Can severe scar tisse on bottom of big toe cause flexor tendonitis?

[john3j]

Hello,

I just got back from the podiatrist today and thought I would reach out and try to figure out what is going on with my foot.  I am trying to be more educated when I go back so that I can make sure I get the proper treatment so I can get this taken care of asap.

Background:  When I was 2 years old, my parents left shoes on my feet that didnt fit,  causing blisters that got infected.  I was in intensive care for a week due to the infection and almost lost my leg, or so I was told.  The plastic surgeon at the time said that the skin on the bottom of my toe would regenerate itself and would look normal when I got older.  It does not look better now, in fact, scar tissue is very thick on the bottom of my big toe and the toe is always bent at the joint, and the toe cannot straighten.  About a year ago I was at work and stepped on a curb and felt a pop in my forefoot area.  Ever since, my foot has hurt, mainly when I am active, but over time it hurts more frequently.  I am 24 now, and can only run or walk for short distances before the ball of my foot area hurts badly.  With rest, the pain tends to subside, but if i move just right when walking, it sends a sudden pain under the ball of my foot.

Present:  Xrays were taken showing no issues with the bones.  Doctor had wrapped foot for a week with kiniseo tape and a pad under arch of foot and gave anti inflammatories.  This did not help, bought metatarsal pad to put in shoe and it seemed to help, but when active,  it still hurts.  Doctor has said I had distal faciitis.  I had later taped my foot according to a video on youtube for "turf toe".  I asked the doctor about possibilities of sesamoiditis and metatarsalgia, which he said it couldnt be.  When my foot has not been overused, it is hard for the doctor to recreate the pain.  All pain comes from the ball of the foot area.  After going back today, the doctor said that with the severe scarring and scar tissue underneath the toe, he thinks it may have caused flexor tendonitis.  He said he thought it was that because it hurts when i push off when walking or running for a long period of time.  He put  a pad in my shoe and said that I should wear it for two weeks then come back.  He also said that I should have had the plastic surgery as a child so that I wouldnt have all of the scar tissue, and said that my big toe is almost turning into a hammer toe, but he called it something else that starts with a c.  He said the pad he put in my shoe is supposed to make my big toe almost float.  I am still puzzled as to why i never had the issue of pain until I hurt my foot almost a year ago.  The doctor said that if the pad works and relieves the pain that we will go the custom orthodics route.  He said if it doesnt, I am probably looking at surgery.  He was talking about fusing the joint in my toe to straighten the toe.  He also mentioned removing the scar tissue on the bottom of the toe, and using a skin graft.  He said the problem with that is that with skin grafts you get scar tissue too.  He also said something about lengthening the toe.  I am just confused as to what the real cause of the pain is, and what is going to have to be done to fix it.  Can anybody please give me some info or insight with my given situation?

Thanks,

John