Pain in your big toe can be felt with every step. The big toe is continually bending up and down as we walk, making it prone to wear and tear. If you are suffering with soreness or pain at or around your big toe joint, it is important to see a podiatrist to ensure that your big toe pain is diagnosed correctly so effective treatment can be provided. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a world of difference in alleviating the symptoms through simple, conservative treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many possible causes for toe pain, including: an ingrown toenail, a fracture, a bunion, gout, sesamoiditis, or a form of degenerative arthritis known as hallux rigidus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ingrown Toenail<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Ingrown toenails<\/a> occur when the edges or corners of the toenail grow into the skin on the side of the nail. This causes pain, swelling, and tenderness, especially when pressure is put on the toe. Often an ingrown toenail is the result of improper nail trimming, but it can also be caused by wearing shoes that are too small.[i]<\/a> Often home treatments like soaking your foot in warm, soapy water will help, but if you\u2019ve developed an infection, your doctor might prescribe an antibiotic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Fracture<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n A sprained toe refers to a ligament injury whereas a broken toe\naffects the actual bone. Both are common causes of toe injuries. Both injuries\nare caused by trauma or hyperextension to the toe and can take several weeks to\nheal. While resting, icing, compressing and elevating are helpful, it\u2019s\nimportant to also visit a podiatrist who can properly diagnose and\ndifferentiate between sprain and brake to then recommend a safe, appropriate\ntreatment plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bunions<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bunions<\/a> generally form gradually over time as the big toe shifts position, with the top of the toe turning inwards, while the bottom of the toe pushes outwards, forming a lump. Bunion pain is typically located around the joint or within the joint and may also travel into the arch of the foot.[ii]<\/a> Bunions most commonly affect females and are often due to wearing ill-fitting shoes. However, they can be genetic or related to arthritis.[iii]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Gout<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Gout is a metabolic condition that can affect the big toe joint. Gout\noccurs when uric acid builds up in a person’s blood, forming crystals which\nthen get deposited into a joint, commonly the big toe joint.[iv]<\/a>\nSymptoms of gout include a red, hot, and intensely painful joint. If gout goes\nuntreated and occurs repeatedly for a number of years, joint damage may occur.\nIn addition, gout tophi may form, which are visible or palpable urate deposits\nseen on the toe.[v]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sesamoiditis<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n When the two sesamoid boned, located under the joint at the base of\nthe big toes and enveloped within the tendons under the big toe, get inflamed,\nthe condition is called sesamoiditis. Sesamoiditis can be caused by acute\ninjury or chronic overuse.[vi]<\/a>\nSesamoid problems are usually detectable by a\ncareful history and examination by a podiatrist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Athritis<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n The most common place to get arthritis in the foot is at the base of\nthe big toe in the metatarsophalangeal joint.[vii]<\/a>\nWith arthritis, the cartilage that lines this joint gets damaged and\nosteophytes (small lumps of bone) form. This results in stiffening of the big\ntoe. Arthritis in your toe may be linked with foot injuries or episodes of\ngout, but it can often develop with no obvious cause. Common symptoms include\nbig toe joint pain and inflammation. A painful grinding sensation, stiffness, and swelling\nmay also occur. Since symptoms for many of these injuries are similar, it\u2019s\nimportant to visit a podiatrist who can properly diagnose the pain and suggest\nan appropriate treatment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Toe pain is fairly common, because our feet are constantly exposed to\ninjury by walking, running, or other athletic activity. Once the big toe starts\nto hurt, it is obvious just how much we use it get around, bend over or even\nstand.[viii]<\/a>\nMany causes of big toe pain can be effectively managed or treated once\naccurately diagnosed. Visit a podiatrist to get a professional diagnosis if\nyou\u2019re experiencing pain, swelling, inflammation, or discomfort in your big\ntoe. Many treatments are simple and non-invasive. However, if left untreated,\nmore drastic measures may be necessary, so don\u2019t wait to make an appointment\nwith your podiatrist. Happy, healthy toes are critical to your comfortable\nmobility. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Get to the root cause of why you have pain in your big toe with Corona Foot and Ankle Group. Make an appointment HERE<\/a>. [i]<\/a> https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/swollen-big-toe#treatments<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n [ii]<\/a> https:\/\/showgroundspodiatry.com.au\/podiatry-treatments\/big-toe-pain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n [iii]<\/a> https:\/\/www.michfoot.com\/blog\/ask-the-podiatrist-what-is-this-pain-in-my-big-toe-when-walking<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n [iv]<\/a> Roddy E, Menz HB. Foot osteoarthritis: latest evidence and developments<\/a>. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis. 2018;10(4):91-103.\ndoi:10.1177\/1759720X17753337<\/p>\n\n\n\n [v]<\/a> https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/causes-of-pain-at-the-big-toe-joint-1337792#citation-2<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n [vi]<\/a> https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/sesamoiditis-2549927<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n [vii]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mich<\/a>foot.com\/blog\/ask-the-podiatrist-what-is-this-pain-in-my-big-toe-when-walking<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n [viii]<\/a> https:\/\/www.foothea<\/a>lthfacts.org\/article\/big-relief-is-in-sight-for-a-painful-big-toe<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Pain in your big toe can be felt with every…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6271,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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