An underlying medical condition may cause pain in the big toe. These can consist of arthritis, gout, or an injury that is the result of a fracture. A bunion may cause big toe pain and is generally felt on the bottom of the toe. Additionally, a source of toe pain can come from an ingrown toenail and this may cause difficulty in walking. Intense pain in the toe can be a result of gout, which can develop from excess uric acid in the blood. Crystals can form in the joints of the big toe and this often causes severe pain and discomfort. People who frequently participate in sporting activities may experience turf toe. This comes from being involved in repetitive activities and can cause the big toe to bend in an abnormal position. The sesamoid bones are found inside the muscles and are connected to tendons. Sesamoiditis can develop from inflamed tendons under the big toe as a result of repetitive use. If you have toe pain, please seek the counsel of a podiatrist who can accurately confirm its source, and provide effective treatment methods.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact one of our doctors of Coral Desert Foot & Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Trauma
• Sports injury
• Wearing shoes that are too tight
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Corns and calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Blisters
• Ingrown toenails
• Sprains
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

• Severe pain
• Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
• Signs of infection
• Continued swelling
• Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in St. George and Kanab, UT, and Mesquite, NV . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.