HomeAnswersOrthopedician and TraumatologynumbnessWhy is my foot turning dark purple or black when it is not grounded?

I hurt my foot four days back, and now it turns dark purple or black when it is not grounded. Why?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Answered by

Dr. Atul Prakash

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Sneha Kannan

Published At October 19, 2020
Reviewed AtDecember 15, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I am a 18-year-old and I hurt my foot four days back due to tumbling. I was doing a flip and landed in a pothole. My foot got hurt bad and I was able to ignore it. The next day, when I stepped down I got extreme pain and I still walked with it on that day. I went to urgent care after a day and the doctor told me that it was not broken and it was fine. But I was given an ace bandage wrap and I was on crutches. Yesterday, I noticed that when I keep my foot down during sitting in a chair or using crutches, my foot turned dark purple and my toes turned black. When I elevate it or without hanging it, the discoloration goes away. But today, my foot has fallen asleep more than ten times in an hour and I was not able to keep it awake. The color change is still occurring and it is cold to touch it. The other foot is warm. I am wondering whether it is normal for a sprain or should I need to look at it again.

Answered by Dr. Atul Prakash

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

You are having dysvascular changes as you have noticed the color returned back to normal when you kept the legs elevated. Foot going to sleep is a nerve pressure symptom and again regular changes in position will help it as the pressure from sitting on the bum can compress the nerves. If the changes in a position does not help you, then you can see a doctor and get examined. In the meantime, continue icing the sore area.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Atul Prakash
Dr. Atul Prakash

Orthopedician and Traumatology

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