The biggest toe on our foot is also the one that most commonly ends up injured or hurting, but tissue damage to the big toe can come in many different forms. Sometimes the issue is housed in the big toe joint, while other times it’s under the nail or on the skin. Figuring out exactly what you’re dealing with makes it easier to pursue the optimal treatment path, so with that in mind, we use today’s blog to spotlight five common causes of big toe discomfort.
Why Is My Big Toe Hurting?
Let’s look at some of the most common reasons patients present to Dr. Silverman’s office with big toe pain:
1. Bunions – Bunions occur when the big toe joint shifts out of its natural position. Typically caused by ill-fitting or overly tight shoes, pressure on the big toe joint pushes the big toe inward and causes the joint to shift outward, leading to the formation of a bony prominence on the side of the base of your big toe. Bunions can’t be returned to their correct position without surgery, so working to prevent the condition and slow down its progression is essential.
2. Ingrown Toenail – Another issue that is commonly the result of shoes that are too tight is the ingrown toenail. Instead of growing forward, the toenail ends up growing into the side of the skin near the nail, leading to redness, swelling and the potential for infection. You can follow these tips to attempt to resolve an ingrown toenail on your own, or you can have them professionally addressed by a specialist like Dr. Silverman.
3. Osteoarthritis – Damage to the big toe joint can lead to wear and tear to the cartilage and other protective structures in the area. This can lead to joint degeneration, making simple movements or bearing stress through the joint painful. Maintaining an ideal weight, getting regular exercise, wearing fitted orthotics and pursuing toe-based physical therapy exercises can all help to prevent and treat osteoarthritis of the big toe to retain flexibility and function.
4. Gout – Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by the formation of crystal deposits in the joint, which then irritate soft tissues during movement. These crystal formations are made of uric acid, and you have more uric acid in your bloodstream when you consume a diet that has heavy amounts of alcohol and red meat. Being mindful of your diet and getting regular exercise can help prevent uric acid buildup and more easily remove it from your body when it does develop.
5. Sesamoiditis – Sesamoiditis involves a swelling of the tendons surrounding a person’s sesamoid bones, which are two small bones located just beneath the big toe joint. It is a form of tendinitis and it can be challenging to overcome if you’re wearing the wrong shoes or you don’t give your feet ample time to rest and heal. Repetitive motion or excessive high-impact activity can lead to sesamoiditis, so give your feet time to rest after high-impact activity and limit strain on this area by wearing shoes designed for the activities you’ll be pursuing.
These are just a few of the more common big toe issues we see, but we also help patients overcome big toe bruises, fractures, infections and more, so reach out if your big toe is causing you pain. Give Dr. Silverman and the team at OrthoArizona a call today at (602) 648-5444.