Feels like toes swollen, but they aren't
 

Hi,

I tried search before posting. Here goes:

I have a tingling in big toe, and next 2 on both feet. Feels almost normal when i am barefoot, When i put on socks or shoes, it feels as if I have 20 toes on each side. Yet there isnt any apparent swelling or redness.

I think we have narrowed it down to either buging discs on l5-s1 on both sides or early stages of diabetes. Latest blood test showed I was near limits for diabetes. doc added metformin.

Back doc scheduled a EMG, we have baseline from earleir tests.

history: 4 bulging discs in 2003. had laminectomy l2-l3 right 2007. leaving 3 bulging discs. l5-s1 on both sides are the 2 worst. Over weight. no other diabetic symptoms. I do also have gout, went to rhuematologist, confirms no sign of arthritis in toes.

Any ideas on other options I can try?

the big toe...
 

will also refer pain from the knee.

When I had my right knee problems over 10 yrs ago...
massive swelling and pain, I went to an ortho who gave me Vioxx, and mri and said "synovitis".

I went to a chiro then, who adjusted that knee and all the pain in my toe went away in seconds! There is a dermatome that goes to the big toe. So yes, it can be referred:

http://www.webmanmed.com/painrefer_files/frntderm.html
click on image to enlarge.

Dermatome to big toe is L4
Dermatome to middle toes L5

But remember if your knee is swollen or a problem it could be complicating things.

Thank you for this info. I'll bring it up with my Chiro and see what he can do.

PN can also mimic swollen feeling in feet/toes without apparent swelling.
I have this constantly. My feet also burn and are at the same time cold,
or alternately hot & cold causing me to shift my feet from under the covers, to outside the covers when trying to sleep- or waking to have to shift feet from under, or out of the covers. Many times I have to use 'Icy Hot' (or generic) to help - when burning symptom occurs.