybe I'm off here, but you said you can't lift your toes at all, that one foot is cold and not the other and that it looks 'dead' compared to the other.

To me these are NOT NORMAl signs, significantly so, and point to getting yourself to a doctor. Waiting 3 months may be a very bad idea.


Good luck, and let me know how it goes.






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Joshua Tucker, B.A., C.M.T.
The Tendonitis Expert
www.TendonitisExpert.com