Your big toe might be small, but big toe pain is no small issue! If your big toe is in pain, it’s important to find out what the underlying issue is and treat it as soon as possible. At Foot & Ankle Specialists of Illinois, we are the experts in diagnosing and treating the common causes of big toe pain. Some common causes of big toe pain include an injury or a minor underlying medical condition. Arthritis, ingrown toenails, and gout all may cause pain in the big toe. In this article, we will discuss the symptoms and possible treatments for big toe pain.
Common Questions About Big Toe Pain, Answered
Let’s answer a few of the questions we receive about big toe pain on a regular basis:
Why Does My Big Toe Hurt?
If you find yourself wondering “why does my big toe hurt?”, you might be in need of medical treatment. The first step is to identify the cause of your big toe pain so that we can determine the best way to treat it.
What If I Have a Swollen Big Toe?
A swollen big toe could be the result of an injury, infection, or an underlying condition like arthritis. If you have a swollen big toe that doesn’t go away or is accompanied by pain and other worrisome symptoms, consider visiting us.
Common Causes of Big Toe Pain
There are several different causes of big toe pain, and some of the symptoms and treatments of each:
Fracture
Big toe fractures are an all-too-common occurrence. According to one study, broken toes account for approximately nine percent of fractures treated. You might suffer a fracture in your big toe if you kick a hard object, drop a heavy object on your toe, or repeatedly perform a movement that puts pressure on the toe. You might notice pain, swelling, and/or discoloration if you have a fractured big toe.
Bunion
A bunion is a deformity of the joint at the base of the big toe. Bunions are a frequent cause of pain in the big toe. It’s easy to know if you have a bunion. If you have a bunion, the joint protrudes outward and creates a bump that you can see on the side of your foot. Bunions cause pain, inflammation, and swelling. In order to alleviate the symptoms, wear shoes that do not put additional pressure on the joint. Look for a flexible and wide sole. There are several non-surgical bunion treatments available, like warm soaks, icing the joint, massage, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen, and bunion pads.
Hallux Rigidus
The most common cause of arthritis pain at the base of the big toe is hallux rigidus. Symptoms of hallux rigidus include swelling near the joint of your big toe, a painful bump on top of the joint, and having trouble moving your big toe. This condition affects 2.5% of people over age 50. Treatments include icing or heating, pain relievers, plasma injections, and also surgical options, including fusing the joint, removal of any bone spurs, and joint replacement.
Ingrown Toenails
An ingrown toenail is another common cause of pain in the big toe. You might suffer from an ingrown toenail if you cut it too short or it curves in too far. If you wear tight shoes, it might aggravate or cause an ingrown toenail. You might have an ingrown toenail if you have a swollen big toe that is hard or tender, soreness, skin darkening, or pus oozing from the area. Most ingrown toenails can be treated with pain relievers, soaking the toe in a warm bath several times a day, keeping the foot dry and removing sweaty socks, and wearing comfy, breathable shoes. But for a persistent ingrown toenail, surgical options might become necessary.
Gout
Gout is a painful type of inflammatory arthritis that causes pain in one joint at a time, oftentimes the big toe joint. It occurs when uric acid builds up in your joints. Symptoms of gout include inflammation that causes skin darkening, swelling, or warming at the joint; intense pain first thing in the morning or the middle of the night; and shiny skin over the affected joint. To treat gout, it’s important to drink lots of fluids, elevate the foot, rest, and take medications to treat inflammation and pain.
Turf Toe
If you are an athlete, the cause of your big toe pain might be turf toe. Turf toe is an injury to the joint of the big toe that happens during a sporting activity. Typically, turf toe occurs when you repeatedly bend the big toe upward or jam it. It is especially frequent in athletes who play on artificial turf, hence the name turf toe. Typically, the pain and swelling associated with turf toe will build up gradually over time. If you have turf toe, you may also notice swelling and loss of mobility in the joint. The best treatment for turf toe is to stop the activity that is hurting the toe. You will want to try wearing less flexible shoes when playing sports. In extreme cases of turf toe, you might require surgery.
Sesamoiditis
The sesamoids are the bones that connect to tendons or are embedded in muscles. A kneecap is one example of a sesamoid. You also have a sesamoid below the big toe. When the tendons around the sesamoid below your big toe become infected or irritated, sesamoiditis occurs. This condition is common for runners and ballet dancers. If you have sesamoiditis, you might have bruising, swelling, pain on the ball of the foot, trouble moving your big toe, and/or gradual buildup of pain. There are several possible treatments for sesamoiditis, including strapping, padding, or taping of the toe or foot; physical therapy; custom orthopedic devices; steroid injections; or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain and swelling.
Get Treatment for Big Toe Pain at Foot & Ankle Specialists of Illinois
If you are having big toe pain, it’s time to book an appointment to see us at Foot & Ankle Specialists of Illinois. Oftentimes, the cause is easy to treat and extremely curable. Give us a call today at (847) 780-9330 or send us a text at (847) 780-9330.
