After several months of begging, my mother finally went to see a podiotrist about her foot. She has developed a hard lump on top of her toe next to the pinky toe. It's near the joint that attaches the toe to the foot. That toe has also started to curl in and she cant bend it. After taking x-rays he told her that in 18yrs of practice he had never seen anything like this. He said it looked as if the joint is being eaten away. The hard lump did not show up on the x-ray so its not bone. He called her primary doc to get permission for an mri since it wont be covered under diagnostic for podiotry. He said no way and wants her to see an orthopedic surgeon. She still doesnt know what it is and is real worried now. Has anyone seen anything like this?