OpenHealth Q&A

Get answered by medical professionals

Is It Common to Experience Toe Numbness for 5 Months and Lower Back Pain for 3 Months?

3/19/2025, 11:30:27 AMMale25-34

I'm a 21-year-old male, standing at 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 50 kilograms. For nearly five months, I've been experiencing numbness in the front of my left toe, which began after I tried on a pair of combat boots for the first time. Additionally, I have been suffering from lower back pain for the past three months, which I believe resulted from lifting heavy sacks of sand and gravel.

ArthritisCOPDRheumatology

Answers (1)

Cony

3/19/2025, 11:30:42 AM

OpenHealth AI

Experiencing toe numbness for five months along with lower back pain for three months can indicate underlying issues that need attention. These symptoms might be related but could arise from different causes. It's great that you're reaching out for insight on this.

Explanation:

  1. Toe Numbness: The numbness in your toe, especially after trying on new boots, may suggest that the footwear is causing compression of the nerves in your foot. It could also be related to a condition affecting nerve pathways, such as neuropathy, or mechanical pressure from your footwear.

  2. Lower Back Pain: Your lower back pain after lifting heavy sacks could be muscular strain. However, if it’s persistent, it might also indicate issues like a herniated disc or spinal strain.

Next Steps:

  1. Footwear Review: Check your shoes to ensure they fit well. Symptoms like toe numbness may improve with better-fitting shoes. Try using shoes that offer good arch support and avoid tightly fitting footwear.

  2. Posture and Lifting Technique: Reflect on your lifting technique when handling heavy objects. Ensure you bend at your knees and keep your back straight to reduce strain.

  3. Rest and Gentle Exercise: Resting the back and engaging in gentle stretching exercises can help alleviate pain. You might benefit from exercises that strengthen your core muscles, which support your back.

  4. Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of your symptoms, especially any changes or worsening. If the numbness persists or your back pain intensifies, these symptoms may require further evaluation.

  5. Self-Care for Pain: Consider applying heat or ice to your lower back for immediate relief. Gentle walking can help maintain circulation and reduce discomfort.

If your symptoms do not begin to improve with these measures, it would be advisable to seek medical attention for a full assessment. Your well-being is important, and addressing these issues sooner can prevent further complications.

Related Questions

Understanding Atrial Fibrillation and Thyroid Issues: Variability in Cardioversion Decisions

Hello everyone, I’m reaching out for guidance regarding my mother’s current health situation, and I’d greatly appreciate any shared experiences or thoughts. **My mother's background:** - **Age**: 55 years - **Weight**: Recently dropped to 116 kg from 118 kg in just two days, likely due to diuretics. - **Health history**: Previously an underactive thyroid, undiagnosed and untreated, now presenting as overactive. - **Medications**: Currently taking thyroid medication and a beta-blocker (Rapiblock). **Current health status:** My mother has been hospitalized since Tuesday, experiencing **atrial fibrillation with heart rates exceeding 200** beats per minute due to her thyroid's hyperactivity. - The plan for cardioversion was initially settled on Tuesday. However, the following day, the medical team advised postponing it until her thyroid levels could be stabilized, believing that her heart rate would return to normal once her thyroid condition was managed. - Her **obesity** precludes her from undergoing a transthoracic echocardiogram, and due to her thyroid concerns, she cannot handle contrast dye (this has been a consistent issue for over four years). Therefore, the only feasible option was a **transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)**, which has yet to be performed. - She has been prescribed various medications including beta-blockers and thyroid treatments in the past. - On Friday, a doctor proposed proceeding with cardioversion; however, the attending senior physician objected. - Today (Saturday), another clinician has expressed a desire to move forward with cardioversion, having initiated a new medication, as the senior physician is unavailable. - **Communication has been unclear**, as we were notified of developments by a nurse rather than the physician in charge, causing confusion and anxiety. - Currently, only a **chest X-ray** is scheduled, and the TEE remains unaddressed. **My inquiries are as follows:** 1. Is it common for medical professionals to have varying opinions and frequently revise medication or treatment plans like cardioversion? 2. Is it safe to conduct cardioversion in the absence of a TEE? I presumed that this was a standard procedure to exclude the presence of blood clots. 3. Is it usual practice to have only a chest X-ray prior to moving ahead with cardioversion? 4. How typical is it for patients or their families to not be directly informed about treatment changes and learn about them through nursing staff instead? I recognize that this cannot substitute for professional medical advice. I’m simply trying to discern whether these circumstances are typical or if we should express our concerns more assertively with the healthcare facility. Thank you for your insights!

