Foot pain can manifest in countless ways, but for some, their smallest toe is the one that’s causing the most discomfort. If you’re dealing with foot pain in your pinky toe or along the outside of your foot, you’re not alone. Many active individuals develop pain in this area for one reason or another, and in today’s blog, we take a closer look at some of the causes and treatment options for pain in your pinky toe and along the outside of your foot.
Causes Of Pinky Toe And Outside Of Foot Pain
Pain along the outside of your foot and symptoms in your pinky toe can lead to a few different issues, including:
Bunionette – A bunionette can develop when the little toe joint shifts out of place. Like a number of conditions on this list, this is typically caused by ill-fitting shoes that are too tight. Tight shoes are more likely to cause a bunion on your big toe joint, but they can also develop in bunionette form on your pinky toe joint.
Hammertoes – Hammertoes or claw toes also tend to be more common on longer toes, but overly tight shoes can force toes to curl under one another due to lack of space, irritating or damaging soft tissues in the area.
Peroneal Tendon Damage – One of your peroneal tendons runs down the outside of your foot as it attaches to your pinky toe, and so symptoms in the outside of your foot and your pinky toe can oftentimes be the result of peroneal tendon issues. Damage to the area or inflammation as a result or ill-fitting shoes or overstress can lead to problems with the peroneal tendon.
Fractures – If you’ve ever stubbed your toe on a table or managed to drop a heavy piece of equipment on your pinky toe, you know how painful an injury to your little toe can be. Small fractures are a common source of little toe pain.
Arthritis – Finally, some older adults may notice symptoms of arthritis in their little toe. Pain, stiffness, and swelling after activity are common signs that there is some arthritic degeneration happening in the area, and while it can’t be reversed, it can usually be managed with a little foresight.
Preventing And Treating Pinky Toe Pain
Preventing pinky toe and peroneal tendon pain really comes down to being mindful about the position you put your foot in. For starters, always make sure that you are wearing comfortable and supportive shoes that are not too narrow near the toe box. Narrow shoes or overly tight options will put increased strain on the sides of your feet, and your big toe and pinky toe will be the most impacted by this. The best thing you can do for your pinky toe and the outside of your foot is to ensure your footwear protects and supports these areas.
Next, make sure that you give your feet time to recover after strenuous activity. Peroneal tendonitis is an overstress injury, and you need to give the tendon time to recover after intense exercise or periods of increased activity. Listen to your feet and back off on the activity if you’re noticing pain in these areas.
It may also be wise to consider some low-impact exercises. Running or high-impact exercises will amplify the forces on your pinky toe and peroneal tendon. Cycling, swimming or walking will be less stressful and still provide you with a solid workout.
Finally, consider touching base with your physician or foot specialist if your pinky toe pain becomes chronic or is getting worse. Pinky pain is far from the most debilitating condition, but if you don’t take care of the issue while it’s in its infancy, it can worsen and make every step uncomfortable. Reach out to a foot specialist if you’re having a tough time getting past your toe issues.
If you need foot care here in the Scottsdale area, we hope you’ll connect with Dr. Silverman and the team at OrthoArizona. Give our team a call today at (602) 648-5444.