Your big toe is the most commonly injured toe on your foot, and it can be injured in a number of different ways. We see a wide variety of big toe conditions in our line of work, and today, we wanted to share five of the most common conditions we see in our office. Below, you can check out five common conditions that affect your great toe.

Five Big Toe Problems

If you’re dealing with pain and discomfort in your big toe, odds are you are bothered by one of these five foot conditions.

1. Fractures – If you’ve ever suffered a severe stubbed toe, or if you’ve dropped something heavy on your toe, you may have experienced a big toe fracture. Big toe fractures can be painful and they may take a while to heal, but the good news is that they often heal with rest, ice, compression and elevation. Severely displaced fractures may need surgery, but most heal just fine with basic conservative care techniques.

2. Bunions – Although bunions can form on your pinky toe (called a bunionette), they most commonly form on the joint of your big toe. They are associated with the formation of a bony prominence on the outside of the big toe joint, and they are usually painful or uncomfortable. Some conservative care modifications like shoe inserts, weight loss and anti-inflammatory medications can help ease symptoms, but they won’t fully correct a significant bunion. For those, a minimally invasive surgical procedure works wonders.

3. Big Toe Arthritis – Another condition that Dr. Silverman specializes in treating is big toe arthritis. Big toe arthritis occurs after years of stress on the joint, and it’s not something that can be reversed with simple solutions.

4. Toenail Problems – From an ingrown toenail to a toenail infection, your nail beds can take a beating. Toenail infections can typically be treated with a topical cream, but an ingrown toenail may need a little more hands-on care. If you can’t free the ingrown toenail on your own, a foot specialist can cut away the problemed nail and free you from your discomfort.

5. Gout – Finally, gout is a problem that is caused by a poor diet and lack of exercise. It is caused by high levels of uric acid in the big toe joint, which crystallizes and leads to inflammation in the joint. It can oftentimes be treated with exercise and dietary changes, or your foot specialist may prescribe certain medications to help combat the buildup of uric acid in your system.

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Common Causes of Great Toe Arthritis

Here’s a look at five conditions that can lead to the onset of big toe arthritis.

1. Gout – Gout is a medical condition that develops when uric acid builds up in a joint. The most common place for these uric acid crystals to develop is in the joint of the big toe, and they can cause pain and inflammation in the area. If the condition becomes chronic and damages the joint, arthritis can set in. Eat a healthy diet, get plenty of exercise and avoid excess alcohol intake if you want to steer clear of gout.

2. Injury – An acute injury to your big toe or the joint can also lead to great toe arthritis. If the trauma damages the joint and you fail to partake in physical therapy, you can lose range of motion and develop arthritis. It’s not always possible to prevent toe injuries, but be sure to wear appropriate footwear for your activities.

3. Bunions – Some people may be surprised to learn that bunions can also lead to the development of big toe arthritis. Bunions are bony growths that can shift the natural alignment of the big toe, and if left untreated, that can lead to long term joint damage and arthritis. In order to avoid big toe arthritis caused by bunions, wear loose fitting shoes, limit time spent in heels or narrow-toed shoes, and head to a foot specialist if you notice a bunion beginning to develop.

4. Sesamoiditis – Sesamoiditis is a condition where the two sesamoid bones under your big toe become inflamed. Similar to the above problems, if the issue is left untreated, pain can develop and you can lose mobility in the joint. Sesamoiditis is often caused by overuse or repetitive trauma and is often seen in dancers and basketball players. Work in some foot strengthening exercises and give your feet a break every once in a while to prevent sesamoiditis.

5. Turf Toe – Turf toe is technically a joint injury caused by trauma, so while it could fall into the second category, we thought is deserved a category of its own. Turf toe is common in athletes who play sports with quick turns and cuts, like football and soccer. It’s often caused by repeatedly ramming your toe into the end of your shoe while you move, or putting acute pressure on the area time and time again. Wear the right size boots and visit a doctor if toe pain sets in after athletic activity.

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Osteoarthritis of the Big Toe

The most common type of arthritis that affects a person’s big toe is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is categorized as a degeneration of articular cartilage in the toe joint, and it can set in for a number of different reasons. Some common causes of arthritic degeneration of the big toe joint include:

Acute Trauma – Acute trauma like a toe fracture or dislocation can damage vital structures in the joint and lead to its degeneration.

Related Foot Condition – Certain genetic conditions or gait problems can affect the way pressure is distributed to the joint, causing it to break down quicker.

Age – Over the years, our toes experience minute trauma with each step we take. That takes a toll on our feet over the decades, and eventually can lead to joint inflammation and arthritis.

Bone Spurs – Bone spurs aren’t all that common in the toe, but if they irritate the toe joint, it can lead to a breakdown of healthy tissue and the onset of osteoarthritis.

Surgery is typically the optimal route for treating moderate or severe cases of big toe arthritis, and Dr. Silverman would be more than happy to walk you through your options should your condition reach this stage. For more information, reach out to Dr. Silverman by filling out this contact form.

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