Thyroid DisordersEndocrinologyRheumatology
Male25-34
41 minutes ago

Concerns About My Toes

Age: 30, Female Currently, I am on the lookout for a reputable podiatrist in my vicinity. However, I've encountered a perplexing issue with my foot. Just last night, I noticed a growth on the side of my toe, something entirely new to me. I maintain a nutritious diet and have a demanding job that requires me to be on my feet quite often. My footwear includes brands such as Brooks Ghost Runners, Hoka Bondi 9’s, and Nike Motiva’s, and I don’t opt for restrictive socks. I also apply Vick’s Vaporub to my feet, a practice handed down from my family, and stick with simple, non-fragrant lotions like Vanicream and CeraVe SA Cream for my skin. In addition, I am curious about the my big toenail's change in color. What might be the underlying reasons for this? Also, I have these persistent dark spots on my toes that I've struggled with since my days on the runway. Despite my efforts, nothing has succeeded in lightening or diminishing their appearance. I'm just looking to determine if there might have been a factor from the past that could have contributed to these issues. I’m not sure what else to include, but I’m open to answering any questions you might have. Thank you for your attention! Best wishes from a worried soul!

ArthritisFibromyalgiaInternal Medicine
Male25-34
2 hours ago

Strange Jelly-Like Substance Observed from Wound

I’m a 21-year-old female living with an auto-inflammatory condition known as hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Recently, I've experienced a concerning issue with one of my wounds. This particular wound causes significant pain and excessive bleeding. However, whenever I attend to it, I tend to find this unusual jelly-like substance present within it. Interestingly, this phenomenon has only occurred with this one wound and not any of the others I have. The bleeding seems to persist until I manage to remove this jelly substance, after which it typically slows down and comes to a halt completely. I’m seeking insights into what this might signify so that I can effectively discuss it with my healthcare provider.

ArthritisFibromyalgiaInternal Medicine
Male25-34
4 hours ago

Strange Stomach Sensation Leading to Waking Up

Greetings. I'm a 36-year-old male, standing at 172 centimeters and weighing 90 kilograms. I don't take any medications, nor do I smoke. I've been living with diastasis recti for several years now, and I may also have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Additionally, I deal with fatty liver and kidney stones, though I assume these last two conditions are not related to my current concern. Occasionally, I experience a peculiar sensation that jolts me awake; it feels like a quick pulsing in my stomach. I’ve noticed it tends to affect the left side when I’m lying on my left side and the right side when on my right. Remarkably, it can occur even when I’m on my back. This strange feeling often escalates into a surge that fully rouses me. Alongside this, I sometimes feel prickling sensations throughout my body and fleeting lightheadedness. When this sensation disturbs my sleep while I’m turned to my side, shifting onto my back or the opposite side might alleviate it, but not always. In instances where I awaken while lying on my back, I discovered that gently pressing my hands on either side of my stomach can help, as can rising to a sitting or standing position. However, during my last two episodes—one a couple of weeks ago and another tonight—those techniques weren’t effective right away, which made me feel a bit anxious, prompting me to seek advice. Does anyone have insight into what might be going on? By the way, I’ve undergone routine ultrasound examinations of my abdomen by two different physicians during check-ups, both of whom assured me that everything appears normal, including my abdominal aorta and internal organs. They didn’t identify any issues at that time.

LupusCrohn's DiseaseRheumatology
Male25-34
5 hours ago

Understanding Tuberculosis Exposure Risk

A 26-year-old male, who neither drinks alcohol nor smokes, seeks to understand the implications of exposure to tuberculosis (TB). As an anesthesia technician, I became concerned after I encountered a TB-positive patient about a month ago. I had to enter the patient’s room several times to perform blood gas tests. On my first entry, I mistakenly wore my N95 mask incorrectly due to the hectic nature of attending to multiple rooms. From my research, it appears that TB is quite transmissible; direct exposure can pose a serious risk of infection. Transmission usually requires prolonged contact with an infected individual, particularly in a close or face-to-face setting. In this case, the patient was lying face down and appeared to be sleeping when I entered. I have already undergone testing for TB, but I am eager to deepen my understanding of the risks involved in these situations.

COPDInternal MedicineEndocrinology
Male25-34
5 hours ago